Choosing Mountain Bike Handlebars

If you’ve never bought a mountain bike handlebar before, congratulations, you’re about to discover an important part of your bike that you probably never thought of. The steering wheel is simple, right? They allow you to keep the bike and spin it whenever you want. But there are many influencing factors. So brace yourself, we’ll detail every choice you’ll have to make when buying mountain bike handlebars. 

But first, the short version is for people who want the “what” without the “how”. Most riders will be happy with a mountain bike handlebar the same diameter as anything on their bike before, with a 20-30mm lift, 5° down and 8°, made of aluminum, and is available in stock with a width of 800 mm and can be cut. This is the simplest bone, the simplest set of standards. But why choose a “standard” handlebar when you can find one that’s perfect for you and your driving style? We’ll break down these stats and explain how they affect your bike handling, so you can find the right handlebars for the rest of your ride. 

Handlebar Diameter

Your handlebar diameter refers to the outside diameter of the rod in the center where the body clamps it. There are only two options for mountain bikers:
31.8mm or 35mm. Why do we need two options? Initially, all bikes had 31.8mm handlebars and most people were happy with them. But along the way, as the bike and fork became stiffer, people noticed that those smaller diameter rods flexed a bit and gave a hazy feeling when controlling their bike. This is how the standard 35mm diameter bar is made. The larger diameter makes the slats much stiffer without a significant increase in weight. Also, the 31.8mm and 35mm sizes taper to the same width at the handles, so the only difference is the size of the bar you use. 

For most riders, 31.8mm bars are fine. However, if you’re a stronger racer and trying to tackle technical terrain, you might appreciate the 35mm bars. On the other hand, some people find the 35mm bars a bit stiffer, they prefer the extra flex of the smaller bar and find it helps reduce trail noise. However, for most athletes, the difference is so small that it is barely noticeable just by touch. So, in general, get the bar diameter your current trunk works on. This must be stated directly on the bodywork and if not, your local bike shop will be able to tell. 

Handlebar Material

Once you’ve determined your diameter, you’re faced with another choice:
Carbon or aluminum? This is also quite simple. Carbon MTB handlebars are more expensive, lighter and stiffer. Aluminum MTB handlebars are cheaper, heavier, and generally less stiff. Again, the difference here is subtle. Most people wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between carbon and aluminum by feel. So if you’re having fun or trying to build an ultralight bike, stick with carbon of course. But if you’re looking to spend that money on travel rather than parts, there’s no significant performance penalty on the aluminum handlebars. Either way, be sure to use a torque wrench and scrubber when setting up your body, grip, and controller. Over-tightening the bars can cause them to fail at the worst times. 

Handlebar Width

Handlebar width is probably the factor you’ll pay the most attention to when cycling around a parking lot. The distance between your hands changes the feel and direction of the entire bike. Most slats are available in 800mm width, with markings to cut them to your desired width. In general, wider bars improve stability and narrower bars improve handling. Cross-country racers are more likely to be at the narrower end of the scale, while trail, enduro and downhill racers tend to prefer wider handlebars. 

The final width you get will take into account your bike’s height, wingspan, reach and angle, body length, and riding style. So we won’t go into all of that here. Instead, we would say that for most riders, 800 mm bars are suitable for people over 6 feet tall, plus or minus a few inches. As the rider gets shorter, the bars get narrower. See the bars you’ve used in the past and use them as a starting point to determine your desired width. But don’t be afraid to extend your bar for a while and experiment. You may find that you like them a little wider, and you can always trim them later. 

The Rise Of Handlebars

Most mountain bike bars are not flat, but have a handle higher than the center of the bar. It’s called hill climbing, and it helps the bike support itself naturally. How high you will run is a very personal choice. The taller bars give you more of a rearward position on the bike, which can help you focus on the ramps. Conversely, the lower lift bars pull you up to the front of the bike and allow for better handling when climbing uphill. Most people will do better with something in the middle of the road, in the 20mm range. If you’re building a pure XC bike, consider bringing the price down. For a pure downhill bike, go higher. Either way, you can raise the mountain bike’s handlebars by moving the earpads, so the overall height can be easily adjusted. 

Upsweept Handlebars

Most mountain bike grips are not completely parallel to the ground. Instead, they point slightly upwards from the center of the bar. This allows your wrists to find a more natural position on the bar and allows you to use your muscles more efficiently. Most bars have an upward slope of about 5°. This will work for most people. The only exception is if you have a wrist injury that affects mobility. For these people, sometimes bars with more or less sweeps can make sense, and the only way to find out is to play around and find what’s most comfortable. You can adjust your slope to some extent by rolling the bars forward or backward. It will also change your backsweep, but feel free to experiment with different bar positions to find the one that works best for you. 

Backsweep On Handlebars

Most mountain bike grips are not completely parallel to the ground. Instead, they point slightly upwards from the center of the bar. This allows your wrists to find a more natural position on the bar and allows you to use your muscles more efficiently. Most bars have an upward slope of about 5°. This will work for most people. The only exception is if you have a wrist injury that affects mobility. For these people, bars with more or less sweeps can sometimes make sense, and the only way to find out is to play around and find what’s most comfortable. You can adjust your slope to some extent by rolling the bars forward or backward. It will also change your back sweep, but feel free to experiment with different bar positions to find the one that works best for you. 

Compliance & Vibration Damping

In recent years, manufacturers have focused on adding vibration damping to their bars. Basically, the goal was to build a mountain bike handlebar with a vertical stiffness of 35mm rods but the vibration damping properties of 31.8mm bars. These technologies make little difference to most cyclists. However, a more compliant steering wheel can be a good ticket if you have sore and tired wrists after going downhill. At the very least, you don’t lose any performance by choosing a bar with specific vibration-damping properties. But it’s well worth it to get more comfortable steering and tune your suspension to address those issues. Oftentimes, hand pain on a bike is caused by a combination of issues, including your grip, bars, suspension, tire pressure, and steering direction, so tweak them one by one to help. reduce discomfort. 

Choosing a Stem

Soft! You’ve found a great new rod, now all you need is a stem to catch it on your bike. Well… it’s a brand new Pandora’s box. For now, you just need to use the rod that came with your bike, since you used this guide your new bars should have the correct diameter to fit in, right? 

If you’re about to buy a new bar, here are the basics:
Just like bars, bars come in different lengths and heights. A higher overhang body will help you keep your front end on steep inclines, while a negative elevation body will help you climb slopes more accurately. Your bike can be designed around a body of a specific length. Look at the bar length that comes with the stock and keep that number in mind. It should not deviate more than 10 mm from the stock length in any direction. So if you want a bike that’s more comfortable and stable at speed, choose one with a 10mm shorter body. Or, if you want to optimize your bike for climbing and want to stretch your arms and torso a bit, buy a bike that’s 10mm longer. Either way, use a torque wrench to mount it to your fork and screw your bars into it. 

FAQ

How do I raise the handlebars on my mountain bike?

To raise your mountain bike handlebars, you can either install a higher angle stem or buy a stem with a higher stack height. Additionally, spacers can be added between the stem and headset to increase height. After making the necessary adjustments, make sure the handlebars are tight to prevent accidents while riding.

How do you measure mountain bike handlebars?

To measure a mountain bike handlebar, you need to measure the distance between the center of the handlebar attached to the stem and the end of the handlebar. This measurement is commonly referred to as the handlebar width. You can use a tape measure or ruler for this measurement.

To measure a mountain bike handlebar, you need to measure the distance between the center of the handlebar attached to the stem and the end of the handlebar. This measurement is commonly referred to as the handlebar width. You can use a tape measure or ruler for this measurement.

Why are mountain bike handlebars so wide?

Mountain bike handlebars are wider than traditional road bike handlebars for greater control and stability when riding off-road. The extra width gives the rider more power when steering and more space for accessories like lights and GPS devices.

How do I replace my mountain bike handlebar grips?

To replace your mountain bike handlebar grips, first remove the old grips by unbolting them or cutting them with a utility knife. Then wipe the handlebars with rubbing alcohol and slide the new grips onto the handlebars. Finally, install the new grips by tightening the bolts or pushing the bar end plugs into place.

How do you cut a mountain bike handlebar?

To cut a mountain bike handlebar, first remove the grips and accessories such as brake levers and shifters. Then measure the desired length and mark it on the handlebar with tape or a marker. Use a saw guide to make straight cuts and a hacksaw or pipe cutter to cut the handlebars to the required length. Finally, use a deburring tool or sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges.

What are the most important factors to consider when choosing a mountain bike handlebar?

There are several factors to consider when choosing a mountain bike handlebar, including material, width, rise, curvature, and clamp diameter. Materials can affect the weight, strength and stiffness of handlebars, while width, rise and curvature can affect riding position and comfort. The diameter of the clamp is also important as it must be compatible with the stem used.

How do I determine the proper width and rise for mountain bike handlebars?

The proper width and height for mountain bike handlebars depends on your riding style, body type, and personal preferences. In general, wider bars provide more control and stability, while narrower bars are more aerodynamic. Raised handlebars can affect your riding position. A higher bar will give you an upright position, while a lower bar will give you a more aggressive riding position. 

Are there different types of mountain bike handlebar materials? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

A variety of materials are used in mountain bike handlebars, including aluminum, carbon fiber, and titanium. Aluminum is the most commonly used material, relatively affordable and durable. Carbon fiber is lighter, more expensive, and offers a more comfortable ride, but may not be as durable as aluminum. Titanium is the most expensive material and is known for its strength, durability and comfort.

Can I install new handlebars on my mountain bike myself, or should I leave it to the professionals?

Although you can install the new handlebars on your Mountain Bike yourself, we recommend having a professional install them, especially if you’re new to bike maintenance. A professional bike mechanic will make sure your handlebars are installed correctly and safely.

Can I install new handlebars on my mountain bike myself, or should I leave it to the professionals?

Although you can install the new handlebars on your Mountain Bike yourself, we recommend having a professional install them, especially if you’re new to bike maintenance. A professional bike mechanic will make sure your handlebars are installed correctly and safely.

How do I know if a mountain bike handlebar is right for me, and what if not?

Proper fit on mountain bike handlebars depends on riding style, body type and personal preference. You know you have the right fit with comfort, control and stability. If you don’t fit properly, you may experience discomfort, pain, or loss of control. In this case, you may need to adjust the width, rise, or curvature of your handlebars, or consult a professional bike mechanic to find the right fit.