Handlebar questions

pittpony

Hi all. I have a 2007 Giant XTC Composite 3 - a race XC bike that has quite narrow, flat bars that i find it quite twitchy on the trails and hard to get round those tight, twisty sections with much control. So I have a few 'handlebar' questions I can't find an answer to...

If i change to a riser bar, how will it affect the steering? If i understand correctly it will give me a more upright position but i'm not sure how / if it would affect the handling significantly

Would a wider handlebar offer more control?

If i do change to a wider riser bar I'm not sure what dimensions to go with. Do i find a diameter to fit my current stem or look at a new stem as well? What about the other dimensions?

Is there something else i'm overlooking that will help make the steering more positive?

Am i going to completely screw up the geometry / riding position if i start messing around with all this?? :shock:

Thanks guys

tmg

A riser will make you sit more upright, won't affect things to much

Its the length of the stem that affects the steering the most, if you feel you need more control get a shorter stem

The Big Cheese

As above it's the stem.

There are numererous different combos using low/mid/high rise bars with varying length of stem.

thrown into the mix is riding type, rise of stem.

It can all be a bit of a mindfield and of course we can't go out and realistically buy every stem/bar on the market until we find what we like.

But you can always start by establishing what you DONT like. In your case its a narrow flat bar and by the sounds of it you would have quite a short stem also (you need to find out what it is)

For example.

On my XC race bike - I have a 100mm stem with a medium rise bar which is lovely for the sort of riding I do on that - but I don't like it when things get too heavy.

On my trail bike I have a mid rise bar with a 90mm stem but I have a much wider bar which gives me more confidence when dealing with heavier maneuverer's.

On my FR rig I purchased a 45mm stem with a high rise bar becuase my forks are 180mm travel...

So as you can see it's all down to the type of riding/preference.

I find a good all round combo is a 90mm stem with a medium rise bar (of a decent width)

Hope this helps somewhat...

BigStu2

I've just fitted a 5 cm wider 1" Easton EC70 riser bar to my ride, the difference is very noticeable, much more control on snowy downhills, you can really mucle your way through, However if you go to wide you may find yourself reaching over the top tube to much as I have discovered which makes the frame feel a size too large, If your coming from flat bars however your hands will be positioned slighter more rearward due to the inbuilt rake. Dont cut them down at first go out and have some fun with them.
Bigstu2

The Big Cheese

BigStu2 wrote:

I've just fitted a 5 cm wider 1" Easton EC70 riser bar to my ride

These are what I have on my trail bike - excellent bars.... and as above if you find out they are too wide, cut them down - sorted

pittpony

Thanks guys. Looks like i need to have a look at my stem as well then. As for riser bars rather than flats - is it due to cosmetics or a preferable riding position that these seem popular at the moment?

I ride a lot of woodland trails - nothing particularly technical but pretty tight and twisty in places

Hmm, I might pinch my gf's stem and bars to see what difference it makes before i splash out...

The Big Cheese

I don't think it's cosmetic - more of a case for 'horses for courses' and trail/heavier all mountain riding is increasingly popular with more people wanting something a little more interesting and fun and to improve their enjoyment of cycling.

Judging by the looks of you stem on your bike - it looks quite long - 110mm or thereabouts but it's hard to tell. If it is that long a shorter stem with a riser should change your ride substantially..... but it's a performance hard tail so thats why it has a flat bar (most racers prefer them - but not all )

Doesn't say on the Giant site but looks at least 100mm.

Smica do some relatively cheap finishing kit which is very good quality and won't break the bank......

tmg

Consider getting yourself to one of the demo days that are being advertised on the front page of this site, get to ride various types of bikes and also get access to some technical expertise from the guys supporting the manufacturers who will be able to give you some help on what stem / bar combination suits your riding style

impished

I was gonna mention it last night Pittpony, when we were out getting smothered in mud (and sheeps poop, i think :? )
You looked a bit stretched out on your bike. I agree, a shorter stem and maybe pulling the saddle forward a touch, depending on your foot/pedal position, obviously.

The combination of the 2 should make you feel more like your sitting IN the bike, rather than ON it (maybe that's just me :roll: ) and tighten the steering a bit for the twisty bits. :twisted:

pittpony

impished wrote:

I was gonna mention it last night Pittpony, when we were out getting smothered in mud (and sheeps poop, i think :? )

Yeah whatever it was we rode through didn't smell great did it?

impished wrote:

You looked a bit stretched out on your bike. I agree, a shorter stem and maybe pulling the saddle forward a touch, depending on your foot/pedal position, obviously.

Interesting you noticed that Impished. I think i might start experimenting... I've measured the stem and its 110mm. My gf's bike has a 100mm stem and riser bar so I'll switch them over and see how it feels

pittpony

Hi all,

Well the new handlebar setup worked nicely so I've narrowed down my options to a couple of nice sets of carbon bars The problem now is finding a good 90mm stem to go with them. I've seen some from FSA - £25, 160g (ish) but was wondering if i can get anything much lighter for similar money? I can go for 25 or 31mm sizes as my handlebar shortlist has both on it!