User Guide

WARNING
22
HANDLEBARS, BAR-ENDS, AND STEM
Introduction
The handlebar assembly is primarily responsible for your ability to steer
and control the bike. In addition, the stem and handlebars work with the
seat to add comfort and efficiency to your cycling.
Inspection
Once a month, make sure the stem is in alignment with the front
wheel, and that all stem bolts are tight.
Tighten a stem expander bolt (Figs. 27 and 29) to 175-260 lb•in
(19.8-29.4 Nm). Tighten handlebar clamp bolts on mountain stems
(Figs. 27-28) to 100-120 lb•in (11.3-13.6 NM) on welded stems, or 150-
180 lb•in (17-20.3 NM) on forged stems, and 80-100 lb•in (9-11.3 NM) on
4-bolt BMX stems (Fig. 29). Tighten steerer clamp bolts on mountain
bike direct connect stems (Fig. 28) to 100-120 lb•in (11.3-13.6 Nm). For
BMX direct connect stems tighten steerer clamp bolts to 145 lb•in
(16.4 Nm).
Some bikes are equipped with a stem having an adjustable rise, or
angle. With these stems, tighten the angle adjusting bolt (Fig. 27) to
150-170 lb•in (17-20.3 Nm) after first making sure the teeth are correctly
engaged, with the corresponding teeth entered between the teeth of the
mating part.
If you are unsure of which type of stem your bike is equipped with,
consult your Fisher dealer.
Test the security of the handlebars in the stem, and the stem in
the frame, by attempting to twist the handlebars in the stem and by
attempting to turn them from side to side with the front wheel locked
between your knees (Fig. 31). Make sure that no cables are stretched or
pinched by rotating the handlebars.
Bar-ends
Some Fisher bicycles include handlebar extensions attached to
standard all terrain handlebars. These
grips, or bar-ends (Fig. 30), are designed
for climbing only. Never allow your bar-
ends to come in contact with objects which
may cause you to lose control of your
bicycle. Ensure that the bar-ends face
forward and away from you, the rider, and
that the bar-ends are pointing upwards
from the handlebars at an angle not less
than 15° from parallel to the ground.
Once a month tighten your bar-end clamp
bolts to 85-125 lb•in (9.6-14.1 Nm) to prevent
them from rotating on the handlebars.
Loose bar-ends, incorrectly positioned bar-ends, or catching bar-ends
on objects may cause loss of control resulting in personal injury.
Fig. 30
Fig. 27
Angle
adjusting
bolt
Handlebar
clamp bolts
Stem
expander
bolt
Steerer clamp bolts
Fig. 28
Handlebar clamp bolts
Fig. 29
Handlebar
clamp bolts
Stem expander bolt
Stem wedge