Mountain Biking - To Bar End or not to Bar End

It seems like Bar-ends have fallen out of favor with Mt. Bikers. I remember that a couple of years ago every mt. bike had Bar ends. Now, most don't.

My 96 Gary Fisher came with bar ends and I used them extensively. I also hooked them on branches on several occasions sending down to the ground. My latest bike does not have Bar ends and I've gotten accustomed to climbing without them. My new bike is a Medium while my Fisher was a size small so maybe this has something to do with the fact that I don't miss Bar Ends on the C-dale.

How does everybody else feel about Bar Ends? Do you use them? Do you use a riser bar and bar ends? And if so, do you get laughed at?

I always kind of wanted to get some, because I thought they would help me on some of the steep city hills. I didn't know they had become un-cool. I'm glad, because now I don't have to get any. :)

(I was also discouraged from getting them because I read how certain kinds of fittings would weaken your handlebar.)

I run riser bars without bar ends on my SS MTB, and flat bars with bar ends on my geared MTB and my fixed gear road bike.

I like the width and sweep (bend) of risers, so I'm going to get a pair of Titec Hell Bent flat bars for the geared MTB. They are like risers w/o the rise. I'll continue to run the bar ends on them and see how I like it. I've always liked bar ends, but since running the risers, I haven't really missed them because of the width. I've seen people running stubby bar ends w/ risers.

Conclusion: run what you like. If people laugh, who cares, this isn't a fashion show.

I run bar ends on the Breezer, but I do not on the KHS. The KHS has riser bars so there is no need to use them. I have used them extensively for 8+ years and have no complaints. However I do seem to use just simply what works. If someone thinks it is outdated or uncool then so what. I do not ride for a popularity contest I ride for fun.

Servus!

I run bar-ends on my old trek but not on my new beauty due to having Biogrips. I almost never used then for real "climbing" but more as a "on-the-hoods" style of position to relieve wrist and hand pain. Now that I have the Biogrips, I don't need the bar-ends. Have to give propst to riderx - who cares what you look like! Be a rebel, do what you want!

I have always had bar ends on my MTB, but have notice recently that I rarely use them. I would say I use them more for comfort related hand postioning. I should take them off, but that would require work (moving the brakes/shifters), so it may be a while.

Bar ends are good for flat bars, because flat bars are uncomfortable. Your wrist wants to be at an angle. Bar ends on riser bars looks dorky and should be avoided.

I use mine for a change of hand positioning.
If I'm riding flats, I like to stretch out a bit in my riding position, get lower and just spin and relax so to speak.

It also depends on the terrain I'm riding on. If I'm climbing a steep, severly rocky, rooty and bumpy single track Mountain Pass trail, I'm grabbing those bar ends cause if I don't, I'm falling backwards!

I dont know about anybody else, but bar ends physically get in the way oof my hands. Could be the bike, could be the ends, my suggestion is that if you cant justify having them on there in the first place, just take em' off.

MDspeed