JonathanGennick 

Cut them to where you like them. Today's trend is toward wide bars, and riders are all over the map on what they prefer. I just cut a set of Race Face Atlas bars down to 680. Yet I've a younger and shorter friend who runs 800 mm bars and likes them. I can't stand to ride his bike with those bars, but he loves them. So go figure.

Are you having a fit done? The fitter will probably dial in your bar width at the same time as everything else.

prj71

^^^This.

At 5'8" My preference is 720mm. For comfort and to fit between a few tight trees on my local single track trails.

hig4s

The wider the bar, the more leverage you have, which is better for higher speeds and downhill. But it sacrifices quick steering in slow tight places, you have to move the bar farther for the same amount of turn. Mostly a personal preference thing.

To find your most efficient width (which may not be the same as what you like the best), do a bunch of push ups. As you get tired you will naturally move your hands to the width that is the most comfortable and has the best leverage for you. Measure to the outside of your hands, add about 10mm and that is a good starting point for regular trail riding.

Canker

Leave the bars alone till you ride it awhile first. Everytime I've gone wider it has felt funky and awkward at first but I get used it it and then I get to like it after a few rides. 710mm is actually fairly narrow by current standards. I haven't seen stats but I guess most bikes these days are shipping with 750mm bars well at least trail/enduro bikes XC still might be in the 700mm range.

ValerieJ

^^^^ It will definitely be fitted by someone who knows their stuff. I expect that his guidance and more experience on the bike will help everything come together.



^^^^That is a good idea. I will change things after I put some miles on her. The seat might also be changed to a women's gel or something. . . A dropper post would also be nice at some point as well . . . but that will add more weight to the bike which I'm really trying to keep around 25 lbs. Pedals can add a lot of weight too so I think I will start with an Xpedo Spry which has 260 gr and seems like a nice Entry level platform. I get so excited about this bike that I get ahead of myself. I keep forgetting that this bike was fairly expensive so STOP SPENDING, Valerie!!!

I so appreciate all your help, interest and enthusiasm for this sport. . . I can see how addicting this can get.

QUESTION:
Which is a LIGHT WEIGHT and VALUE FRIENDLY Dropper post . . . do you think ?

ValerieJ

CANKER: Thanks so much for suggesting the Orbea Oiz !!! This bike has everything I want . . . Ummm except color ! : ( but that is superficial . . . and at least it's not Matte Black. ; )


I'm going to go do push ups right now . . . I think I can only do one though ! Does that count ??? ; )

Canker

No problem, glad you like it. Black is boring. Just bought a new bike myself and wanted anything but black ended up with matte black. Now I have 4 bikes and 3 are black and the one that isn't is half white and half black and the bike I sold after buying a new bike was BLACK.

ValerieJ

CANKER: LOL !!! So you have a herd of Black Stallions !!!

I won't feel sorry for myself with just one black bike. The Logos and accenting are a VERY beautiful green . . . so I'm going to call mine 3/4 black. The fuss about color is only because I'm a girl ! ; )

It seems to me that many of the SALE bikes or really good VALUE bikes are always BLACK - Darn it !!! Mine was literally half the price of the same BRAND NEW 2017 SALE Bike at Jenson . . . so I felt lucky to have it. It's in great condition and looks like new. Beggars can't be choosers !!!

2cam16

You still haven't posted pics,Valerie.

ValerieJ

I'll post pics when I get my pretty green grips and pedals in the mail. : )

gsa103

I'm assuming that the frame is compatible with internal routing?

PNW components has a good looking selection at reasonable prices. The KS eTen is a perfectly function, but a bit slow, super cheap though.

ValerieJ

Here is the pic of my bike again - taken by "The Pros Closet" on Ebay. If you look closely you can see the little scuff mark on the fork. I will take personal pics when I get it on the trail. Pedals should be here tomorrow. Yeah !!!

GSA103: - Yes There is internal routing . . . . AND I have to figure out which dropper post will be compatible with this bike.

ValerieJ

Well . . . . I finally rode my new used bike and it's like riding on a cloud of air !!! Love it !!!
Did some fire roads this evening and that was enough for me today ! Lol !!! I was lucky to get on trail at all because actually just riding TO the trail was enough for me ! ; ) LOL !!!

My bike checking out the view in Beautiful Pacific Palisades !

ValerieJ

Testing pics . . .

Only the Cat photo is uploading for some reason ! . . . darn it !

ValerieJ

Testing . . . Oh . . The files sizes are too big. I'll fix them.

ValerieJ

Will Roger's Pacific Palisades . . . Ahhh ! Glorious California !!!

2cam16

Nice bike and great scenery, Valerie!

Rocket Mouse

Agreed... very nice.
And it just shows how well it can pay off by doing your homework to make sure you get the right bike for you.

rasheed

Congrats on the purchase. Glad you're loving the bike. Very few things beat getting a new bike and taking it out for its maiden ride.

ValerieJ

Thank you all for your help and your support !!! You Rock !!!!
Night-Night !