Mountain Biking - handlebars

what are some difference is performance/comfort in flat vs. riser bars? also, what about the different sweep angles? is either more suitable for xc?

It's all really what your prefer. I'm not a big xc rider but I notice that most of those guys have rise handlebars. For DJ/Freeride stuff the rise handlebars are easier to spin around (bar spins and the like). XC, you obviously aren't doing bar spins so handle bars are up to you. Try a bunch of differen't kinds, different sweep angles, amount of rise. Check out the carbon bars and see what you think. They're very very light. Some people like them, others don't. Bring your bike to the shop or something and have them throw a handlebar on there and ride around with it to see how it feels.

I have a pair of Easton EC-90 CF handlebars.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/large_photo.cfm?SKU=14731&Store=Bike

I find them to work very well if you don't wreck too much. Very light and strong. For XC(which is what I ride) Ilike the flat handlebars, they put you in more of a "tuck" position than the riser bars and I find that more comfortable.

i want a bar thats going to be able to take a minor crash or too, i don't want it to explode as soon as i knock something.. will the carbon bars be able to hold up to normal abuse?

The Easton ones will, not to sure about the others. The brand (can't remember name) that has the ISOgrid technoly, Maxim (I think) they're supposed to be comparable to the Eastons.

L8R

so.. are flat bars better for xc since they put you in a more "racing" position? ive tried them both just sitting on a bike, but not out riding. they both feel comfortable, but i dont know if that will change when im riding. i dont think ill be abel to "test" different ones on the trail, so any input would be helpful. im almost leaning toward the flat bar because they tend to run cheaper (and lighter)

so.. are flat bars better for xc since they put you in a more "racing" position? ive tried them both just sitting on a bike, but not out riding. they both feel comfortable, but i dont know if that will change when im riding. i dont think ill be abel to "test" different ones on the trail, so any input would be helpful. im almost leaning toward the flat bar because they tend to run cheaper (and lighter)


Riser bar is the way to go.....a flat bar wont offer you anything. They only bend you over more....not really a racing position just a back killing position. You can always lean forward.

I respectfully disagree! A flat bar and a forward stem will put you in a more forward position that will help you if you are into racing. This forward position will help you KILL hill climbs. A riser bar will put you in a more upright position. While this is good for jumping and trail riding, for racing you WANT to be forward and down!

L8R

I respectfully disagree! A flat bar and a forward stem will put you in a more forward position that will help you if you are into racing. This forward position will help you KILL hill climbs. A riser bar will put you in a more upright position. While this is good for jumping and trail riding, for racing you WANT to be forward and down!

L8R

kill hill climbs eh? mmmm

Ummmm, yea. I'm gunna have to disagree. For racing....the first thing you want to be is comfortable. You could be down and forward so your chin is parallel to your balls, which would be GREAT for aerodynamics, but are you comfortable? Probably not. Trying to figure out the goods and bads for both is just bringing up a bunch of blanks right now, so ahhh.....just get a riser.....a riser dosent have to be some radical bar that pushes you way up in the air.....some rises are very small.

The bar makes no difference. You could put your hands in the same position as they are on a riser bar with a flat bar and a different stem.

Riser bars tend to have more sweep than flat bars which most people prefere and also because they are more popular there is a lot more choice.

Theoretically a flat bar should be stronger and lighter than riser bars as they don't have the bends.

I feel like I can get more power out of my stroke in the forward leaning position a flatter bar gives me. I think it's mostly me levering my body weight more, plus it forces my center of gravity a little further forward on the climbs. On long rides, though, it puts too much weight on my hands and they get sore. I think my bar rises an 1.5 inch with a 5 degree sweep, which works pretty well for me. It was originally too high for my liking, but I have since swapped the 15 degree stem for a 7 and removed a steer tube spacer.