Handlebar width? I only want to cut once.
03-10-22, 11:45 AM
#1
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Handlebar width? I only want to cut once.
New bike came with 800mm bars. They’re comically large for me. I know I’m chopping them but I am having a hard time with frame of reference.
I’m 5’8.5”
42mm road bar is perfect for me on a road bike.
My old cross country mountain bike has 680mm bars but an 80mm stem. It’s a perfect fit. I’m a little lost about this new bike because the geometry is dramatically different and it’s got a 35mm stem.
My gut is telling me to go to 720. But the conservative side of me is saying go to 760 and continue to chop a little bit until I’m happy, but that’s a pain in the butt.
For comparison, mid 2010’s Trek Xcaliber 9 17.5” vs brand new Canfield Yelli Screamy in Medium (yeah, I’m psyched).
Where would you start?
I’m 5’8.5”
42mm road bar is perfect for me on a road bike.
My old cross country mountain bike has 680mm bars but an 80mm stem. It’s a perfect fit. I’m a little lost about this new bike because the geometry is dramatically different and it’s got a 35mm stem.
My gut is telling me to go to 720. But the conservative side of me is saying go to 760 and continue to chop a little bit until I’m happy, but that’s a pain in the butt.
For comparison, mid 2010’s Trek Xcaliber 9 17.5” vs brand new Canfield Yelli Screamy in Medium (yeah, I’m psyched).
Where would you start?
03-10-22, 11:57 AM
#2
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Despite the hassle, I would chop a little at a time and get some riding in between the chops. If the first cut feels good, I'd stay with it. But you do you. Good luck and enjoy!
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03-10-22, 12:26 PM
#3
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Nice bike! I am in the same boat. Except we still have 4 feet of snow where I am and haven't really ridden my new bike yet, a 2022 team marin 2. The bars seem comically wide(and are only 780) to me since my previous bike is an 08 rockhopper I had trimmed down from stock width. I am planning to ride it for a while first and see how I get used to it before making any decision to cut. But if I do, I think I will only take off small amounts at a time to find the middle ground. I may just end up liking the new full width given time, and start to notice the benefits.
Last edited by nodnerb; 03-10-22 at 01:05 PM.
03-10-22, 01:29 PM
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I'm the same height as you. All of my bars are 740 or 720.
Pull the girps off and slide the brakes over and put your hands on the bar where it feels comfortable. Mark where your hands are and go from there.
My latest bike came with bars at 800...they ended up at 740.
Pull the girps off and slide the brakes over and put your hands on the bar where it feels comfortable. Mark where your hands are and go from there.
My latest bike came with bars at 800...they ended up at 740.
03-10-22, 07:03 PM
#6
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New bike came with 800mm bars. They’re comically large for me. I know I’m chopping them but I am having a hard time with frame of reference.
I’m 5’8.5”
42mm road bar is perfect for me on a road bike.
My old cross country mountain bike has 680mm bars but an 80mm stem. It’s a perfect fit. I’m a little lost about this new bike because the geometry is dramatically different and it’s got a 35mm stem.
My gut is telling me to go to 720. But the conservative side of me is saying go to 760 and continue to chop a little bit until I’m happy, but that’s a pain in the butt.
For comparison, mid 2010’s Trek Xcaliber 9 17.5” vs brand new Canfield Yelli Screamy in Medium (yeah, I’m psyched).
Where would you start?
I’m 5’8.5”
42mm road bar is perfect for me on a road bike.
My old cross country mountain bike has 680mm bars but an 80mm stem. It’s a perfect fit. I’m a little lost about this new bike because the geometry is dramatically different and it’s got a 35mm stem.
My gut is telling me to go to 720. But the conservative side of me is saying go to 760 and continue to chop a little bit until I’m happy, but that’s a pain in the butt.
For comparison, mid 2010’s Trek Xcaliber 9 17.5” vs brand new Canfield Yelli Screamy in Medium (yeah, I’m psyched).
Where would you start?
I tried 780 which came on my newer FS (marin) and was way too wid - very uncomfortable in shoulders and neck, whatever bend I could get in the elbows didn't help.
Hr+ ride was exhausting.
I have grips with both sides open w/locking collar, so I just slid them in (adjusting the controls...) incrementally, until I found a good balance between easy control and comfortable, relaxed grip.
720 mm works for me on 9 deg back sweep, 3 deg rise (25mm center rise).
Think I wanna try a 15 to 20 deg back sweep bar... - let me bring the elbows in a bit more and more relaxed shoulders - way stronger arm position.
Ride On
Yuri
03-10-22, 07:36 PM
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Just move in the shifter and levers, try different positions till you find a width that works, then cut. As well, basic aluminum h-bars are pretty cheap, if you want to go back, easy to do,
03-10-22, 08:33 PM
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5'10" here. 44cm drops on the gravel bike.
Started out riding 560mm bars on mtbs back in the 90s. Then went to 585, then 620, then 660, then 685, then, then 720, then then 750, then 775, then 800. Finally, at 800 it was just too wide and I went back to 775.
I run 750 on the fat bike that is a bit more xc oriented.
Whatever you try, give it a few rides.
Started out riding 560mm bars on mtbs back in the 90s. Then went to 585, then 620, then 660, then 685, then, then 720, then then 750, then 775, then 800. Finally, at 800 it was just too wide and I went back to 775.
I run 750 on the fat bike that is a bit more xc oriented.
Whatever you try, give it a few rides.
03-17-22, 09:23 AM
#9
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Start with 1/4" on each side. That is about one of the hash marks on most bars. The only way to do it right is to do a little at a time. Handlebars and handlebar position are one of those adjustments that is extremely personal.
03-17-22, 10:33 AM
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Don't overestimate how much to cut. My wife (5'5", pretty long limbs) went from bars about the width of her shoulders (maybe 680 mm; never measured and bike was stolen) to 740 mm and loves them. Also, from 26" to 29" wheels which she adapted to almost immediately (and unexpectedly).
03-19-22, 12:05 AM
#11
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I came from 720 w/a 70mm stem on a 2005 era bike and went to 750 w/a 50mm stem on my 2015 fully which morphed into a hrdtl w/a 35mm stem going to take a nickel off each end but don't think I'll go any narrower.
