I have been hemming and hawing about getting rid of The Tank, my Surly CrossCheck bicycle. Over the last two years I’ve been getting pain between my shoulder blades and below my neck whenever I ride it.

On Monday I bought a new stem. It’s about the same length as the old one but has a 30-ish degree rise. it gives me a slightly more upright riding posture and moves the handlebars toward the rear by a few millimeters. It nearly matches The Mule in comfort.

I’ve ridden the new set up 180 miles in six days with no recurrence of the neck/back issue. The new stem has had no noticeable impact on the bike’s handling.

So The Tank stays in the stable.

Oddly, after picking up the bike last Monday my bike computer died during the first test ride.

Emily Littella, phone home.