Why have mountain bike handlebars gotten so wide?

Over the years, mountain bike handlebars have got progressively wider, because increased width can improve control of the bike. Some also believe it can open up your chest and improve breathing. The wider the bar, the more leverage you can apply to the front wheel to force the bike onto more aggressive lines.

Are my MTB handlebars too wide?

If the bars paired with that stem are too wide, the steering will feel even slower, you will be bent over too much at the hips, and a strong riding position will be compromised. Narrower bars are used in this case to keep your chest open even when leaning forward in a climbing position.

How wide should your mountain bike handlebars be?

Handlebar width should purely depend on the size of the rider and more importantly the width of their shoulders. The most common mountain bike handlebar widths range from around 710mm to 780mm. However, shorter riders may require much narrower bars, and very tall riders may require a full 800mm handlebar.

Are wider handlebars more comfortable?

If your handlebars are too narrow, your shoulders feel strained when riding in this position. Bars that are wider than your shoulders feel more natural if you ride with your elbows locked.

How does handlebar width affect handling?

If you change your handlebar's width, then you'll also change how your bike rides. Making the switch to a narrower handlebar will wake up the front end of your bike making it more twitchy and easier to maneuver; while a wider bar will increase the stability of your front end and provide a calmer feel than before.

How Wide Should Your Mountain Bike Handlebars Be? GMBN's Guide To Bar Width

How do I make my mountain bike handlebars more comfortable?

Swap your bar tape or grips

The best mountain bike grips will increase shock absorption and grip on a mountain bike (or any other flat-bar bike). Most quality grips will lock onto your bars, so you don't have to worry about them rotating in your hands. If you've got large hands, a longer grip may help with comfort too.

Do wide handlebars increase reach?

Wider will make reach longer but not too much unless your smallish. The bars can also be shortened. If you do get new bars I'd ride them abit before cutting to see what works.

Are 800mm handlebars too wide?

But handlebars can also be too wide. The widest production 'bars reach over 800mm and there is a very limited market for them. Even the most committed gravity riders and downhill daredevils can't find use for a handlebar that much greater than 800mm in width, unless they are exceptionally tall or broad shouldered.

How wide should my bicycle handlebars be?

The standard fitting advice is to get a handlebar as wide as the measurement between your AC joints. Those are the bumps atop your shoulders where the collarbone attaches just inboard of your deltoid muscle. But many riders prefer a handlebar slightly wider than their shoulders. A wide bar opens the chest.

What is standard handlebar width?

Width: Most companies measure a bar's width between the center of each drop. Common sizes are 38, 40, 42, and 44cm.

Do Carbon MTB bars make a difference?

So, the marketing hype around carbon bars isn't just marketing hype. They actually made quite a bit of difference in the ride quality of my bike. They reduced hand and arms fatigue considerably. There's the added benefit that they're a bit lighter too.

Why are mountain bike handlebars so low?

Generally speaking, a lower handlebar height reduces your centre of gravity. By placing more weight over the front wheel, you increase traction. Additionally, a lower bar height provides a more centred position between both wheels to improve bike control, especially during climbing.

Why are handlebars so wide now?

Over the years, mountain bike handlebars have got progressively wider, because increased width can improve control of the bike. Some also believe it can open up your chest and improve breathing. The wider the bar, the more leverage you can apply to the front wheel to force the bike onto more aggressive lines.

How wide should flat bars be?

Common 'standard' widths for flat bars are 580 or 600mm (compared to 685mm for risers) but bars will feature graduated markings on the grip ends so they can be cut down to preference.

What width bars for XC?

Since then times have changed and manufacturers regularly spec 740mm wide handlebars as stock on all of their XC bikes.

How much does handlebar width affect reach?

I've always gone by the rule that a change in reach is about the same as doubling that increase in bar width. So if you increase bar width by 2", you would need to decrease reach by 1".

Are narrower bars faster?

Narrow handlebars can speed up handling and decrease steering accuracy, which isn't what you want when riding off-road, or if you're a less experienced rider.

Can I cut my MTB handlebars?

Place the handlebars in a bike stand and clamp down so they are parallel with the floor. Use a lock-on grip as a guide if using a hacksaw to ensure a straight cut. Use smooth strokes for a clean cut using a hacksaw and file any sharp edges. Put your bars back on your bike, add grips and accessories.

How do I reduce my mountain bike reach?

A shorter stem and/or bar with more setback (horizontal distance from stem clamp to the grips) will indeed shorten your bike's reach and potentially improve your RAD (Rider Area Distance – distance from bottom bracket to grips) situation. Many of us need to do this on these modern, longer bikes.

Should mountain bike seat be higher than handlebars?

As a general rule of thumb, you want the top of the handlebar about as high (or higher than) the saddle, unless you're a sporty rider looking to ride fast. Try touching your elbow to the nose of the saddle and reaching forward towards the handlebar with your hand.

What is the correct handlebar height?

For a performance road position, the top of the handlebar should be about 5-6 cm below the mid-point of the saddle. 4. For a recreational road bike position, the top of the handlebar should be level with the mid-point of the saddle, or maybe a couple of centimetres below.

Why are mountain bike seats so uncomfortable?

Mountain bike seats are hard to provide adequate firm support to your ischial tuberosities or sit bones as they are referred. The shifting movements of pedaling require freedom of movement and padding in only the correct place to avoid damage to your soft tissues.

Are handlebars worth upgrading?

Choosing the correct bars can increase comfort, making it easier to ride for longer. If it's easier to get down into the drops and stay there for longer, then you may be able to ride faster as you'll be in a more aerodynamic position.