Trimming handlebar

[JCA12]

Hi there.

 

I am still quite new to mountain biking and would like some advice. I bought a new 2011 Specialized Rockhopper SL Pro from a bike shop, but got the fork changed from the Recon Silver to a 2012 SID XX.

 

 

I was wondering if the stock handlebars are not too wide for XC (might eventually do some races).

The bars are 720 mm, Butted alloy riserbar, 25mm rise, 8 degree back sweep, 6 degree up.

 

 

Should I trim them or change to narrower bars.

 

Thanks

[HappyMartin]

Looks odd with those bar ends I think. Ride it and see how it feels. I trimmed mine but by about 5mm a side.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Nah, 720 isn't too wide at all. I run 750 mm bars on my "xc" bike.

[Vetseun]

In short no. A wide bar = wide arms. Wide arms = open lungs and easy breathing. Also steers easier.

Just one small matter and please remember it is your bike, you need to perform on it...... but riser bar and bar ends is a no no. Rather fit a flat bar.

But... it is your bike, whatever blows your hair back.

If you need to trim the bar, only take 5mm per side at a time, then ride the bike , dont just sit on it.

Good luck and enjoy your rides.

[ChUkKy]

I would trim those horns a bit to start, they look funny like that.

[DR ◣◢]

Do you find your hand creeping towards the stem when you ride?

 

If you are short and have narrow shoulders then a narrower bar would suit you better.

 

I ran 760mm on the 29er and 710mm on the trail bike. Im 5'11" and of average build. Both suit me just perfect. Even in tight singletrack.

[Mackie]

IMO, the bar ends should run at the same angle as your stem.

[Doggone]

I have taken 15mm off each end of my anthem 29 er's bar. Feels much better now.

[JCA12]

Thanks a lot for the input. the set up feels comfortable to me. Just wanted to know if there was a recommended approach to handlebar width. Will see how it goes for now and may adjust later

[FLYIT]

the wider the better.have a look at Burry Standers bars in relation to his size,that should give a good indication.

[nickelass]

sometime I read somewhere,but seems to make sense,think of your distance of your hands ,( and arms) when doing a pushup,as thats most likey where you have your max power,try to have the length of your bars to match that.

[Grebel]

Before you cut anything, move your controls grips and bar ends to the position that you think would be suitable. Ride like that for a while to see if you are comfortable. Only once you are happy that they are at the correct width should you consider cutting your bars. Remember that once you take off, you can't put back. Oh, and I agree with Mackie. Bar ends (if you MUST run them on your riser bars) should be parallel to your stem.

[Sarge]

Hi JCA12,

I rode for a year or so before I found out that the gear indicators can be taken off. When I did this and moved the changers to the outside and the brakes to the inside everything felt a lot more comfortable - apart from looking so much cleaner.

Try it, you might also like it,

Regards

Sarge

[Big H*]

  On 9/9/2012 at 3:37 PM, THE BLOODY AGENT said:

In short no. A wide bar = wide arms. Wide arms = open lungs and easy breathing. Also steers easier.

Just one small matter and please remember it is your bike, you need to perform on it...... but riser bar and bar ends is a no no. Rather fit a flat bar.

But... it is your bike, whatever blows your hair back.

If you need to trim the bar, only take 5mm per side at a time, then ride the bike , dont just sit on it.

Good luck and enjoy your rides.

 

Riser bar and bar ends a no no or an over rated fashion statement????????

[Lamber]

Ask this guy about handlebar trimming...

[Red Zone]

With riser bars you have to be careful, as you trim you can find your brake & gear controls in funny places because of the curve of the bar and you can also end up running out of functional space to put lights, computers and other stuff on. Better to go for a flat bar, that way you also dont look like a muppet with bar ends on a riser bar