What difference does the handlebar size make?

[MphatiPyga]

If it works for you go for it.

Did they do a bikefit for you at time of purchase?

No bike fit done, came off a large Anthem which always felt bargeish, went on the chart from Giants website for that specific bike

[Bos]

wide bar + short stem = more corner control + quick response (less straight line stability)

wide bar + long stem = more corner control + slower response (steer like a bus)

short bar + short stem = less corner control + quick response (therefore twitchy)

short bar + long stem = less corner control + slower response (but stable in straight line like road bikes)

If I may add some info for the newbees (in my humble opinion)

 

Wide bar + Short stem = weight further back(good for downhills) + confidence & stability at speed (best on steep fast stuff)

 

Wide bar + long stem = weight further forward keeps front wheel down when climbing, more comfort while climbing and more aero on the flats however will be very spread out and uncomfortable over long periods + confidence & stability at speed (However on paper this setup is terrible in tight stuff good on high speed but not downhill)

 

Short bar + short stem = weight further back(good for downhills) + more twitchy steering (on paper best in tight stuff)

 

Short bar + Long stem = weight further forward keeps front wheel down when climbing+ weight more centred easier on upperbody over long periods which is why many endurance riders prefers this.

 

Some important things to keep in mind:

• When a bike is faced uphill the horizontal distance between the contact point on the handlebar and the contact point on the seat gets shorter. This makes an already short cockpit uncomfortably short on steeper climbs.
• This one is more for the bike setup geeks, but the lower more forward body position enables one to put out more power - (extreme example TT position)

 

• With regard to bar width.. I would say a wide bar is all good at speed, but I find it difficult to manuver through tight twisty stuff.
• Shouldn't there be some relation between the lenth of your bars and the lenth of your arms?
• Wider bars definitely add confidence 30km/h and more on rough stuff.

 

In the end pick a stem length for the type of riding you do, and a bar width for the type of rider you are?  lol.. has a good ring to it

 

each to his own.

[MphatiPyga]

Just some feedback, rain finally stopped allowing a little 50km jaunt up Normandein pass, 70mm stem made a huge difference, no numb hands and felt a lot more comfortable overall, only my overall lack of fitness was a negative, need to work on that!

[Kevlouw]

Thanks all for the feedback.

 

Received the Rapide 780mm bar yesterday. Will fit it this weekend and see how it is. 

 

Will post some photos too.