Mountain Bike Handlebar Stem Riser
Bike Handlebar Options
There are a number of options when it comes to handlebars, and which ones you need to pay attention to depend on the kind of riding you’ll be doing and what style matches the physical proportions of your body. Here are the main options to consider:
Width: One measure for handlebars is their size from end to end. Narrow handlebars give you less turning power but more precise steering, sensitivity to slight movements. Wider handlebars give you leverage; they may not be as responsive to steering, but they give you a more stable, controlled ride, especially on rough terrain. You normally want handlebars that are as wide as your shoulder bones. Handlebars that are narrower than your shoulders will constrict your breathing, because your arms are holding your chest inward. If your arms spread out too much wider than your shoulders, you actually begin to lose leverage.
Material: Most handlebars are made of either steel, chromoly (a steel alloy), aluminum, or carbon fiber. Aluminum and carbon are lighter and more comfortable than steel and chromoly. You’ll save weight with carbon, but you’ll end up paying more for it. On flat bars made of steel, aluminum, or chromoly, you can shorten the width by cutting the ends.
Sweep: Handlebars may also have a certain amount of sweep (the angle that the handlebars bend either forward or backward from the stem clamp). The benefit of greater sweep is that it allows your wrists to be in a more natural and comfortable bent position. It also brings the bars back closer to you for easier control.
Taper: Some handlebars are narrower toward the ends. This saves weight and keeps the handlebars strong where they need to be.
Flare: On flared handlebars, the handlebar ends flare out rather than dropping straight down. They’re used in off-road racing.
Butting: Butting takes material out of the center section of the tube, while leaving the ends of the tube thicker where it’s needed for joint strength. Butting is used to increase the strength of the handlebars without adding weight. Butting is most often found toward the center of the handlebars. This design is used on specialized handlebars particularly risers used for downhill mountain-bike racing.
Bar ends: Bar ends are extensions added to the end of flat handlebars. They give you an increased number of positions for your hands and provide leverage when you’re climbing, by helping you move your weight back and lower your center of gravity.
If you’re shopping for new handlebars, make sure you check the clamp size for your stem. The most popular clamp size with road and mountain bikes is 25.4mm. In recent years, an oversize 31.8mm clamp size has been becoming popular on some mountain and road bikes. If you’re unsure of what size you have on your bike, check the owner’s manual or visit your local bike shop.
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