Riser/wider bars v flatter/narrower ?

weeksy59
weeksy59 Posts: 2,606
edited December 2011 in MTB workshop & tech
So, was thinking about this Giant 29er i have here and wondering if the bars i fitted for comfort were playing a factor in the turning and what sort of a factor/effect.. ?

Funn Handlebars Riser Fatboy B Handlebar 15mm 710mm Horror White 31.8mm

Were the bars i bought. Although 15mm seems lower to me than i thought i got...

The standard Giant bars are 0mm rise and i think about 680mm.

So, apart from the comfort factor, what other things will be influenced and in what way by the wide risers ?

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    weight distribution so therefor handling.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • weeksy59
    weeksy59 Posts: 2,606
    nicklouse wrote:
    weight distribution so therefor handling.

    Yes, but in what way ?
  • I've already told you that elsewhere, don't you believe me?! ;)
    Trail fun - Transition Bandit
    Road - Wilier Izoard Centaur/Cube Agree C62 Disc
    Allround - Cotic Solaris
  • weeksy59
    weeksy59 Posts: 2,606
    I've already told you that elsewhere, don't you believe me?! ;)

    Sorry to sound harsh,... but your answer there was a bit cryptic :oops:
  • weeksy59 wrote:
    I've already told you that elsewhere, don't you believe me?! ;)

    Sorry to sound harsh,... but your answer there was a bit cryptic :oops:

    Or you're a bit thick?! ;)
    Trail fun - Transition Bandit
    Road - Wilier Izoard Centaur/Cube Agree C62 Disc
    Allround - Cotic Solaris
  • weeksy59
    weeksy59 Posts: 2,606
    weeksy59 wrote:
    I've already told you that elsewhere, don't you believe me?! ;)

    Sorry to sound harsh,... but your answer there was a bit cryptic :oops:

    Or you're a bit thick?! ;)

    That's a possibility that's for sure. :)
  • DCR00
    DCR00 Posts: 2,160
    weeksy59 wrote:
    nicklouse wrote:
    weight distribution so therefor handling.

    Yes, but in what way ?

    i would argue that the weight distrubution change would be minimal from fitting wider bars

    wider bars take "longer" to turn, and so tend to slow down the steering and increase stability, you also have more leverage over them so control is increased

    however, they would have to be very wide indeed to shift your weight forward so as to make the handling change. Similarly, the rise on the handlebar doesnt move you back enough to redistribute your weight.

    narrower bars do the opposite and so steering is very quick and sometimes unstable

    shorter/longer stem moves you back/forward and so shifts your weight accordingly, which will effect the handling of the front end

    shorter stems will quicken the steering, but as you fit wider bars, this compensates

    there are calculators online that you can use to work out what effect your bar/stem combo is having on reach and weight distribution