We all know that while the Surron LBX is impressively quick, it is still a relatively small bike for a full sized adult. But the good news? There are so many aftermarket parts that you can add to your Surron to make it feel super awesome. Big power, on-point suspension, gnarlier tires… but to truly make it feel perfectly matched to you, you need to work on the ergonomics.
Ok, so maybe this isn’t as exciting as adding a heap more Kilowatts, but trust me, you’ll be able to make your LBX perform so much better with a few small, inexpensive tweaks. And if you set up your e-moto correctly, you’ll be able to ride for many, many years without stuffing up your body. My 37-year-old wrist wishes I had read this article in my teenage years!
What is a Surron handlebar riser?
A handlebar riser is just that, it’s an additional part that rises the handlebars by a few inches. Depending on what manufacturer you purchase your riser from, you can get various heights, but you also want to find one that is quality made, with a thicker clamp to help with the rigidity.
When you see ‘direct mount’ stem riser, this explains that the riser connects directly with the top of the triple clamp. The typical OEM mount is a post mount.
Do bar risers make a difference?
Better ergonomics on your Surron isn’t just about looking cool. It will actually make you ride better! Think about this: if you have an office job working on a computer, do you find you get a sore back and neck if the screens are at the wrong height? Perhaps you find the keyboard awkward and you can’t hit the right keys all the time? Same deal on your Surron, except riding your Surron is a bit more fun!
How to choose a handlebar riser
There are two components to look for when talking about handlebar height.
- The first is the riser – the mount that connects your handlebars to the rest of your bike.
- The second is the actual handlebar. There are so many options for different styles of handlebars which increase the height, sweep, width, etc..
The best way to work out what you need is to sit on your bike, or stand if you ride on the pegs often. Put your Surron on a stand, or get a mate to help to get into the right position. You should have a good balanced feel. Not too heavy on your wrists, not leaning backward or too upright.
Another trick is to get your friend to take a photo, then you’ll be able to see what you need to adjust. Think about if you need to move your handlebars upward, inward or towards you. It should feel natural.
There are plenty of other options to modify a Surron LBX for better egros – check out this article here for a full rundown on mods to customize your bike to you here.
How do you fit a handlebar riser?
With a few basic tools, it is relatively simple to mount the handlebar riser. Here are the basic steps you’ll need to take for the GritShift direct mount riser, the one we make ourselves:
- Remove the handlebar
- Cut the steering post to the right level. Alternatively, you can add extra spacers and leave the post there, but this isn’t recommended.
- Add the spacer and the stem cap to the stem
- Remove the star nut from the part of the steering post you removed. (Skip this step if you didn’t cut the stem tube or are using a stem lock)
- Place the star nut back into the stem tube on your bike.
- Put your direct mount onto the triple camp with the screws in the kit.
- Replace the handlebar and check the location of levers etc
- Check that everything you loosened is tightened correctly!
- Test ride and recheck.
Stem lock or Star nut?
When you removed the star nut in the stock tube, did you notice it’s pretty flimsy? This little strange-looking nut holds your handlebars in place and in alignment with the steering tube. If that raises questions with you, due to the importance placed on this small part, have a look into a stem lock.
A stem lock is a big bolt that goes from the top of your steering tube and ‘locks’ at the bottom, where the steering tube connects with the frame. It is a much stronger option.
Read this article here which discusses everything to do with stem locks and why they make your e-moto much stronger.
What about the levers?
Once you have your handlebars at the correct height, it’s time to think about the levers. An e-moto is easier as there is no clutch, but you still need to have both brake levers easily accessible. Again, get onto your Surron and sit or stand as you would when riding. Put a finger on the brake lever. Is there a straight line from your elbow to your finger? If not, rotate the lever up or down to minimize any bend in your wrist.
If you have the option on your brake lever, do you need to adjust it inwards or outwards? You should get a full movement of the lever comfortably without it hitting your hand or overextending your finger to grab the lever. Adjust to set it in the correct position. You can also move the lever along the handlebar slightly to find the perfect placement for you.
Take your Surron out for a ride! How do the new changes feel? Do you need to make any further adjustments? Make small tweaks until you feel perfectly natural on your e-moto.
Surron Ergonomics
Now that you’ve done some modding with your handlebars, have a think about how your footpegs are feeling, and how the seat height is. Check out the article that dives into all things ergonomics on your Surron here.
Ok, I know I told you ergonomics isn’t as riveting as some other mods, but if you get your ergos perfectly set up, everything else will work so much better. Well done for getting to the end of this article! Now, go and read this article that is all about big power mods to get the excitement going!!
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