How to Raise Mountain Bike Handlebars (For a More Comfortable Ride)

If your mountain bike feels too aggressive or uncomfortable, raising the handlebars can make a huge difference. In this video, I show exactly how I raised the bars on my vintage 1987 Takara MTB to get a more upright and relaxed riding position. You’ll learn: ✅ How to swap a stem and handlebars for better fit ✅ Why raising your handlebar height improves comfort ✅ What to watch out for when replacing vintage bike parts I replaced the original slingshot stem and low chrome bars with a high-rise chrome handlebar and BMX-style stem. The result? A drastically more comfortable ride—and a bike that finally fits my 5’9” frame. This method works for vintage bikes, budget mountain bikes, and anyone trying to make an old bike more rideable again. Whether you're new to cycling, a casual rider, or trying to make your older bike more comfortable—this is the upgrade to try. 🔧 Need to fix shifting too? Watch my full video on how I put a simple twist shifter and drivetrain on this bike 👉 🛠️ Parts Used in This Video • Wald 803 Chrome High Rise Handlebar – https://amzn.to/4kCfIOP Subscribe for more retro bike upgrades, DIY mountain bike repairs, and budget bike builds. https://www.youtube.com/@diymountainbike 🔖 Hashtags #MountainBikeComfort, #HandlebarUpgrade, #RaiseBikeHandlebars, #VintageMTB, #DIYMountainBike, #BudgetBikeBuild, #OldBikeUpgrade Links to the stuff I actually use: 🚲 Crank Brothers M19 multi-tool https://amzn.to/2SHxNnd 🚲 High rise MTB Handle Bars https://amzn.to/3xkkE1O 🚲 Shorter MTB Stem to reduce reach https://amzn.to/2RT9JNG 🚲 Comfy mountain bike grips that come in cool colors https://amzn.to/2Tv1nfp 🚲 A great cost effective bike stand is the Bikehand https://amzn.to/2Tpayy3 🚲Tools Bikehand sells a 37 pcs Bike Repair Tool Kit https://amzn.to/3pTncl1 🚲 I love my Quad Lock Phone Holder get the Mount https://amzn.to/3wpweJc 🚲 You'll also need a phone case lots to pick from https://amzn.to/3wn3d0r 🚲 You can also check out the UPGRADED machined aluminum Quad Lock mount https://amzn.to/3wnCIYK 🚲 Quad Lock also sells an adhesive mount to hold your phone in the car https://amzn.to/3wnCIYK ************************************************************************* I only recommend items I actually OWN and use. The links above may provide a small advertising commission at no added cost to you.