A head tube extension is a bicycle accessory used to increase the height of the head tube and therefore the position of the handlebars on a bicycle. It consists of an additional piece of tube that slides onto the existing head tube and a set of bolts to attach the piece of tube to the head tube.
Advantages of head tube extension
Using a head tube extension has several advantages:
- It allows cyclists to adjust their sitting position to achieve a more comfortable and ergonomic posture on the bike. This is particularly useful for people who suffer from back or neck pain , or who have difficulty bending into a lower position due to limitations in their mobility.
- A head tube extension is also useful for adjusting bikes with a frame that is too small to fit the rider . When a bike frame is too small, it can cause the handlebars to sit too low and the rider to have poor posture. A head tube extension can help compensate for this lack of fit and improve rider comfort.
Disadvantages of head tube extension
However, it is important to note that using a head tube extension also has some disadvantages:
- Firstly, it can make the bike less stable and less agile to ride. If the head tube becomes too high, it can also lead to an uncomfortable and unsafe riding experience as the rider can feel like they are losing their balance.
- Another disadvantage is that a head tube extension increases the weight of the bike and may incur additional costs .