Flat Bar vs Riser Bar (and a discussion on handlebar width)
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This video discusses the difference between a flat mountain bike handlebar and a riser bar. I also discuss handlebar width and the effect on bike handling.
Comments
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Clint- I have an off topic question regarding NOX carbon wheels and if you are friends have any feedback on them? I recently purchased a Focus Raven Max SL with XTR so no upgrades needed there but it has DT 1700 wheels and they are basically 1700 grams so looking to lighten up. I just came across the NOX company located and built in Tenn. but the actual carbon rim is imported from Japan. Seems I can get a pair with Industry 9 Torch hubs for just under 1800.00 so a significant savings of almost 1000.00 compared to the ENVE and weight is comparable
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What are those grips?
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Sorry but you've got this almost completely wrong! Wide bars don't make steering more sensitive at all, they do the exact opposite! With a long bar your hands have to move further to generate a given amount of turn than they would with a shorter bar, meaning they are less sensitive. They are more accurate because of the larger range of motion. They are also easier to turn because of the lever effect. Think you are spot on regarding the rise of the bar and it's benefits though.
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I have 780mm wide 30mm rise and Idk the sweeps. My old bike had 800mm ish wide and 35mm ride also don't know the sweeps. but I prefer wide high bars for dirt jumping.
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Thanks. Good video. I guess the truth is that we all have to experiment to find the right setup -- and our setup needs change as we develop our riding skills.
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I really like the feel of long stem/ narrow bars/ curly bar ends. It sounds so 90s but I love that feeling. Wide bars make me feel like I can turn the bars too easily and makes me steer too far
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Since I switched to wider bars/shorter stem I can't find myself riding anything shorter than 730/740mm bars and can't understand how some people still rides narrow bars (I get the longer stem for fitting/body position issues) so much more control on the bike.
Another thing I realized when playing with rise on handlebars is that putting spacers under or over the stem obviously helps you get the desired height but it also changes the reach/toptube length, so something to take into consideration if you are very particular about your setup or are very sensitive to small changes, in my case I can feel the difference in changes as small as 5mms in saddle height or fore/aft movement. -
your bike is to small 4 u
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Excellent video. I was hoping to get some other input on this topic. Great stuff!
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"longer bar make the bike to be more sensitive to steering inputs". I agree. definitely.
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I miss polished aluminum parts.
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I went wider by just 2.5 cm to 700mm and to a flat bar on my XTC Advanced 27.5 med, but after 2 hours I wanted to sit upright, my lower back was hurting as well as my arms and neck. I went back to the slightly narrower and higher bar, feeling instantly better. My stem was already at 90mm so I didn't want to go shorter just so I could have a wider bar. I ride mostly open roads and gravel or very narrow singletrack and I'm a smaller guy so slighter narrower made sense for me. So many factors in choosing a handlebar....
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I have a trail bike with 700mm, what do most people have?
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Haven't we known this since the 80s, we we were all riding BMX bikes? I feel like mountain bikes with narrow bars took a step backwards in the late 80s and 90s, just to set themselves apart from BMX. Which they are now realizing was silly, as people are now using wide riser bars with hard tail suspensions. In my opinion these are now just modified BMX bikes. I am happy about this, because I feel like I can ride a mountain bike now, without feeling so uncomfortable.
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Very insightful, Mr. Gibbs. Thanks! :)
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forgot to mention I have stopped buying xc bikes and hardtails all together, the enduros can fit the bill given correct setup. Go light, carbon rims, say 30 mm internal width 68 ha, I recommend a carbon setback seatpost if nothing rubs. if your over 210 lbs stick to tubes but miles vary, adjustable travel suspension. your good , that will do the most.
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All those XC bikes make feel that over the bars feeling, now days I use short stem around 30-45mm and a set back seat post and riser bars. 720-740 with 40 mm rise. this does wonders for xc bikes, pushes back my center and lightens the front end.this is awesome for tall guys as well. really opens up the legs without feeling hunched over.everyone has their sweet spot, find it!
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that is hardly a riser bar jeezuz, on my trailstar im using long travel bomber single crown forks 75mm rise wingbars, im convinced high bars are better in every situation, comfort and lifting the front mainly, dont tell me a low front end is better for climbing thats bs, low front end bikes just damage your neck.
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Great channel, great detailed info, thanks
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Hey there!
I recently bought a Mondraker Foxy All mountain bike with 140mm suspension front & rear @ 27.5 wheels. I'm coming from a 29er XC bike on which I felt comfortable.
Since I got the Mondraker which is longer slacker and lower, on the first ride I felt a bit of neck pain and I can't wrap my head around the cause. I adjusted the saddle just a bit in a more forwad position , but the thing that still feels really different to my 29er is the handlebar height. It feels really low on my Mondraker. I was thinking of putting a 38mm Nukeproof riserbar , and maybe that can help. Any thoughts on this?
Thanks!
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