A handle bar question - please handle with care :)

[pengyou]

I think the main reason why I like my beach bike is because the handlebars are broader and higher and let me sit upright. Can I install this kind of handlebar on a hybrid or mountain bike? I remember reading once that there is a relationship between the design of handlebar put on a bike and the geo of the frame.

[bh357]

Make sure the bar diameter matches with your stem. Depending on the particular bar (and without any stem changes), you will raise and most likely move your grip center rearwards. Both changes would likely alter the handling of your bike.
What is the bar on your beach bike like? I have an On-One Mary bar on my mountain bike, and really like it. It has a 1 1/2" rise, and about a 40 degree sweep. The rise wasn't needed for me (flipped stem and moved spacers to compensate), but the sweep got rid of my hand numbness.
http://www.on-one.co.uk/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=6&MMN_position=5:5

[Peterpan1]

Yeah there is a connection. The further forward your posture goes the further back your feet go, imagine lying on your stomach like supperman for the extreme forward position, and the reverse is like on a Luge. If you think of the triatalon forward bike position the seat post is more upright and the cranks more tucked under. If you think of the cruiser the seat post is more laid back. None of this dictates the exact bar you can have, but a mountain bike is more upright and short wheel based to give it good handling on single track, so the position is not identical to a cruisers, which is why we have cruisers and MTBs.