Mountain Biking - handelbars

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fun
08-10-04, 10:32 PM
should i raise my handle bars for more speed / control on the road , i ride a mtb.


DaMaN
08-11-04, 04:24 AM
If i was you, i'd try that and see if it's any better for you, and if it's still comfitable. if not then change it back again. Trail and error really.
Good Luck. ;)

Reggie
08-11-04, 05:33 AM
riserbar or flat, depends on you.. its really more of a trendy thing however i have heard ppl saying riserbar is easier to lift their bike up but to me no real diff


fun
08-11-04, 08:37 PM
thank you guys for the advice.

fhod36
08-11-04, 09:10 PM
not t be an ass but "i ride a mtb." r-really, is that why you're in the mountain biking forum :)

Maelstrom
08-11-04, 10:09 PM
riserbar or flat, depends on you.. its really more of a trendy thing however i have heard ppl saying riserbar is easier to lift their bike up but to me no real diff

Yeah riser bars are trendy...thats it..haha...

forum*rider
08-11-04, 10:31 PM
I think riser bars are supposed to give you more leverage for climbing hills, accelerating etc.

Just something I heard though.

Maelstrom
08-11-04, 11:16 PM
Risers do quite a bit. I just love when people don't think something makes sense they justify it by calling it trendy :)

catatonic
08-12-04, 12:39 AM
Really, I don't see how raising the bar will help road speed. I tend to ride faster on my talus with its far lower handlebars than my outlook which has a near upright position to it.

Now raising the seat to a proper road height will make loads of difference. I usually drop my seat by an inch to two inches when off-roading for comfort purposes, but raise it right back when I get on the road. If I can point my heel significantly downward when it's at the 6-o-clock position, i'm not high enough yet. At the height I'm in though, it's very easy to clip in and unclip while in the saddle, and I found it's actually easier to accelerate in that position as well.

willtsmith_nwi
08-12-04, 02:42 PM
Faster, more experienced riders tend to ride in a more forward position than upright. The reason is it gives you more leverage on the pedals. It also makes you more aero-dynamic.

If your wrists are hurting, it might be appropriate to raise your handlebars/riser. If you find yourself bending your arms excessively, than a lower bar would be more appropriate.

DaMaN
08-12-04, 03:02 PM
not t be an ass but "i ride a mtb." r-really, is that why you're in the mountain biking forum :)

Well you are being an ass, sorry but comments like these should stay in your head.


Thanks.

BlackDiamond
08-12-04, 03:15 PM
The answer is simple really. If you ride an XC bike usually flat bars work best for climbing. If you ride downhill or aggressively you'll want riser bars as they put in a better attack position for the nasty stuff.

fhod36
08-12-04, 04:12 PM
hey man relax, i was just joking around, and why do you care anyway, even fun didnt say anything about the comment

khuon
08-12-04, 04:43 PM
Risers do quite a bit. I just love when people don't think something makes sense they justify it by calling it trendy :)

To be honest, I do think riserbars are the result of a trend. However, right now, they really have become the only decent option for those wanting more sweep and upright handlebar positions. The end-goal is to position the portions of the handlebar that the rider will need a certain relative spacial relationship to the rest of the bike. Whether this is done with a flatbar and high-rise stem, flatbar with lots of steerer (although going too long on the steerer is not good for the frame or the steerer), stepped up handlebar (riser bar) or some other method is unimportant. Were it not for the look of the riserbar being trendy, flatbars and high-rise stems which would work equally as well, would still exist. As it is, one would be hard-pressed to find a wide flat bar with more than three degrees of sweep.

catatonic
08-12-04, 06:12 PM
I like risers better than flats, even for XC duty. You can get away with a lower angle stem, and still have a reasonable position. Also your accessories are more lined up with the bars, and not hanging over...I know that's an aesthetic thing, but I like the look a good riser setup gives.