[iamkeith]

I've been thinking about putting some riser bars on my own slightly-too-small MB-1, and I finally found one that I like well enough in terms of shape and finish. Check out the Nitto B809 Cross bar. It's not super tall, but it won't ruin the bike's aesthetic (many of your bike's parts, including the ritchey stem, were made by Nitto anyway.)

You could also try to find a sturdy used quill stem with more rise AND a good reach. There were some specialized-branded ones made by nitto in the 80's that were similar to the Dirt Drop, but longer. They seem to pop up regularly on ebay if you're patient, or you could probably buy a whole bike that has one for the same price.

Otherwise, I agree that you'd be happier on a bigger MB-2... when you can find it.

 

[girlonbike]

There should be some sort of bikematch.com for bike owners to get the right size bike instead of everybody running their seatposts to the max line and hi rise stems with riser bars.

 

[iamkeith]

There should be some sort of bikematch.com for bike owners to get the right size bike instead of everybody running their seatposts to the max line and hi rise stems with riser bars.

That's actually a GREAT idea. If not a website, then a sticky thread or a whole subforum. Can you make that happen?! Plus - just think of all those awesome vintage bikes you find that would be a great deal "if only they were your size." Then you'd have a reason to buy them without worrying about inflating the maket!

I've got 3 bikes of my own I'd put in it right away. Like the OP hinted, I'd bet there are a lot of us 6'2" and taller guys who were put on too-small bikes in the late '80s and '90s, and told that our handlebars were supposed to be 6" or more below our saddle, because "our arms are probably longer."

 

[Fred Smedley]

There should be some sort of bikematch.com for bike owners to get the right size bike instead of everybody running their seatposts to the max line and hi rise stems with riser bars.

The frame doesn't fit pass-around game

 

[Rumpfy]

You'd have to pry this bike from my cold, dead hands.

Actually, the seat post height isn't maxed out yet but is set for road.

I'm sure I'll pick up a new mountain bike at some point. For now, though, this is what I'm riding for road and trail.

Just trying to make it a more comfortable ride for now.

A lot of us feel that way about our bikes, so I don't think it was taken the wrong way.
Despite his feminine looks, Colker is a tough guy too.

As for the bike...I'm not gonna lie, thats a pretty dorky looking set up. I know you're trying to make your old love work and remain comfortable for you, but if you need that much rise, its going to be a tough road. Maybe some kind of high rise stem (similar to a Salsa P10), but it won't be cheap. As others have said, just riser bars won't give you what you need in terms of rise.

Tough call man.

 

[Guest]

There should be some sort of bikematch.com for bike owners to get the right size bike instead of everybody running their seatposts to the max line and hi rise stems with riser bars.

I'll start it off. I'll take one of those Cunningham's. If your seat post is jacked up, and it has one of those high-rise stems it's obviously to small for you, just let me know

 

[jscott36]

Thanks iamkeith. I took a look at the Nitto B809. Thanks for mentioning this bar.

It is a bit pricey but I can see how nice it would look. I'll weigh this in with the decision process. It really is a sleek looking bar.

One thing I really like is the look of the Ritchey Force stem and it's performance over the years that's on there now. This is the reason I went with the quill stem riser first, so I could keep the step/bar setup and not feel like I'm riding a different bike in some ways.

But now, though, I think I'm ready to switch the stem and bar if it will allow me to sit more upright. I'll check out the stems for Specialized by Nitto if I can find one. I'm sure I can find an image at least to start.

Funny how I could perhaps by a whole bike for the price of the 80's specialized stem. I'll have to check this out.

Thanks for your advice.This will be my research project for the weekend.


On the topic of frame size guys, back in '91 the idea I was taught for mountain bikes was to get the smallest frame size you could get away with.

Since then, believe it or not, I rode with the seat several inches lower, sacrificing leg power.

t wasn't until I started using it on the road with commuter tires this summer that I raised the seat, realizing for the first time all the muscles in my upper legs and glutes that I wasn't using. Talk about a sudden increase in power.

Still unsure of the correct seat height for trails, though, given the lack of power with a shorter seat height.

 

[colker1]

You want another MB2 frame, 2 sizes bigger. Hard to find... really hard to find.

 

[mainlyfats]

A lot of us feel that way about our bikes, so I don't think it was taken the wrong way.
Despite his feminine looks, Colker is a tough guy too.

As for the bike...I'm not gonna lie, thats a pretty dorky looking set up. I know you're trying to make your old love work and remain comfortable for you, but if you need that much rise, its going to be a tough road. Maybe some kind of high rise stem (similar to a Salsa P10), but it won't be cheap. As others have said, just riser bars won't give you what you need in terms of rise.

Tough call man.

I just sold one of those Salsa stems on ebay. Filet brazed, fresh paint, 200mm reach, 60 degree rise. I got $125 for it shipped, so I don't think they're breaking the bank.

Rick Hunter built me a 220mm, 30 degree stem for $150 last year (not sure if that's current pricing) - again, that doesn't really strike me as a fortune to keep an old friend rolling.

 

[jscott36]

Check this out. It's a 1986 21" MB-2. A bit older that what I'd want, really, but I found it interesting.

Does anyone have an idea of what the tubing is like, and how the ride might compare to the Ritchey Logic tubing on my '91 MB-2?

The catalog on Sheldon Brown's site says it's made of Bridgestone Crmo oversize straight guage/16 tapered seat stay/forged end.

I just read actually that Grant Petersen was with Bridgestone starting in the late 80's, so this might not be one of his bikes.

1986 Bridgestone Catalog

 

[girlonbike]

That's going to ride very differently than what you've got but I'm thrilled that you're looking for one in your size.

Let me just say, stay patient and you'll find it. I've seen the bike you need a few times a year, I think. Either on eBay or CL. You'll be much happier in the long run with one bike that fits correctly than a garage full of ill fitting bikes.

p.s. Outings are not kosher, so I am going to edit your post to delete the ebay ad.

 

[Fred Smedley]

Check this out. It's a 1986 21" MB-2. A bit older that what I'd want, really, but I found it interesting.

Does anyone have an idea of what the tubing is like, and how the ride might compare to the Ritchey Logic tubing on my '91 MB-2?

The catalog on Sheldon Brown's site says it's made of Bridgestone Crmo oversize straight guage/16 tapered seat stay/forged end.

I just read actually that Grant Petersen was with Bridgestone starting in the late 80's, so this might not be one of his bikes.

1986 Bridgestone Catalog

Those ride lovely! Lively and compliant. Grab it if it is cheap.

 

[colker1]

I also vote for "grab it if it is cheap".. it will ride differente cause geometry is very different but it will ride nicely.
And then you grab another MB2 from another year and start a collection of bridgestones... cause you love them. That's the spirit here.

 

[phoenixbikes]

This is probably not what you had in mind, but you might consider running a bmx cruiser handlebar.
You'd need a 1" quill adapter and a threadless stem with a removable face plate to make it work.
A 6" rise cruiser bar with decent length and backsweep is not hard to find. A setup like this could probably be ridden harder than a high rise stem/riser bar combo.

 

[1 cog frog]

Another option might be the stem below with a quill to threadless adapter and a riser bar. It will look funny, but it might work. It would probably require a handlebar shim to go from 31.8 to 25.4.

Stem:
Bikeman Voodoo Cycles Nakisi Dirt Drop stem, (31.8) 65d x 140mm

quill to threadless adapters:
Bikeman: Stem Column Adaptors

Handlebar shim:
Bikeman Problem Solvers Handlebar Shim 25.4 to 31.8mm and 44mm Length

frog

 

[jscott36]

Hi guys, thanks for your help. I'll check out the BMX bar and stem idea.

For trail riding I removed the black quill stem riser and have the bike in its original configuration.

One thing I did to gain some more height from the stem is I didn't insert it all the way (probably not a good idea I'm thinking at this point).

This gave me almost have an inch but I read it can cause the frame to break so I think I'm going to insert it to the max line from now on. It worked great for the 12 miles or so I used it on the trails.

I really appreciate everyone's advice in this thread. I often come back to digest some of the ideas and make sure I understand everyone's suggestions well.

 

[jscott36]

post moved

post moved

 

[girlonbike]

Hi,

I'm looking at getting my first suspension bike and the Blur LT looks like an excellent match for the trails I ride here in Northeast NE. However, for some reason its not easy finding sizing information from some manufacturers.

I'm trying to find out if the frame size for the Blur LT has stayed consistent over the years and where I can find a sizing chart for this bike.

Just for the record I'm 6'3", in my forties, and weigh about 215lbs. My inseam is 34.25 inches (technical measurement) and my arm length is 36".

If someone has experience with this bike it would be great to hear about experience with sizing. I may be purchasing one the earlier range as my budget allows ($1000-$1200) through ebay or pinkbike so I might not get a chance to test ride one.

Thanks.

Hmmmm....do you want me to move this post??

 

[jscott36]

Wow, not sure how I managed that. Working on moving it ASAP.

Thanks for the heads up girlonbike!

 

[JAMarco1]

Have you checked out the bar selection at Rivendell? What about an Albatross or a Bosco bar? you get a good amount of sweep and rise. They might be a little more cruiserish but they're comfy AF
Here's my MB-2 with alba's