Cruzbike Chris
Well-Known Member
I just completed 10,000 miles on My Silvio last week, according to Strava. I have tried several mods from trying a 150mm chain-stay extension, 100mm extension, set pads and different handlebar combinations. I have settled on no extension for now until my machinist can take some time and make me a new one, probably go for 70mm this time some time after the first of the year. I am still hitting the chainstay with my heel on longer rides when I start getting relaxed or tired which ever way you want to look at it.
As far as handlebar configuration, I have settled on the Deda Crononero Low Rider TT Base Bar 44cm x 31.7mm, a lot like Mrs. Ratz setup with the ends trimmed. I am really happy with the brifters and never cared for bar ends. I was always having a little shoulder pain with the opened up standard Silvio bars. They were just never comfortable to me and I had changed them around more than a dozen times. I also didn't' like having to lean them on the walls at rest stops with the shifters sticking out and with the wide spread, going through doors for trainer setup inside and all. I really like the Deda bars and have no plans on changing them.
So now to the purpose of this post. I could never get the head/neck rest adjust right and always felt uncomfortable in my neck bend and have been watching all the mod posts and changes and wasn't really happy with any of them. Sooooo....I tried a little different approach similar to some of the others with the heights adjustments but with a twist. I was afraid to cut too much off and not be happy with it. I was walking through Tractor Supply Company looking for Christmas gifts for my 2 boys the other day and stumbled on a thing called a Set Screw Coupling and had a light come on, this will be it!
I first bought the 3/4” but found them to be too big so went back and got a 1/2” pair that were too small. I setup a little jig in my vise and drilled out the 1/2” ones to just fit the head/neck rest tubes using a 3/4” bit and then sanded it down and cleaned it up. These are basically EMT electrical conduit couplings used in commercial electrical work and can be found at any hardware store, Loews or Home Depot.
I measured up just past the curve on the bar and cut off 20mm to start, figuring I would then have plenty of room for adjustments. I was spot on. This is no doubt the best mod I have ever made.
I have ridden on this setup for almost 200 miles now and truly love it. I have only adjusted it once in the beginning about 5mm. I have a Giro Shield helmet and always had a problem getting it to set just right on the pad as most of you have also stated. My setup now works perfect with the padding right under my helmet and very very comfortable.
As far as handlebar configuration, I have settled on the Deda Crononero Low Rider TT Base Bar 44cm x 31.7mm, a lot like Mrs. Ratz setup with the ends trimmed. I am really happy with the brifters and never cared for bar ends. I was always having a little shoulder pain with the opened up standard Silvio bars. They were just never comfortable to me and I had changed them around more than a dozen times. I also didn't' like having to lean them on the walls at rest stops with the shifters sticking out and with the wide spread, going through doors for trainer setup inside and all. I really like the Deda bars and have no plans on changing them.
So now to the purpose of this post. I could never get the head/neck rest adjust right and always felt uncomfortable in my neck bend and have been watching all the mod posts and changes and wasn't really happy with any of them. Sooooo....I tried a little different approach similar to some of the others with the heights adjustments but with a twist. I was afraid to cut too much off and not be happy with it. I was walking through Tractor Supply Company looking for Christmas gifts for my 2 boys the other day and stumbled on a thing called a Set Screw Coupling and had a light come on, this will be it!
I first bought the 3/4” but found them to be too big so went back and got a 1/2” pair that were too small. I setup a little jig in my vise and drilled out the 1/2” ones to just fit the head/neck rest tubes using a 3/4” bit and then sanded it down and cleaned it up. These are basically EMT electrical conduit couplings used in commercial electrical work and can be found at any hardware store, Loews or Home Depot.
I measured up just past the curve on the bar and cut off 20mm to start, figuring I would then have plenty of room for adjustments. I was spot on. This is no doubt the best mod I have ever made.
I have ridden on this setup for almost 200 miles now and truly love it. I have only adjusted it once in the beginning about 5mm. I have a Giro Shield helmet and always had a problem getting it to set just right on the pad as most of you have also stated. My setup now works perfect with the padding right under my helmet and very very comfortable.
