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Hello lads, I've just recently bought a 2014 Boardman TXC PRO 29'er, and it's a hell of a bike, compared to the second hand Apollo I had a couple of years ago (that got me back into cycling).
I want to make a few modifications, one of which is getting it setup for MTB as it seems the previous owner set it up more for XC with a long stem without spacers.
I need to raise the stem and buy a shorter stem as well for it, however the steerer tube seems too short! How can this be!?
I want to space it an inch up, but if I fit the spacers to space it that much, there is less than 1/2 of the steerer tube left to clamp the bloody thing to!
I am riding it like this for now, but is it safe!? I want to do some dirt jumps and I am not so sure the stem won't come flying off if it's not clamped to enough of the steerer tube.
So I've looked into steerer tube extenders which look dumb, I've looked into low stack stems which look like what I need although they are about 50 quid on eBay which seems excessive.
The bike has a Rockshox Reba fork with what looks like surprisingly short travel for a premium mtb and for some reason the steerer tube on it is too short as well, go figure?
Suggestions lads?
It's an XC bike so 100mm Rebas are more than sufficient.
No, it's not safe to ride with the stem only half clamped.
I'd suggest you've maybe bought the wrong bike for your requirements but it's impossible to change your username on STW so I guess you are sort of stuck with it now.
stem with rise? Riser bars?
Cheap option - fit some high rise bars
Pricier option - sell the fork, buy a new one with a longer steerer.
and for some reason the steerer tube on it is too short as well
Too short for you, not for the previous owner though. People do cut steerers down to suit their preferences. Not everybody wants their handlebars up in the sky.
ie this sort of thing
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/bbb-bhs-25-highrise-oversize-stem/rp-prod192459
`It’s an XC bike so 100mm Rebas are more than sufficient.
No, it’s not safe to ride with the stem only half clamped.
I’d suggest you’ve maybe bought the wrong bike for your requirements but it’s impossible to change your username on STW so I guess you are sort of stuck with it now.
Oh, it's an XC bike, I didn't know. It looked "mountain bike-y" so I bought it!
In terms of buying the wrong bike, I don't really think so, there is very little chance that I will obtain this value for money again. They cost a grand new and I got it for £200, so very pleased. And it was well looked after.
What makes a bike an XC bike anyway, just a combination of forks and stem really, isn't it? I am chuffed with the purchase considering how premium of a bike it is, I certainly won't be selling it and it's a great base to gradually build the perfect MTB on!
Edit: Also, I was doing dirt jumps and trail on my second hand Apollo just fine and that thing cost about £100...new!
Cheap option – fit some high rise bars
Pricier option – sell the fork, buy a new one with a longer steerer.
and for some reason the steerer tube on it is too short as well
Too short for you, not for the previous owner though. People do cut steerers down to suit their preferences. Not everybody wants their handlebars up in the sky.
A new longer travel fork is certainly an option in the future! For now, riser bars and a short stack stem with spacer are probably the way it's gonna go!
Edit: Are these bars decent? I.e., are they likely to snap landing from a jump
Edit: Are these bars decent? I.e., are they likely to snap landing from a jump
No & yes
Sunday afternoon troll perchance?
What's that? Edit: Oh I see, you are accusing me of being a troll. Well how should I know whether these bars are decent or not. Chinese quality has come on leaps and bounds since 10 years ago when it first started flooding eBay.
I've spent 8 pounds for spacers from Halfrauds and now I can't use them! But I didn't know that and already opened the packet, so I can't even take them back!
I don't want to spend too much on stuff that I can't use, you see. I was looking at these second hand Funn bars:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Funn-Full-On-Riser-Bar-MTB-Length-Cut-To-Approx-705-MM-35-MM-Dia-30-MM-Rise/174153892100?hash=item288c618104:g:TEAAAOSwoydeG4QV
But they're diameter is 35mm. Wtf!? I've only heard of 31.8.
Then I looked at these Commencal ones, but they are only 640mm wide, which is hybrid width, not what I want!
Oh what to do and how a simple thing can become complicated.
For bars try these,
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/brand-x-mountain-bike-riser-bar/rp-prod132519
Cheap, but reputable.
A short stem generally won't allow much of a rise, the one Tjagain linked to above is probably as good as you'll get, but it's 70mm long.
Please don't ride it as it is, it really isn't safe.
I've taken some pictures for you lads here but I can't find out how to make attachments!
Get in touch with RSF suspension, he may be able to change the steerer for you. Depends on model, he'll know if it can be done. Via facebook is a pretty quick response time.
*edit: it's not cheap, you'll need to balance if it's worth it depending on the value/cost of your bike. And reading through properly, it won't be worth it.
For bars try these,
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/brand-x-mountain-bike-riser-bar/rp-prod132519
Cheap, but reputable.
A short stem generally won’t allow much of a rise, the one Tjagain linked to above is probably as good as you’ll get, but it’s 70mm long.
Please don’t ride it as it is, it really isn’t safe.
I didn't see you're reply, those should do nicely. Combined with a riser stem, that should sort me right out and put the bars up where they should be. Cheers!
I didn't see you're reply, they're perfect, combined with a riser stem, should do the job, nicely! Cheers matey!
I think Slick and Slide in Macc change steerer tubes too.
Riser Stem could be the answer !
You need a riser stem, or get used to the position. Did you get the right sized bike for you. I have the Ful suspension Boardman Pro, same year as yours, and it's a fab bike, but has 130mm travel, so trail. The hardtail is a quick XC bike. Lower front end, go get your core stronger.
all you need is a high rise stem
use this tool to for what size you need
http://www.yojimg.net/bike/web_tools/stem.php
What makes a bike an XC bike anyway, just a combination of forks and stem really, isn’t it?
It is geometry (an XC bike with have steeper headtube), frame proportions set up for head down positions, type of components (more on light side than strong side), tyres, gearing etc,.
Sell the bike for a profit as you think you got it so cheap. Buy more suitable bike for dirt jumps and messing around on. An XC bike and a dirt jump/play bike are VERY different bikes.
It's an XC bike, so won't stand up to jumping for long. It may be possible to extend the fork to 120 mm, depending on the specific model. That will lift the front of the bike and make it a better trail bike. A 50 mm stem with riser bars will probably help too. Obvious thing would be check CRC to see what Brand X stuff is available, plus what other closeout stuff there is.
Can't believe kerley thinks I should sell the friggin' bike! I'm not gonna get another £1000 bike for £200, so I've got to work with what I've got.
As fossy says, the full squish version is a trail bike which will be a modified version of the hard tail frame and if that's good enough for a trail bike then so is this with riser bars.
Stop over reacting for Christ's sake, chaps. Telling me to sell the bike like some sort of nitpicky lunatic, seriously, WTF!?
Need I remind you I was dirt jumping on a Carerra Crossfire!? This Boardman is practically ideal compared to that.
Also, this review says that the TXC Pro 29'er is a trail bike, so there, fossy.
https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/mountain-bikes/boardman-pro-29er-review/
Depending on how high you need to lift the front end, can't you just buy a high-rise riser bar?
Nukeproof do a 38mm option:
or these ones are cheap with a 50mm rise:
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.XLC-Riser-Handlebar-50mm-Rise-HB-M04-_126917.htm
or these massive 70mm rise ones - not sure they would be a great idea though - probably too high...
As fossy says, the full squish version is a trail bike which will be
a modified version ofdifferent to the hard tail frame
FTFY
Can’t believe kerley thinks I should sell the friggin’ bike! I’m not gonna get another £1000 bike for £200, so I’ve got to work with what I’ve got.
Just different ways of looking at things. You have bought the wrong tool for the job but because you think it was cheap then you are using it based on that, which is fine.
It is also a £200 bike as that is all someone will pay so doesn't really matter what is cost new.
The bike has a Rockshox Reba fork with what looks like surprisingly short travel for a premium mtb and for some reason the steerer tube on it is too short as well, go figure?
Suggestions lads?
Well I'm no expert, but I can tell you that what I think you have there is a bike specifically adapted for dirt jumps, and I'll tell you why my good friend. If you take a butchers at the BMX forums you will see a lot of the coolest riders have there stems slammed to the top of the fork steerage, which obviously reduces weight and allows them to get the front end up easier for the spinny jumpy tricks, I mean have you seen how high those guys can hop and it's down to the specially adapted stemmage. Now you can't kid me thats all there is too it and you'd be right a lot of those crazy mothercrackers have almost no suspension as well which is where you, my good buddy, have hit the jack-y-pot! because the reba has practically none as you have noticed (I can tell you are a conosseur) this cannot be a con-incidence. I think this bike may be a one-of-a-kind limited-edition 29" dirt jump project which makes it even more of a bargain for what you paid and absolutely the best tool for the job.
Enjoy.
Honestly @cboardmantxcpro29er Its very unsafe to ride it like that..
Its not meant to be used for dirt jumps
For what you did with the stem and other things you said its not safe for you to be doing things like this (or possibly anything) on a bicycle so STOP and go to a bike shop
So many snobs here mad that they can't call what I bought a BSO! Where are smileys when I need them!
Just different ways of looking at things. You have bought the wrong tool for the job but because you think it was cheap then you are using it based on that, which is fine.
It is also a £200 bike as that is all someone will pay so doesn’t really matter what is cost new.The funny thing is, I didn't buy the wrong tool for the job at all! I need a good all rounder, like my Carerra Crossfire that got nicked.
Are you telling me XC bikes adapted from MTBs (which is what the boardman is) are incapable of even the slightest jump!?
Not sure why the hate on here, a bunch of snobs, I think!
Depending on how high you need to lift the front end, can’t you just buy a high-rise riser bar?
Nukeproof do a 38mm option:
or these ones are cheap with a 50mm rise:
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.XLC-Riser-Handlebar-50mm-Rise-HB-M04-_126917.htm
or these massive 70mm rise ones – not sure they would be a great idea though – probably too high…
Damn, 50mm would have been perfect, but I have already bought the 25mm ones from CRC and fitted them. I am hoping them with an 80mm stem and if I sneak a thin spacer underneath the stem (which may be shorter than the current stem) I will be able to get the bars roughly to where I want them.
Thanks anyway!
With respect, other users are not snobs but simply trying to advise you and suggest options. We all have to start somewhere with bikes, it's a continual learning process but mistakes can be made along the way. It happens to us all. The important thing is that you read the posts, think about the advice you've been given, don't belittle folk who're trying to help by making sure you have a safe bike to ride.
OK, I'm going in...
OP - some semantics first of all. MTB covers a number of niches, "Trail" would be one, "XC" would be another, "Jump" would be a third. What you have bought is an XC bike (the clue is in the name). That means that it will have been designed to be ridden fairly fast, on reasonably good tracks. It'll handle an amount of rough stuff too of course, just how rough depends on both the bike and the rider (lots of folk ride rigid bikes on terrain others want full-suspension on).
The frame on your Boardman has been designed within the limits of XC riding. It'll be reasonably light, the geometry will be "snappy", with angles designed for quick turn ins etc. The designers won't have over-built it with longer forks in mind. Having said that many folk (including me) do fit slightly longer forks - say another 20mm max. That'll change the angles a bit and affect the steering but you also risk putting excess stress on the headtube welds and it could fail on you without warning.
The frame will also be completely different from any longer travel or full suspension bike in the Boardman range so you can't base your plans on what they are like.
Your previous bike was, indeed, a relatively cheap model that would not have had the same type of specialist designers and was likely to be at the more over-built and "robust" end of the spectrum.
By all means crack on trying to adapt the bike you've bought but, as the old saying goes, "if I wanted to go there, I wouldn't have started from here!" 🙂
"Well I’m no expert, but I can tell you that what I think you have there is a bike specifically adapted for dirt jumps, and I’ll tell you why my good friend. If you take a butchers at the BMX forums you will see a lot of the coolest riders have there stems slammed to the top of the fork steerage, which obviously reduces weight and allows them to get the front end up easier for the spinny jumpy tricks, I mean have you seen how high those guys can hop and it’s down to the specially adapted stemmage. Now you can’t kid me thats all there is too it and you’d be right a lot of those crazy mothercrackers have almost no suspension as well which is where you, my good buddy, have hit the jack-y-pot! because the reba has practically none as you have noticed (I can tell you are a conosseur) this cannot be a con-incidence. I think this bike may be a one-of-a-kind limited-edition 29″ dirt jump project which makes it even more of a bargain for what you paid and absolutely the best tool for the job."
How about you take a big dose of SHUT THE F UP!!! Coming in here, trying to mock me like that. How often does a bike that cost a bag of sand new come up for sub 500?
No doubt you are going to quote a lot of anecdotes at me, but that is not relevant as I have been scouring the classified's for a couple of months since my beloved Carerra got stolen and the closest I saw was a Cannondale something a rather for 290 and a 2019 Spesh Rockhopper for 200, which at the time I was not in the position to buy.
So why not a high end XC bike that needs a stem and bar change!? It's hardly going to fall apart at the sight of the first jump, now, is it?
Need I remind you that I was doing dirt jumps on a Carerra Crossfire hybrid!?
Can you post a picture of your bike without the stem on so we can see how much steerer is left?
You probably won't listen but at least we can tell you if we think it's safe or not?
And if you don't listen then there's always the possibility of a Darwin award in your near future
So why not a high end XC bike that needs a stem and bar change!? It’s hardly going to fall apart at the sight of the first jump, now, is it?
I dont think anyone said that, just don't try and clamp it half on thin air.
And it'll probably ruin the handling but that's a matter of opinion.
Listen mate, how hard is this to understand!?
Carerra Vengeance, £200 pounds
Boardman TXC Pro 29'er, £200 pounds
You have £200 and have been looking for two months and this is the best bike that you have found, although not a full MTB.
What do you do? And you've been bikeless since you're Carerra Crossfire got nicked.
Is it really THAT hard to understand my decision making!?
Did his bike snap in half!?
That Boardman is a great bike.
The bike has a Rockshox Reba fork with what looks like surprisingly short travel for a premium mtb and for some reason the steerer tube on it is too short as well, go figure?
It's designed for a job. To be light. Nippy. Not waste energy. Have a low, aerodynamic rider position. It comes with a stem suited for this job and a steerer tube to match. It rides trails fast, does small jumps, wheelie, brakes well, accelerates quickly and suits a lot of riders expectations of a trail bike.
It does all of this really well.
The other forumites are trying to explain that you are pushing the abilities of this bike. To have too short a steerer is a risk. To take a light bike on any big jumps risks other issues as the frame isn't overbuilt or adapted for this use.
That said, its a good bike and can cope with way more than you might expect. I've taken a 100mm travel xc framed bike round the Alps. It coped fine.
Your old bike, cheap as it was, was overbuilt and showed it through the weight difference. It may cope better than the new bike you have.
Your trying to take a road car off-road. Adding alloy wheels won't make too much difference to it's abilities, in fact it may get you further into trouble.
Please don't swear at others who are merely helping.
Did his bike snap in half!?
It might have by now. That was posted 3 years ago