I’ve messed around with the bar and stem position and finally found a spot where I am comfortable. Trimmed the bars to 580mm and I’m now in pretty much the same position as my mountain bike! In order to get there I’ve had to turn the stem and bars over. This actually feels great but looks a bit of a bodge.

I also don’t like the sweep on the bars, prefer something flat.

Current stem is 100mm -6 degree. How do I calculate the stem required to leave the new flat bars in roughly the same position?

This is where it is, and feels good:

But looks, erm, odd…

Trimmed the bars to 580mm

😯

Just found this calculator

I’ve put in reach = 100mm, angle -6 deg for my current stem. I have put “spacers” as -22mm, as this is the rise on my bars (or drop of the bars in this case. I don’t have any spacers in).

The calc gives me a new reach of 105mm and an angle of -18 degrees with zero spacers (as I’ll have a flat bar in).

Does that sound about right?

Might just have to stick a flat bar in and see how that feels. Probably be ok with the 22mm extra height and what, 8mm closer reach?

More importantly what is going on the the saddle?

Nothing wrong with the saddle, it’s only very slightly nose down, looks worse in the photo than it actually is.

Obviously the bars/stem are a temporary measure to get the fit where I want it with what I have.

Now I’ve found that calculator I think I can work something out.

hhmmmmm, is this a new niche that could catch on…

I think not!

And the angle of the levers? Is that comfortable?

Theres a fair bit of distortion in the photo I think, teh levers aren’t quite that steep. But yeah, they are comfortable, that’s why they are there 😉

Not everyone wants zero stems and 800mm riser bars.

This bike would have been perfect out of the box with flat bars IMHO. I guess even Kona are slaves to fashion 🙄

This bike would have been perfect out of the box with flat bars IMHO. I guess even Kona are slaves to fashion

I think it’s designed as a round town doing the chores/normal commuter type bike, flat bars and a dropped stem move it into arse up in the air fast commuter/proper cyclist territory which isn’t where they wanted to pitch it.

It does carry the shopping VERY well. Had it loaded up yesterday and it rides nicely, no wobble I’ve had with previous bikes. I just prefer flat bars on any bike to be honest. Doesn’t have to be nose down arse up, you can flip the stem, put some spacers under and still use a flat bar.

Anyway, calculations done, flat bar on way. Will take a photo of it when properly finished and try and avoid the distortion.

Keep the existing stem and invest in a set of the following:-
http://ritcheylogic.com/mountain/bars/wcs-dive-blatte-mountain-bar.html.

I like that Ritchey bar 8) Bit pricey though, the bike only cost £388! Will stick a £5 flat bar on it and see how that feels. Reckon it will be ok and there must be loads of unused ones kicking around these days.