[TX_Shifter]

Maybe someone can chime in.

Recently I purchased a size 16 Asta X7 / Comp

I am looking to change both the handlebars and stem.

What I am thinking about doing is tossing out the 100mm XR stem and 24” XC AM Truvativ bars (which I had them cut down and to find out they cut them shorter then requested and it does not feel like I have good control (to short)).

But I am thinking about going w/ this setup:


Bars: Answer PROTAPER 660mm (26”) / 2” rise

Stem: RaceFace Evolve DH / 10 degree / 70mm
Or
Stem: RaceFace Evolve XC 90mm
Or
Stem: Truvativ XR 90mm (cheaper cost route/which I am sure is fine)

Thanks for any suggestions,

If anything; I can probably deal w/ the 100mm stem, but I think 90mm would be better for me. and I asked about 70mm, but have no idea is that is right way for this type of bike

 

[mrpercussive]

go with a 90mm stem. Be it the Truvativ XR or Evolve XC, dont see much difference there honestly...

 

[Shoalwater]

I would go with the Easton Monkey Lite XC bars on sale at Wheel World http://wheelworld.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=5343 for $50 and an Easton EA70 Stem in
90mm on sale at Jenson USA http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/ST402A01.aspx?&SC=mtbr0302&x=y for $40. You would have a nice lite and strong setup for under a $100

 

[TX_Shifter]

I would go with the Easton Monkey Lite XC bars on sale at Wheel World http://wheelworld.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=5343 for $50 and an Easton EA70 Stem in
90mm on sale at Jenson USA http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/ST402A01.aspx?&SC=mtbr0302&x=y for $40. You would have a nice lite and strong setup for under a $100

What about the Easton Vice AM Stem / 85mm from wheelworld? Can save lots on shipping

 

[Jake Pay]

Good XC setup for Asta X7
I am looking to change both the handlebars and stem.
Maybe someone can chime in.

My recommendations:

Race Face Deus Stem..25.4mm

Race Face Deus XC Riser..25.4mm​

Jake

EDITED:
Race Face Deus XC Seatpost..27.2 x 400mm

 

[Shoalwater]

What about the Easton Vice AM Stem / 85mm from wheelworld? Can save lots on shipping

You would be giving up about 80g, but if you are not concerned with the weight, then the Vice would be fine. It looks like they only have the 31.8mm left and you would need the 25.4 for the easton monkey lite xc bars they have on sale for $49.99

 

[lakay]

What about the Easton Vice AM Stem / 85mm from wheelworld? Can save lots on shipping

2" rise is too much. mine has 1/2" rise and it is perfect... if you want to do some serious xc then go with the lowest rise possible so you are over the front wheel. otherwise when climbing, the front wheel will want to come up all the time.

 

[baraant]

XC set-up

Since you say you're looking for a XC set-up my first question is what's your height and weight? I ride all XC and some AM considering there's not much I won't go over or through and I've done the same thing as you by cutting or getting cut the handlebars too small, so I'm familiar with that.

For a good XC set-up you want/need good pedaling power which you're only going to get by getting your seating position correct and then having yourself bent over putting more weight on the front end, which also helps front end traction for technical singletrack sections. For comparison's sake I'm also on a 16" Asta and I am 5'7" at 145 lbs and I have a 28.2" distance between the center of the bottom bracket and top of the seat and the minimum stem length that works for me is 100mm. I do have my stem turned over so the angle is down and the bars are a good 1" below the seat. The 100 stem almost seems to short so I'm trying to get a 110mm stem off ebay to see how that feels. Concerning your handlebar width I also found that on the Asta a slightly longer 660mm bar feels or works the best.

 

[TX_Shifter]

Baraant - I am 5-6 @ 190.

Today I did some more adjustments and all I can say even w/ gloves on my inner palms were sore. I even adjusted my bars and it does not make any diff. My seat post is where I like it so I also can descend easily down hills by standing up. I know lot of XC riders where they are almost hyper-extending their knees when they are sitting; Not for me.

Anyways, I took a ride out at our local Rocky trails (very very rocky) and the inner palms were so sore. I feel that I am maybe putting too much weight on the hands due to the 100mm stem. I think going w/ the 90mm will really help along w/ a longer handle bar as mentioned above.

 

[mrpercussive]

Baraant - I am 5-6 @ 190.

Today I did some more adjustments and all I can say even w/ gloves on my inner palms were sore. I even adjusted my bars and it does not make any diff. My seat post is where I like it so I also can descend easily down hills by standing up. I know lot of XC riders where they are almost hyper-extending their knees when they are. Not for me.

Anyways, I took a ride out at our local Rocky trails (very very rocky) and the inner palms were so sore. I feel that I am maybe putting too much weight on the hands due to the 100mm stem. I thin going w/ the 90mm will really help along w/ a longer handle bar as mentioned above.

could be something as simple as handlebar position... play with the angle...

 

[doctorholguin]

are you used to riding frequently or are you a weekend warrior??if you happen to follow into this category all i have to say is that it will take same time before the muscles in your hand get used to the vibration, bumping, etc that is coming from your handlebar, fork...i would definitely suggest that you get a nice pair of padded gloves....and even the gloves can be the cause of the pain...so let us know what happens within a few more days...also, if you just made a new change to your cockpit such as lever angle, stem size, etc, you definitely will need some time to get used to them or go to your old set up...best of luck

 

[TX_Shifter]

I ride at least 3 times a week.

One day, just riding in the neighborhood about 15 miles.
then two days during the week / weekends maybe 10 and today was about 13. def not a weekend rider .

I am riding again this Sunday w/ a group @ another trail. I'll see if it happens. (no I am not sore )

 

[lakay]

had the same issue

I ride at least 3 times a week.

One day, just riding in the neighborhood about 15 miles.
then two days during the week / weekends maybe 10 and today was about 13. def not a weekend rider .

I am riding again this Sunday w/ a group @ another trail. I'll see if it happens. (no I am not sore )

The length of the stem does playh a huge part on how much pressure there is on your ulner nerve,( the area where it is sore for you.). I had the same problem and pjut o na shorter stem, bought good gloves, specialized geometry gloves are by far the best for ulner nerve comfort, and lasts for year( same pair of specialized gloves im wearing for 4 years now and they look beat but the padding is like it was when bought new.
Go with shorter stem, at least 900mm, maybe even shorter but no shorter then 85 or you will feel cramped, and good gloves and happy riding.

 

[baraant]

Check your fork set-up

You're a little shorter than me so yes maybe a 90mm stem would help take a look at one at Pricepoint the Sette edge make sure you get the correct bar dia for your bars. I have one on one of my bikes and it's a good stem.

I would also suggest checking your fork set-up if the the sag is not set correctly and the pre-load is to much this may be causing your hands to take to much of the shock from the front tire. Or if your rebound is to fast your hands could be getting a good bit of vibration just from the fork bouncing back to quickly.

 

[TX_Shifter]

mrpercussive - I did that, after I started to feel my inner palm hurting like it was; I pulled over and did the adjustments. Everything went better and rode much more comfortable.


lakay - My gloves are padded and I def know the pad is no-where near as good as they were. So freaking hot yesterday, my hands soaked all the way through the gloves. They are worn out pretty good though.
I will also shoot for the 90mm stem and bars.
Bars for sure, I am seeing that my hands want to go further out then in the middle of my grip area.

baraant - My forks are working well the rebound I like is responsive and not popping up hard (I used to motocross when I was a kid). At first it was the position of the bars that made my inner palm felt uncomfortable, but I did reposition them and got much better, I just think I am leaning a little too much forward into them since I like my seat position more towards to back (I don't like indo's )

So here's my goal - Better padded (no more cheapy gloves, maybe w/ gel padding) 90mm stem and 26" or 27" bars. I then think the geometry of me along w/ the bike should be perfect fit

Here's some pics of the rocky as$ trail I was riding on.

Laters --- > off for a ride

 

[baraant]

professional bike fitting

If you can squeeze a proffessional bike fitting into your budget I would highly recommend it. I had knee pain for 20+ years and after I paid the $200 for the fitting WOW my riding and pedaling efficiency improved a lot. If you can find somebody who's good it's well worth the cash. A good fitting will improve everything from your handling all the way through your pedaling and control.

 

[TX_Shifter]

Baraant - that's not a bad idea and I know some who have done this. I think playing the trial and error game would be worth it. This way I can figure out my bike and learn the at the same time.
I really only push myself when riding w/ others and especially when I lead. When riding by myself or w/ my son, its more chill and not doing the "stupid"
Yesterday I was by myself and took the Asta to one of the ruffest trails out in Austin and I found some errors. Now I am going to fix it and see if does better. At the end if it don't work, I got spare parts

 

[Jake Pay]

The 90mm stem

A carbon bar

This will help suck up some vibration..

If after you do those up-grades you're still experiencing some discomfort, get a zero offset seatpost

 

[baraant]

Baraant - that's not a bad idea and I know some who have done this. I think playing the trial and error game would be worth it. This way I can figure out my bike and learn the at the same time.
I really only push myself when riding w/ others and especially when I lead. When riding by myself or w/ my son, its more chill and not doing the "stupid"
Yesterday I was by myself and took the Asta to one of the ruffest trails out in Austin and I found some errors. Now I am going to fix it and see if does better. At the end if it don't work, I got spare parts

I did the trial and error thing for quite a few years and I still do not regret spending the cash to learn what I never would have tried. For my fitting after slightly adjusting my seat height, I was pretty darn close from all the fitting stuff I learned online, then he recommended I get the zero offset seatpost, same as Jake just recommended. This put my seat in the correct position for my knees, then he recommended something I never would have tried. He said turn your stem over this will lower your bars and give your legs more pedaling power and actually take strain off your back and hip muscles. He did it and it felt very weird, but so far this year I've climbed hills I've never been able to make it up and since more of my weight was on the front end my front wheel traction has at least doubled. The trick is to find someone who actually knows what they are doing. Good luck.

 

[GregC]

Baraant - I am 5-6 @ 190.

Today I did some more adjustments and all I can say even w/ gloves on my inner palms were sore. I even adjusted my bars and it does not make any diff. My seat post is where I like it so I also can descend easily down hills by standing up. I know lot of XC riders where they are almost hyper-extending their knees when they are sitting; Not for me.

Anyways, I took a ride out at our local Rocky trails (very very rocky) and the inner palms were so sore. I feel that I am maybe putting too much weight on the hands due to the 100mm stem. I think going w/ the 90mm will really help along w/ a longer handle bar as mentioned above.

You may want to try some Ergon grips. They help distribute pressure over your entire palm. I use them on a 29er, rigid fork, singlespeed I just built...did a 17 mile ride last weekend on very rooty, rocky singletrack without any palm or wrist issues...and I use gloves with no padding! Needless to say, I'm sold on Ergon!