Backsweep on bars

[SeaBee]

Okay, I've done some searching (both here and trying to see whether somebody outside the hub has any wisdom) and cannot find a clear answer.

 

In short - what's the deal with backsweep bars? What is their effect? (Other than hurting my hands?)

 

Why is 8degree backsweep flavour of the month for 29er bars (a friend of mine on entirely different manufacturer's bike also came out with 8 deg backsweeped bars) and what effect will changing it to a straight flat bar have. Mine is flat, just with this backsweep.

[4barlinkage]

Okay, I've done some searching (both here and trying to see whether somebody outside the hub has any wisdom) and cannot find a clear answer.

 

In short - what's the deal with backsweep bars? What is their effect? (Other than hurting my hands?)

 

Why is 8degree backsweep flavour of the month for 29er bars (a friend of mine on entirely different manufacturer's bike also came out with 8 deg backsweeped bars) and what effect will changing it to a straight flat bar have. Mine is flat, just with this backsweep.

 

Backsweep puts the bar in a more natural position in your hands. If you hold your hands in front of you and look at your palms, the bar should rest in the nook of your thumb/index finger and line up halfway between your pinky and wrist for maximum control and comfort. By rotating the bar slightly up or down, you can slightly alter the way the bar fits in your hand. As your bar gets wider, you will also need more backsweep(this is if you have a wide bar given your shoulder width).

 

The upsweep also plays a significant role in how the bar feels in your hands. So your hurting hands could be a number of things... Most bars are 8-10 degrees back and 4 degrees up depending on bar width.

 

Is the pain through the entire hand? outside of hand? or inside of the hand?

[Barend de Arend]

backsweep is the "ergonomic" bar for MTB, like the ergo drop bar was supposed to replace traditional drop bars on road bars -- and failed.

 

Use whatever makes you comfortable.

 

Backsweep is more likely to work on very wide bars, and 29ers usually have wider bars (technically because the fork manufacturers didn't fix rake to compensate for the trail and head angle changes when they made 29ers)

 

I'll repeat: use whatever makes you comfortable.

 

As to the hands: check that the bars aren't too wide. Too wide bars will cause your wrists to angle oddly inwards, stretching the outside tendons.

 

 

I'll repeat: use whatever makes you comfortable. Including a road drop-bar.

[SeaBee]

Pain is more on the outside, if I remember correctly - will double-check if I get the chance to go for a ride tonight.

 

Just spoke to the shop as well and taking the bike there for the small after-sales service. raised the point regarding bars and we'll speak about bar setup tomorrow. What is interesting, though, just had a look at the website and ALL the Spez flat bars are same width (680) and backsweep (8) - which tells me... it's pretty darn standard! (Did not look at those with rise.)

 

The other thing I did mention to the shop is I was very used to riding on my bar-ends on my 26er... None on my 29 and wondering whether that lack of variety is not what is killing my hands.

[4barlinkage]

backsweep is the "ergonomic" bar for MTB, like the ergo drop bar was supposed to replace traditional drop bars on road bars -- and failed.

 

Use whatever makes you comfortable.

 

Backsweep is more likely to work on very wide bars, and 29ers usually have wider bars (technically because the fork manufacturers didn't fix rake to compensate for the trail and head angle changes when they made 29ers)

 

I'll repeat: use whatever makes you comfortable.

 

As to the hands: check that the bars aren't too wide. Too wide bars will cause your wrists to angle oddly inwards, stretching the outside tendons.

 

 

I'll repeat: use whatever makes you comfortable. Including a road drop-bar.

 

Can't remember the last time I sold a traditional drop bar or Ergo bar....Compact road bars(shorter reach and drop) are a great combination...

 

Never seen a geniune flat bar... 0deg upsweep and backsweep

 

Not sure how the width of a bar affects the rake and trail of the bike... That is normally a fork offset(standard offsets from 26er forks were carried over to 29er forks before real time testing was done. Now there are forks made specifically to cater for the 29er market) and head angle problem(head angles are steeper on 29ers to make them steer faster). A wider bar will generally slow down your steering, improve high speed stability and put you in a better attack position. Your shoulder width determines how wide you should go. A shorter stem can also speed up steering, but make technical, steep climbing more challenging. There is an ideal combination depending on the type of riding you do.

 

A wider genuine flat bar with 0deg backsweep and upsweep will make your wrist angle inwards and cause pain in the wrists and hands. Hence the backsweep to put the bar in a more natural position. Too wide will cause discomfort between the shoulder blades.

 

Agree with the "ride what works for you" attitude though It's all preference.

[4barlinkage]

Pain is more on the outside, if I remember correctly - will double-check if I get the chance to go for a ride tonight.

 

Just spoke to the shop as well and taking the bike there for the small after-sales service. raised the point regarding bars and we'll speak about bar setup tomorrow. What is interesting, though, just had a look at the website and ALL the Spez flat bars are same width (680) and backsweep (8) - which tells me... it's pretty darn standard! (Did not look at those with rise.)

 

The other thing I did mention to the shop is I was very used to riding on my bar-ends on my 26er... None on my 29 and wondering whether that lack of variety is not what is killing my hands.

 

For pain on the outside - It may be that there is too much backsweep. Could also be conditioning.

 

Is your saddle height versus bar height the same as your previous bike? A lower bar will put more weight on your hands.

Is your reach(distance from saddle to bar) the same? - also alters how much weight is on your arms/wrists.

 

You mentioned that you had bar-ends too. The continuous movement of the hands from bar-ends to grips, etc does aid circulation and alleviates discomfort. Even without bar-ends, I find myself moving my hands around the bar(on top of brake levers, grips, ends of bar).

 

It could also come down to the angle of your brake levers in regards to how your arms angle is as it contacts the grips( check from the side in a mirror - It should be a continuous line).

 

The angles are pretty standard on most modern flat and riser bars as you noted. Gravity orientated bars tend to have more backsweep due to there width(710mm +).

 

Try loosening the stem clamp enough to rotate the bar in the stem. hold the bar without placing fingers on the brakes. Rotate it forward or backwards until you feel even pressure across your palm. Then adjust your brake levers to the same angle as your arm as above mentioned. Should give you a good starting point.

 

Hope this helps.

[DR ◣◢]

 

Try loosening the stem clamp enough to rotate the bar in the stem. hold the bar without placing fingers on the brakes. Rotate it forward or backwards until you feel even pressure across your palm. Then adjust your brake levers to the same angle as your arm as above mentioned. Should give you a good starting point.

 

 

Make sure you are seated on the bike with a friend helping you hold the bike up or set the bike up in an indoor trainer. Make sure the wheels are perfectly level.

[SeaBee]

Cool, will play around a bit with rotating the bar! Levers are properly set up, no worries there.