Need some help with bars

thecremeegg

The bars on my bike are from my original Hardrock Sport 2004 and are looking pretty tatty now so I want to replace them. Problem is I have no idea about the differences between bars so I was hoping for some advice. As it stands my bars are "Alloy, 38mm rise, 9 degree sweep" and I would like some that are a little bit higher and wider.

Budget isnt so much a problem but around £50-60 would be ideal. So what should I be looking at?

Cheers

ilovedirt

How wide are your current bars? And higher? 38mm is already pretty high! Easton have some good offerings around that price point, as do ritchey, crank brothers, raceface etc

Also, what size clamp are your bars? 25.4mm or 31.8mm?

thecremeegg

Maybe I should get a stem with more of a rise then rather than the bars? I have no idea of the width I'm afraid, going to get the ruler out tomorrow. As for clamp size they're 25.4mm but if I need a new stem then that could obviously change. Is there much difference between bars at that price or is it purely down to size and rise etc?

ilovedirt

The weight differences at that price are mostly negligible, to be honest, the rise is personal preference, i like quite a low down front end, I find it makes the steering feel more direct and I prefer the low down position to sitting up straight.

Rise, sweep and width are very personal things though as i say, i like quite a wide bar, low rise with a little bit of a sweep, but not much. It may take some experimenting, so don't feel you have to spend the whole £50-£60 on one set of bars, maybe buy a couple and see how you go, or try some out on a bike in a shop or on some mates bikes?

As for the stem, most bars and stems these days have the 31.8mm clamp, if you stick to 25.4mm, you'll be seriously restricted with regards to choice, you might as well upgrade.

supersonic

I agree, is a lot of money for bars in context of the bike. Some good stuff about for less than half that ie Exotic, OnOne, FSA etc.