I bought this 90s Trek steel touring bike a few months ago and I like the frame but the handlebars suck. My hands start getting numb and/or painful on long rides and I can’t ride on the drops at all because I can’t reach the brakes with my palms on the drops, I’m a woman with small hands. I need more modern handlebars and brake levers.
Is it worth spending money and time on getting a) threadless stem adapter b) new handlebars c) new brake levers? I asked a couple of friends who have a lot of experience building bikes, but they said it’s a waste of money to spend so much on parts for a cheap bike. But right now I don’t have the budget to buy my dream bike so I’m stuck with this one. I can definitely buy (b) and (c) secondhand. Any product recommendations and installation tips for (a) much appreciated.
CieloMellow on
I don’t care what your friends say. The 520 is legit. Also, they sound like snobs. You’re in a predicament where you want to make your bike more rideable for you and they basically say, buy a new bike or don’t ride at all. I think you can go to a coop and pick up the parts you need for a decent price. They typically have friendly knowledgeable people willing to show you the ropes. I’m firmly in the it’s worth it camp. Another factor that could be the culprit is the bike fit. Again, coop homies should know.
Amazing bike (Trek 520) and it is absolutely worth replacing the bars with something more compatible with your riding goals. Check out the online reviews for bike shops in your area, and swing by one which you feel good about. They will be able to guide you to some great options for that bike and stand behind it if you have them do the installation.
wcoastbo on
Yes, do what you need to make this bike work for you. Your comfort is worth the small expense.
It’s not a waste of money, those same parts can be moved to another bike in the future.
Playful-Duty-1646 on
You came to the right place, that is a modification / modernization that about 100% of xbiking will approve of 😆
Go for it! Hand ergonomics are one of the things most improved since the vintage era, and a threadless adapter is cheap and will open up a ton of handlebar shape options
williamfanjr on
Yup, just did with my 1991 Rockhopper. Way more options for stem and handlebars.
1538e on
Your hands hurt in part due to the bike fit: saddle is tilted down and brake hoods are rotated up, both should be closer to horizontal, so you should put SOME money in.
To avoid a money pit, breakdown the purchase into phases and hopefully phase 1 will solve it!
Phase 1:
Threadless Adapter ($10), Adjustable angle Stem ($25), 26.0 Shim ($5)
— assuming the bars are not modern 31.8 diameter, so the shim will allow you to use your current bars/levers. (NOTE: some road bars are 25.4, so double check the size)
Phase 2:
New Bar. look into Gravel Bars that have shallower drops, but they are $$$
Phase 3:
New short reach levers, or depending on your levers, there might be a shim that can be installed to reduce the reach (not likely though)
I recommend this style of adjustable stem with the adjutment on top, some models are in the front making them longer to start with. Stem length is a tough one to decide, butsuggest 90mm.
The majority of roadies are just a bunch of snobs that follow whatever is new and shiny. If you liked the bike put money into it. If it will make the bike fit you better then it’s totally worth it.
clemisan on
Most of the times it’s worth, yes. If the rest of the frame fits you.
What is your dream bike? Do you want dropbars? Are you ok with the rise and reach (asking because of the position of the brake levers)?
Advanced-Total-1147 on
That is a good bike, like most have said your friends sound like snobs. Your seat does look angled down too much and those hoods are too high. Have you looked into replacing the hoods with something with a shorter reach first? New bars will def give you some better ergonomics. Don’t be discouraged drops are not for everyone. The best part of this community is making the bike yours and making it enjoyable for you. Don’t hold too much weight in the opinion of roadies. Most of us think the whole weight weenie dentist thing is obnoxious and we just want to get out and ride.
Kyro2354 on
I did the same thing on my vintage Giant Terrago MTB, switching from quill stem to Threadless adapter, and from ungodly uncomfortable and absurdly long reach bullhorn bars to slightly swept back 40mm riser bars and it’s SOOOOOO much better. Handlebars make such a big difference and are worth adjusting or replacing
12 Comments
I bought this 90s Trek steel touring bike a few months ago and I like the frame but the handlebars suck. My hands start getting numb and/or painful on long rides and I can’t ride on the drops at all because I can’t reach the brakes with my palms on the drops, I’m a woman with small hands. I need more modern handlebars and brake levers.
Is it worth spending money and time on getting a) threadless stem adapter b) new handlebars c) new brake levers? I asked a couple of friends who have a lot of experience building bikes, but they said it’s a waste of money to spend so much on parts for a cheap bike. But right now I don’t have the budget to buy my dream bike so I’m stuck with this one. I can definitely buy (b) and (c) secondhand. Any product recommendations and installation tips for (a) much appreciated.
I don’t care what your friends say. The 520 is legit. Also, they sound like snobs. You’re in a predicament where you want to make your bike more rideable for you and they basically say, buy a new bike or don’t ride at all. I think you can go to a coop and pick up the parts you need for a decent price. They typically have friendly knowledgeable people willing to show you the ropes. I’m firmly in the it’s worth it camp. Another factor that could be the culprit is the bike fit. Again, coop homies should know.
[Yes](https://www.reddit.com/r/xbiking/s/hWZhzFxmtr)
Amazing bike (Trek 520) and it is absolutely worth replacing the bars with something more compatible with your riding goals. Check out the online reviews for bike shops in your area, and swing by one which you feel good about. They will be able to guide you to some great options for that bike and stand behind it if you have them do the installation.
Yes, do what you need to make this bike work for you. Your comfort is worth the small expense.
It’s not a waste of money, those same parts can be moved to another bike in the future.
You came to the right place, that is a modification / modernization that about 100% of xbiking will approve of 😆
Go for it! Hand ergonomics are one of the things most improved since the vintage era, and a threadless adapter is cheap and will open up a ton of handlebar shape options
Yup, just did with my 1991 Rockhopper. Way more options for stem and handlebars.
Your hands hurt in part due to the bike fit: saddle is tilted down and brake hoods are rotated up, both should be closer to horizontal, so you should put SOME money in.
To avoid a money pit, breakdown the purchase into phases and hopefully phase 1 will solve it!
Phase 1:
Threadless Adapter ($10), Adjustable angle Stem ($25), 26.0 Shim ($5)
— assuming the bars are not modern 31.8 diameter, so the shim will allow you to use your current bars/levers. (NOTE: some road bars are 25.4, so double check the size)
Phase 2:
New Bar. look into Gravel Bars that have shallower drops, but they are $$$
Phase 3:
New short reach levers, or depending on your levers, there might be a shim that can be installed to reduce the reach (not likely though)
I recommend this style of adjustable stem with the adjutment on top, some models are in the front making them longer to start with. Stem length is a tough one to decide, butsuggest 90mm.
https://preview.redd.it/jjqtjdkiml0e1.png?width=1428&format=png&auto=webp&s=02c57b4e2ad0d303575e4f2f29cc32fed8788077
The majority of roadies are just a bunch of snobs that follow whatever is new and shiny. If you liked the bike put money into it. If it will make the bike fit you better then it’s totally worth it.
Most of the times it’s worth, yes. If the rest of the frame fits you.
What is your dream bike? Do you want dropbars? Are you ok with the rise and reach (asking because of the position of the brake levers)?
That is a good bike, like most have said your friends sound like snobs. Your seat does look angled down too much and those hoods are too high. Have you looked into replacing the hoods with something with a shorter reach first? New bars will def give you some better ergonomics. Don’t be discouraged drops are not for everyone. The best part of this community is making the bike yours and making it enjoyable for you. Don’t hold too much weight in the opinion of roadies. Most of us think the whole weight weenie dentist thing is obnoxious and we just want to get out and ride.
I did the same thing on my vintage Giant Terrago MTB, switching from quill stem to Threadless adapter, and from ungodly uncomfortable and absurdly long reach bullhorn bars to slightly swept back 40mm riser bars and it’s SOOOOOO much better. Handlebars make such a big difference and are worth adjusting or replacing