Cycle Fan Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 So in the market for a new bar - what is the difference (if any) between a flat bar and a low-rise bar? Is it just down to personal preference and riding style or is there a more pragmatic answer (handling, etc)? Thanks
Tumbleweed Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 Personal preference for me. Bike came with a flat bar. Changed it for a sweeped lo-rise bar. Switched to a 40mm riser at one stage, but that felt too sit-up-and-beg, so went back to the lo-rise.
G-Unit Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 In my (limited) experience of both, a flat bar helps you get you hands lower in corners. This improves handling (cornering ability) quite substantially. It also enables you to get lower on the bike during steep climbs where it is necessary to get right on the front of you saddle and really bend your back to keep the wheel down. A riser bar gives a more relaxed, comfortable (and slower) riding position. I went from a riser to a flat bar and like the flat bar more.
HowellingWulf Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 I have an Easton MonkeyLite 660mm wide low rise on my Niner. It feels a little narrow. Going to get one of these (in red) if I can find one. http://www.buycycle.co.za/buyparts/handlebars-mtb/raceface-en/raceface-turbine-riser-handlebar.html They had them on CRC last night but today they are missing....
Cycle Fan Posted October 8, 2012 Author Posted October 8, 2012 OK, thanks - so really down to personal preference then.
divernick Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 I have a 30mm riser, 680 wide on my 29er SS. Love that it feels like a motocross bike, can really chuck it into the corners. My bars are level with my seat.
DR ◣◢ Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 Flat and wide or low and twisty.760mm Nukeproof bars or my trusty 710mm Ragley Carnegie bars.
Hairy Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 700mm Wide Truvativ Stylo World Cup SS bars with a nice 10deg sweep on them. When mounted they are just a little below saddle height. They also have those funky World Cup colours on them and this naturally makes them faster, stronger and more comfortable than any bars without it on! http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=31130 Ryanpmb and DR ◣◢ 2
Ryanpmb Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 700mm Wide Truvativ Stylo World Cup SS bars with a nice 10deg sweep on them. When mounted they are just a little below saddle height. They also have those funky World Cup colours on them and this naturally makes them faster, stronger and more comfortable than any bars without it on! http://www.chainreac...x?ModelID=31130I have these too. Very comfy.
Ryanpmb Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 Frame geometry can also influence this. Your type of 'build' too (as in your height, arm length etc). And your riding style. I ran riser bars on my 26in bikes... with the increased height on the 29in bikes I run a flat bar with an inverted stem to keep me low on the bike. You may prefer a more upright riding position in which case a normal stem or riser bar may suit. Bikes with longer top tubes generally feel better with a shorter stem and a bar with a big back sweep. Your comfort preferences will determine if you need a riser or flat bar. The width of the bar will determine the control or how responsive the steering is. Narrow = twitchy (sharper). Wider = more control (perhaps smoother). Kinda comes down to your preference on the particular bike...
Cycle Fan Posted October 8, 2012 Author Posted October 8, 2012 Thanks. Have a Scott Spark Elite 29er. Just had to get a longer stem (100mm) to get more comfy on bike. Been riding with a flat bar and had one on my previous 26" as well.
Hairy Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 (edited) I have these too. Very comfy. Ryan .... Are you my long lost twin brother hiding out in Pietermaritzburg? Edited October 8, 2012 by Hairy
Flippa Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 For what its worth, I run a 690mm flat bar on my HT 29er, inverted stem and could probably drop a little lower. My rigid SS 29er has a Ragley Carnegie riser bar, also inverted stem, effective width is also around 690mm even though the total bar width is about 720mm.The rise lifts my hands higher than I normally ride, but its seems fine on the SS. Something to do with the increased leverage, I suppose. I used to use a 600mm flat bar on my 26er dual suss until I'd been riding the other, wider bars. I've now changed to a 690mm flat bar with 10 degree backsweep and its changed the feel of the bike. Only problem is on moderate climbs, the front wheel lofts too easily, so I will probably invert the stem at some point. All three of the bikes have the same effective top tube length, so my saddle is in same position above the BB and I have the same stem length on all the bikes. Handlebars are all slightly lower than the saddle.
Cycle Fan Posted October 8, 2012 Author Posted October 8, 2012 Thanks for the input. I currently have 680mm bars and they feel really wide. Maybe I just need to get use to them. Coming from a 600mm bar on the 26" - they're taking some getting use to.
Ryanpmb Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 Ryan .... Are you my long lost twin brother hiding out in Pietermaritzburg?Must be! Haha. I stumbled across this bar almost by accident, scooping it off the hub cheap cheap and has turned out to be my favourite!
Hairy Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 Must be! Haha. I stumbled across this bar almost by accident, scooping it off the hub cheap cheap and has turned out to be my favourite! SNAP ..... I also got mine via the Hub Cheap Cheap Ryanpmb 1
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