Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

Handlebar width for hybrid bikes?

Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

Handlebar width for hybrid bikes?

Old 08-21-11, 09:10 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 68
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Handlebar width for hybrid bikes?

Though I'm guessing there's a lot of personal preference here, I thought I'd ask if there were any rules that should be followed before I started messing around with my new bars. My existing bars are 24" wide. My new ones are 32" wide MTN bike riser bars. I'm reasonably certain I'll be cutting them down (narrower) but how much I don't know. They're going on a Gary Fisher Montare I use for general town riding/commuting/exercise. Could possibly do a little bit of single track riding and the idea of touring intrigues me.

Guidelines? Thoughts?

Last edited by fishugly; 08-21-11 at 02:04 PM. Reason: correction on bar width
fishugly is offline  
Old 08-21-11, 04:39 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Retro Grouch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225

Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.

Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 642 Times in 363 Posts
1. BEFORE you cut the bars, slide on the shifters, brake levers, hand grips and anything else you plan to install on the handlebars. Slide all of that stuff as far toward the middle of the bar as you can. The bend on the riser bar will eventually stop you. That will show you the maximum that you can cut off of each end.

2. Asking the question tells me you have some doubts about how much to cut. My advice is to cut off 3/4" less than whatever you're thinking. You can always cut off a little more later but you can't add it back.
Retro Grouch is offline  
Old 08-21-11, 07:11 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Pearland, Texas
Posts: 7,579

Bikes: Cannondale, Trek, Raleigh, Santana

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 308 Post(s)
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
fishugly, Rule of thumb for handlebar width is that they're the same as your shoulder width. It's quite common for mountain bikes that see a lot of wooded single track to have their handle bars narrowed.

Brad
bradtx is offline  
Old 08-21-11, 07:52 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 68
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanks, guys! The open end of my Ergon grips allowed me to slide them around on the bar to play with different widths...with lots of bar sticking out from each grip. The best feel for me thus far is slightly wider than shoulder width. All the cables but the front brake are now too short though (I had to ride with no shifting & front brake only). I'll install new cables and fine tune from there. I'd like to add some bar ends later too so will leave about 3/4" more width on each side to accommodate those. Any flaws with this thinking?
fishugly is offline  
Old 08-21-11, 07:56 PM
  #5  
rebmeM roineS
 
JanMM's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,215

Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times in 225 Posts
Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
You can always cut off a little more later but you can't add it back.
+1
In the end, correct width is what works best for you.

I've found adjustable pipe cutters to work well for too-long aluminum bars.

Attached Images
File Type: jpg
T2231.jpg (12.9 KB, 29 views)
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
JanMM is offline  
Old 08-21-11, 08:01 PM
  #6  
rebmeM roineS
 
JanMM's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,215

Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times in 225 Posts
Originally Posted by fishugly
Thanks, guys! The open end of my Ergon grips allowed me to slide them around on the bar to play with different widths...with lots of bar sticking out from each grip. The best feel for me thus far is slightly wider than shoulder width. All the cables but the front brake are now too short though (I had to ride with no shifting & front brake only). I'll install new cables and fine tune from there. I'd like to add some bar ends later too so will leave about 3/4" more width on each side to accommodate those. Any flaws with this thinking?
Of course, you will need room for bar ends. With conventional grips, you can just trim them shorter-but not with Ergon or similar.
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
JanMM is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bikehoco
Hybrid Bicycles
5
07-11-19 08:04 AM
imobilinpedalus
Bicycle Mechanics
9
06-16-17 02:41 PM
sjfoote081
Hybrid Bicycles
28
05-20-17 03:28 PM
B2mac
Hybrid Bicycles
4
09-08-15 10:38 AM
Rubble
Fifty Plus (50+)
20
08-30-15 04:00 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.