new handlebar advice

trail jacker

hi guys,
i want to upgrade my stock GT handlebar to bars with a 31.8mm diameter, i have bought a new stem, but am wondering what width bars to get. the ones on my bike are around 600mm i reckon (my bike is at home and im at uni at the moment so cant confirm this). i have seen these;

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=4033

...and at 12 quid want to snap them up, but is the width more freeride territiory? would it be ok for all mountain riding and xc? and any other suggestions?

thanks!

supersonic

Anything actually wrong with what you had?

trail jacker

nope just fancy a bit of an upgrade to be honest. ive heard wider bars are better at high speed so wouldnt mind a bit more stability.

peter413

They are more stable and don't be worried about getting into FR teritory.

I run 745mm DH race bars on my 4 inch full susser


BTW, you realise those bars are only 660 as well

Pudseyp

Easton Monkey Bars at £35 and 685 wide

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=28851

supersonic

660 is about average.

Wider is not always better as it can vastly alter the angle of your elbows and splay your arms out, not good on the narrower shouldered amongst us.

If you are getting on well with what you have, keep them.

xtreem

The ones that you suggested are discontinued.
But if you're after some budget ones try these:
Truvativ Hussefelt

Imo, there is nothing wrong with wider bars on a XC bike.
I have 700mm wide bars on my bike, and find them to be awesome.
Although wider bars does make problems riding through thick traffic,
and my hands often find them selfs on the brake levers then on the grips on the uphills.

But that's nothing considering that most of the time I enjoy riding with them.