X tools/lifeline one for me too. Pretty good for the price TBH!

I went on the Cane Creek headset finder but my year model was not there. Maybe the old headset might have some details on it!

What rise are the ones you are selling?

740mm should be ok for me. To get the lite in a longer version you have to move up to the 35 Bar (which is on sale for the same price).

Nightmare! What gap can I get away with? I read the steerer should be 2-3mm lower? Any harm if it’s around 4-5mm? If yes I need to reduce it by a mm or 2 to use a smaller spacer!

What’s the minimum you can cut off using that x tools guide? Guessing cutting off an extra mm or two is not easy?

Might go for the carbon lites!

As above both 740. The 35 versions of the lite are 760.

I guess just got to decide if the weight and better looks (imo) are worth it!

The 35 bars and stem are of a similar price, but i don’t really do anything that warrants 35!

The 35s are just 10g heavier than normal lites.

Thought as much, although I think they look better in carbon, but at twice the price, not sure it’s worth it!

Damn I wish I had started learning about bikes before my brain got older!

That makes more sense.

I pushed it back on and it has a little latch that engaged in the grooves and it spins just fine with no play. Didn’t realise the hub would come off so easily but it does not seem an issue!

Does seem heavy for carbon. My Alloy trek is lighter than that (on my scales at home anyway!)

It was bit by bit changes, but having gone from wanting to just throw the thing out the window in frustration I am now happy that I carried on! Plus its first maintenance type of stuff I have done without the aid of LBS lol.

Now just to get rid of the Dork Disc!

After borrowing and tinkering a lot I made the following changes:

Saddle back about 1cm and now level
Saddle slightly lower
Stem shortened from 70mm to 50mm
Bars slightly longer (by 20mm)
Higher rise (20mm vs the original 5mm) and different backsweep to the new bars (7deg vs 9deg).

I have borrowed my mates Renthal 50mm stem and Renthal lite bars with 20mm rise and after figuring out how to get the correct adjustment using the marks on the stem and the grid on the bars they felt pretty much perfect apart from I was right on the end of the grips. Took it out for a decent run yesterday and its amazing how different it feels!

Therfore I am going to order the Renthal lite 35 bars and 50mm stem as they give me that extra 10mm each side. The gold colour does not look too bad, but having tried the Nukeproof bars and some superstar ones, they just feel right.

I have spacers under the stem so I ‘could’ try the 30mm rise and use less spacers but going to give it another few rides out over the weekend before placing my order!

Thank you for all help and advice. I took her for a spin today and apart from slipping in it’s lowest gear which made the climb so much fun all was so much better!

Anyone tried Renthal lite bar? I know they are a bit shorter at 740mm but that’s not a big issue as spend a lot of time through twisty forest tracks.

I guess with anything, it’s a try it and see thing.

Warhead & Warhead Stem ordered – lets see how they feel!

That’s not good! Warheads seem to get good reviews in most places.

Yep I have decided on 760 being my sweet spot and looking for a bit more rise and more sweep.

Both the Nukes and Renthal cover these bases and would both do what I need them to do.

Always liked the look of Renthals, until I got a Volt Green Bike lol.

Going to order the Nukeproof bars today. I do like Renthals but I think the gold would look quite bad on my bike and I’m not doing any heavy stuff/jumping so the strength is not as much of an issue.

Gold Renthals on a Volt Green Bike… dubious?!

Tried some Ergon GE1’s this weekend…. didnt really like them so going to try death grips instead!

Anyone know the stack height of the warhead stem?

So will dismiss the Easton and decide between the Nukes and the Spanks Vibracore:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/spank-oozy-760-ltd-vibrocore-riser-bar/rp-prod126861

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/nukeproof-warhead-riser-bars/rp-prod122962

Leaning towards the Nukes though!

Looks nice on the Bird! Black/grey subtle enough! What rise are they?

Warhead stem looks ok too as that comes in black/grey too!

Thanks for the tips – will have a look in to the suggestions. Will have a look at the Nukeproof ones, the black/grey one looks ok – not too many graphics going on!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/nukeproof-warhead-riser-bars/rp-prod122962

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/nukeproof-warhead-mtb-stem/rp-prod122955

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/nukeproof-zero-mtb-stem/rp-prod122952

Just noticed the vibracore ones are on offer too:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/spank-oozy-760-ltd-vibrocore-riser-bar/rp-prod126861

Does the vibracore make a big difference? 760 is plenty wide for me.

ODI make Race Face grips, think the strafe is same as the rogues.

Death grips or GE1s or Strafe are my 3 options!!!

GE1 looks interesting, will have a look in to them more.

Going to try some DMR death grips.

Now just the colour… go simple black (bit boring), try the blue (as I ‘think’ it might match the blue bits on my bike) or that yellow/greem camo colour which looks kinda cool.

DMR Deathgrips are excellent. Got them on 3 bikes in the thicker, softer version. My favourite grip since Sunline Mushrooms.

I like them, even if its just for the name!

So today lowered saddle by about a cm – feels better
Added 40psi to the rear and 25psi to the front – sag much better!

Some kind member from here is sending me some 25mm rise bars (same width) so going to out them on. Never changed anything like stems and bars before so it’s all good practice! Back when I was in my youth it was a couple of spanners to tighten v brakes and that was about that!!!

Also – how to get rid of dork ring easily!?

Well I was going to do some more tinkering yesterday but the weather put an end to that!

My rear shock is well under pressure. I used to have it much firmer but when I had it serviced the LBS said I was running too firm and adjusted it (this was without seeing me on it). It’s over 40psi down on Trek recommended pressures and the front about 20psi under.

My new WTB pure also arrived which is easier to get level. Same saddle as before but the new version just seems to be slightly flatter in the middle. Then again, my old one was about 6 years old and had the cheap old style padding which has gone rather soft!

I’m going to try some other bars with a bit more rise. The bonty ones are 5mm with a bit of an odd sweep so was going to try some Funn ones as they are pretty cheap. Think 15mm rise will do it as 30mm might be too much.

Currently the bars are 750mm, seem wide enough so any other bar recommendations would be good. Looked at some Carbon ones on CRC clearance but they are 740mm.

Once I have the position sorted I can decide if stem is correct length.

Thanks for all your help so far! Learning curve for me as always been on a HT which was pretty much ready to roll fit wise!

Someone has offered a 2016 Stumpjumper Comp 2016 if I wanted to swap out but the spec seems a bit backwards. 2×11 I think and revelation fork etc.

trek1 by Justin Akehurst[/url], on Flickr

I have a Madison Zenith. Packs up really small too.

Madison Zenith Waterproof Jacket review

I have the blue version as was and still is on offer!

http://www.highlandbikes.com/487/products/madison-zenith-mens-jacket-blue.aspx?origin=pla&kwd=&currency=GBP&gclid=CPaLufCcp9QCFc8W0wodjbIKAw

Trying to match Trek Volt Green is not easy – especially as the bike has some light blue ish bits of colour on the frame.

My pedals and mudguard are pretty much a match but most anodised blue parts are not the right shade of blue so if I change up my bars and stems it will probably have to be black bits as I dont really want a mis match of blue parts.

I looked at the preset ones – but guess you need a range of them to cover all the bolts etc?

Just one thing to add about saddle – I did the pendulum test that some set up videos show… Pedals at 90, hand string from kneee and it should be centre of pedal… Does that still apply?

If in current saddle position I’m about 1cm to back and the pendulum hangs towards the front of the pedal. If I put saddle back it would be even more.

BUT saying all that my sag is clearly wrong, so will adjust pressure and re do all tests/set up and sit naked upon bike.

At this point all small women and children will be scared forever!

Alternatively, but a different brand… Haha!

My current bulk is not helping the pics, neither are the baggy clothes! Will take another pic in my riding gear after I have made a few tweaks.

Attempt to get the saddle level is interesting! Together with a whale tail, drop nose and centre grove, getting it level to the eye makes my brain hurt!! But it’s my favourite most comfortable saddle so will pursue!!