What do I need to raise my handle bars/stem

[doran]

I'm a tall lad 6'4" and even though I have a large bike, I seem to be over stretching on my daily commute (maybe I should have gone for a smaller frame?). My handle bars seem slightly too low/far away and I'm getting back ache.

Therefore, I was thinking of raising my handle bars or/and extending my stem.

Can you give any advice for this?
It's a Carrera Vengeance MTB.
Id also like an adjustable stem (maybe like this)

how do i know what to get as I'm not too clued up on the lingo (I've been away from bikes for 22 years! and happy to get my hands dirty)

Any advice appreciated.
thanks

[tartosuc]

your large frame is probably fine for you, its just a matther of adjusting your cokpit... usually its trial and error.

that said looking at your picture.:

if you bar feel too low and you feel streched out.
get a shorter stem with high rise.
your stem look to be around 100mm 5deg... you can get 70mm ones with 15deg rise. that should bring you up and closer easily.
if thats not enough, you could get a 2" rise handlebar also.

[nauc]

my bike was like that, so i switched to a straight seat post, a shorter stem, and wider bars. it feels a lot better now. also loving the new Saint pedals

[griffter18]

Try at shorter stem with a higher angle to lift the bars and bring them closer, but also check that your seat is at the correct height.
It's easy to set it too high which over stretches the hamstrings and forces the reach to the bars which can cause back ache because it start to round. If the saddle is too high it can also cause knee pain but riders tend to get away with this unless they ride clipped in.
At 6'4" I'd expect to see Large to Xlarge but this can vary depending on frame geometry

[ekcyclops]

I concur, try a shorter stem with higher angle will definitely help you out.

[nauc]

you might try this Fit Calculator too, it helped me out a lot. among other things, it gives you seat height recommendations, and seat to bar distance recommendations (based on your body specs, that you have to enter)

Fit Calculator - Competitive Cyclist

[Shakester]

From the looks of it, it looks like a 100mm stem or more that you have on there. I was in the same situation. I'm 6'2 and ride a large Giant (20"). I slid my seat up a little and went to an 80mm stem and now I'm golden.

[bigbbs]

Kore just came out with these. RIVERA been thinking about getting one myself, I'm 6-5

[rtsideup]

If you're located in CONUS, I've got some stuff I could send you to try.

[Thumpy69]

Shorter or adjustable like the link you provided. Also wider bars will help you. Im 6'1 and short bars kill me by keepin my hands to close together. If you are riding where you may take any hard drops or get any downforce on the bars from your hands I'd stay away from the adjustable, the one lock nut looks like it could slip with enough push.

[wink23]

I think you need to prepare a budget in upgrading that part..

[doran]

wow, heaps of advice, thanks all.
Ill try a shorter stem and maybe raise the rise too.
I've also realised that my seat was far back , so I've brought that forward too.

you lot rock!

[FARTHAMMER]

I have a similar problem on my Avalance. I need my bars higher and more forward.