Handlebar Width/Length

[Two-Stroke]

Yikes - this is embarrassing, I can't remember my stem length now 

 

• Stem:  Specialized Trail, 3D forged alloy, 4-bolt, 6-degree rise  (I think it's 75mm long)
• Bar:  Specialized, 6061 alloy, 6-degree upsweep, 8-degree backsweep, 27mm rise, 750mm width

Got told during bike fit that I'm on the cusp of between a L and XL frame, and combo that with the 2017 Camber's fairly short toptube length, the advise was that I can't go any shorter on the stem.

 

Reading the Rapide article Lincolm posted above, it sounds like wider bars with shorter stem cancel out any change in reach?

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Correct. And okay, you're juuuust over what I'd recommend as an absolute max stem length for any bike, but given that you're on a bike that's too small for you, that's understandable. And yes, you're right about the reduction of change in bar to saddle length when reducing stem length and widening bars. They cancel each other out, but you gain and lose certain other things as well. Sometimes a better control, better breathing, if your shoulders are narrow and arms short you may lose control due to being too wide for you, etc etc.

 

Fit the bar. Save up for a new frame, or see if you can find a swap deal on the frame. You're too big for the bike, really... And no, you do NOT want a longer stem on there!

[Chris NewbyFraser]

Watching todays world cup I noticed Nino rides narrow bars. Found an article that says he rides 680mm bars.

[LOCO4360]

I'm running a 780 Rapide riser which I've cut down to 760 (short arms) with a 60mm st m (down from 100mm) and what a difference.. I'm thinking of going 40mm stem soon.. feels so much better than 680 bars with 100mm stem

[Grease_Monkey]

Going from 750mm to 780mm without changing stem length is not gonna be earth shattering or have big downsides - you will however experience better control and stability at speed.

 

I have used 760mm bars with a 90mm stem and it handled fine. Very stable at speed but not great in the twisty bits, but it worked.

[Two-Stroke]

Alternatively...hang onto current cockpit and sell bike to replace with a new 2019 Stumpjumper when they're released later this year... 6 months post-wedding is enough "no bike toys" waiting time right?!

[Grease_Monkey]

Alternatively...hang onto current cockpit and sell bike to replace with a new 2019 Stumpjumper when they're released later this year... 6 months post-wedding is enough "no bike toys" waiting time right?!

Sounds like a much better idea to me! That short travel Stumpy looks like a riot.

[Patensie]

Watching todays world cup I noticed Nino rides narrow bars. Found an article that says he rides 680mm bars.

that's Nino. He'll outride me on a ridged 1988 diamondback. I need all the help i can get. Therefore i use a 35mm stem and 790 bar on a santa cruz 5010. And I'm 1.66m short.

[Simon123]

Ride a 800 wide with 50mm stem.  Have for about 3,5 years from a 777mm wide bar.

 

Rode a 760 bar the other day.  Felt bizarre. haha

[patches]

Besides bar width and stem length, there are other factors that will play into it, like back sweep, up sweep, rise, stack height headset spacers) and how much one "rolls" their bars forward/back.

 

I'm 1.87m tall, average shoulder width and arm length.

 

Current setup on my bikes:

 

Trek Remedy 27.5" - Enduro bike

• Bars: Renthal Fatbar 35mm Ø, 800mm wide, 20mm rise, 7˚ backsweep, 5˚ upsweep.
• Stem: Bontrager Line 35mm Ø, 50mm long, 0˚ rise.
• Stack: 2x10mm headset spacers below stem.

(The Renthals are 20mm wider and a little flatter than the OEM bars, so I plan to put on a Hope AM/FR 35mm length stem)

 

Morewood Sukuma 26" - Enduro bike

• Bars: Renthal Fatbar 31.8mm Ø, 760mm wide (cut), 10mm rise, 7˚ backsweep, 5˚ upsweep.
• Stem: Easton Havoc 31.8mm Ø, 50mm long, 0˚ rise.
• Stack: 1x10mm headset spacers below stem.

(Setup felt just right on this bike until I bought the Trek ans stopped riding it )

 

Morewood Zuliza Prototype 26" Fourcross (4X) bike

• Bars: Renthal Fatbar Lite 31.8mm Ø, 740mm wide, 20mm rise, 7˚ backsweep, 5˚ upsweep.
• Stem: Superstar Razer DH 31.8mm Ø, 45mm long, 5˚ rise.
• Stack: 1x10mm headset spacers below stem.

(The Fatbar Lite feels a bit narrow after riding the 800mm wide Renthals on the other bike, but one gets used to it pretty quickly, and the bike is supposed to be quick & nimble, so going too wide may be compromising that)

[Chris NewbyFraser]

Back in the early nineties we rode 50mm super rigid flat bars with long stems to ease the vicious feedback from tyres that were pumped to 3bar. 26r' wheels, laced with 32 spokes and fitted with state of the art elastomer shocks providing 35mm travel. Somehow I don't miss those days.