Why isnt my stem for the handlebars long enough to reach through to tighten it at the bottom?

If you actually mean the handlebar stem (inserted into the fork column) then you may be missing the expander plug at the bottom of the stem. This this link for pictures and an explanation of how the stem tightens. Hands Up Or Down Adjusting Handlebar Stem Height on Your Bicycle It is possible that the expander is inside the fork column and can be removed by turning the bike upside down, pushing it out from the bottom or some other more creative methods. If the expander is nowhere to be found a bike shop or bike co-op can help.

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There is a black or gray rubber plug in the handlebar stem that you can pull out with your fingers. Use a #6 Allen wrench to loosen the stem wedge bolt (only loosen, do not remove!) this will enable you to lift the handlebars and stem up. When you have it at the desired height, tighten the bolt back up with the Allen wrench. Note: on the side of the stem is a "minimum insertion mark" do not raise the stem high enough to be able to read this, if you do then it is too high. The stem could break or come loose if you raise it above this mark and void any warranty.

There are typically two allen bolts that mount on the side of the handlebar stem. Those should be tightened. The top one should only be tightened to remove up and down play in the headset. If you tighten the top one too tight, steering will feel clunky. Only tighten the top one tight enough to remove the up/down play. Use the side bolts to keep the handlebars from turning relative to the wheel.

There are two sets of bolts here. The first one is straight up and down, is probably the one that takes and Allen wrench and is the one that tightens the handlebar stem - that's the pipe that goes down into the frae toward the front wheel. At the bottom of that bolt (inside the bike frame where you cannot see it) is a wedge-shaped nut that wedges the stem tight. If the stem is loose, then you will be able to stand in front of the bike with the front wheel between your knees and turn the handlebars side to side, and if it is loose enough you will be able to pull the whole stem right out of the bike. On the other hand, maybe you mean that the handlebars twisted down (so that the ends of the handlebars are pointed toward the ground - this would mean that the other bolt or set of bolts are loose. Some bikes have one bolt that clamps the top of the stem around the handlebars, and some have 4 smaller screws that do this. If this is where the problem is, then no, you don't need to buy the Allen wrench, but it sounds like you might need a bolt.

I'm answering 7 years later. I have a Schwinn Varsity 2500 Bike made probably in 2015. The Schwinn Varsity Bike is not set up the same way as a traditional bike. I loosened the center compression bolt and the two side stem clamp bolts and it came loose where I can adjust it up or down but, there's nothing to tighten the slack up below. I did some research. My original post here was to add or remove a spacer. I think you can remove a spacer to lower but, I don't think the stem is long enough to add another one. I've seen they sell an extension that you can add-on to make the handle bars higher.

There's a ring nut between the stem of the handlebars (The stem is the vertical part of the handlebars) and the frame of the bike where the handlebars connect into the frame. The handlebar stem goes down through the ring nut into the frame.

Loosen the ring nut and you'll be able to raise the handlebars. There's a mark on the handlebar stem which indicates the highest point that the handlebars can be raised to. If you raise it above this there won't be enough of it in the frame and this can cause the stem to break when pressure comes on it. Also when tightening the ring nut up again make sure you have the handlebars and front wheel lined up.

You may have a bike that is too small for you. If you are unable to return it the stem can be replaced by one that raises the bars more or that does not go forward as far, or the bars can be raised by using what is called a "stem riser". It is best to refer to a bike shop for info on purchasing the correct stem/riser or installing such an item, but below is an example of one stem riser and install videos.. Origin8 Tra Lift Stem Riser 75mm Black 1 1 8 stem riser Google Search

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If you just need to raise the height of the stem, all you need to do is loosen the hex nut at the top of the handlebar stem with a box wrench or adjustable wrench. This is the head of the stem bolt. Once loosened enough the stem should slide up and completely out (if necessary) of the stem casing. There is a tightening mechanism consisting of two soft metal pieces that tighten against each other when the stem bolt is tightened. When this is loose you can raise the stem to various heights. If you find you cannot raise it to your desired height you may need to replace the stem and bolt. However, if the bike has been sized properly to fit your leg length, you should have no problem there. Once the height of the stem is satisfactory just tighten the bolt while keeping the stem straight and you'll be ready to go!

You haven't given me much to go on, but a common problem is to mis-identify where to tighten. There is a large nut (about 1-1/4 inch) that is the locking nut for the headset (which is where the bearings are that allow the fork to turn and steer the bike). This large nut does not tighten the handlebars. Rather, there is a long bolt that travels straight down through the handlebar stem. The handlebar stem is the bar that clamps to the middle of the handlebars and extends vertically down into the headset. At the bottom of the bolt (where you cannot see it) there is a wedge shaped nut. When you tighten this bolt the wedge nut jams itself inside the tube which is the top of the forks inside the headset, thereby locking the handlebar stem to the the forks. The head of the bolt you need to tighten can have a variety of shapes - could be an ordinary hex head, or it may require an Allen wrench (hex key). There are lots of different styles, but if you Google images of "handlebar stem" you will get the idea. good luck. Al K

You can only raise a quill stem os far safely. Loosen the vertical center bolt that's in line with the steerer tube a few turns and then tap down on it with a block of wood or rubber mallet to unseat it. The stem should be loose enough to turn independently of the front wheel. You can also raise it somewhat, but look carefully for the "maximum height" or equivalent markings etched into the stem body. Don't expose any more stem than up to that line. Line up your handlebars with the front wheel and securely tighten that bolt. It should be tight enough to vigorously resist independent rotation when you hold the front wheel bewteen your knees and attempt to turn the handlebars.

If it's a new-style threadless type stem, the maximum height was determined when they assembled the bike because they had to cut the steerer tube to be below the top edge of the stem. Go to a Bike Shop and have them replace the stem with one that has a higher rise or shorter reach.