Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > BMX
Reload this Page >

Upsweep and Backsweep

Search
Notices
BMX Dirt, vert, flatland or street? Drop in the BMX forum to talk to other 20" riders around the world. What is the best BMX bicycle for you? Learn all about it here.

Upsweep and Backsweep

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-22-06 | 08:33 AM
  #1  
Chris Gabriel's Avatar
Thread Starter
ride the sky.
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
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.
Chris Gabriel is offline  
Reply
Old 06-22-06 | 08:40 AM
  #2  
KinetikBiker's Avatar
Dig.
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,168
Likes: 0
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...
KinetikBiker is offline  
Reply
Old 06-22-06 | 08:59 AM
  #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
ettsn is offline  
Reply
Old 06-22-06 | 10:13 AM
  #4  
Electrical Hazard
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 974
Likes: 0
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.
lyledriver is offline  
Reply
Old 06-22-06 | 11:56 AM
  #5  
FuzzyRyder's Avatar
Live To Ride Ride To Live
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,639
Likes: 0
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.
__________________
BMX For Life
FuzzyRyder is offline  
Reply
Old 06-23-06 | 12:26 AM
  #6  
Mikato Soul's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
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.
Mikato Soul is offline  
Reply
Old 06-23-06 | 12:04 PM
  #7  
KinetikBiker's Avatar
Dig.
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,168
Likes: 0
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.
If you ride Flat, then your bars probly dont have much backsweep. Becuase you would want them to feel the same forwards and backwards for all those weird tricks that i dont know the names of where you bars are backwards.
KinetikBiker is offline  
Reply
Old 06-26-06 | 04:58 PM
  #8  
Mikato Soul's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
I have 8pc Geraldo bars, 0 Sweep, back or up.
Mikato Soul is offline  
Reply

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



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

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.