Upsweep and Backsweep
#1
Thread Starter
ride the sky.
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 296
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From: Milford,Connecticut
Bikes: mine
Upsweep and Backsweep
Alright I have no clue what upsweep and backsweep are on bars. Isn't Backsweep how far the bars bend back and upsweep how far the actual bars go up? because all bars feel pretty much the same to me even though they have different backsweeps.
#2
Dig.
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,168
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From: VA
Bikes: FTW, Gunnar Roadie, Open U.P, Gunnar Rock Hound, S&M CCR
Backsweep is the angle that they bend back towards you, and upsweep is the angle that they bend up, im not sure why upsweep makes bars better, but apparently people like them...
Backsweep i think makes your wrists more comfortable...
Backsweep i think makes your wrists more comfortable...
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 396
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, GA
Both make bars more comfortable. Hold your clenched fists in front of you, palms down, elbows bent. Now relax your hands and wrists. See how your wrists naturally turn? That's backsweep. Now spread your hands apart, still relaxed, to bar width with your elbows straight. See the arc your hands made? That's what upsweep does for you.
Backsweep makes bars more comfortable sitting or low on your bike. Upsweep does the same thing while standing and cranking.
-Paul
Backsweep makes bars more comfortable sitting or low on your bike. Upsweep does the same thing while standing and cranking.
-Paul
#4
Electrical Hazard
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 974
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From: Manhattan / Vancouver
Bikes: a bunch.
I went from 5° to 12° of backsweep on my bike.
..and now, there is NO way I can comfortably ride a bmx with only 5° of backsweep, it just feels wrong, and hurts when hopping.
..and now, there is NO way I can comfortably ride a bmx with only 5° of backsweep, it just feels wrong, and hurts when hopping.
#5
Live To Ride Ride To Live
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,639
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From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Bikes: Fit flow
I think it's alot of personal preference though. The bars on my bike have like almost no upsweep / backsweep. One of my friends has bars with 12 degreees backsweep. I prefer the feel of mine, I can ride his and it dosent bug me all that much, but if I were to buy new bars I would try to keep them more straight like the ones I've got.
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BMX For Life
#6
No upsweep, no downs sweep, as long as you know how to brace your wrists with your arms you dont have to worry about your wrists hurting. Or you could just ride no handed every where, which is quite helpful when you want to go through the drive through at mcdonalds, or flicking off eny persuing police.
#7
Dig.
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,168
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From: VA
Bikes: FTW, Gunnar Roadie, Open U.P, Gunnar Rock Hound, S&M CCR
Originally Posted by Mikato Soul
No upsweep, no downs sweep, as long as you know how to brace your wrists with your arms you dont have to worry about your wrists hurting. Or you could just ride no handed every where, which is quite helpful when you want to go through the drive through at mcdonalds, or flicking off eny persuing police.





