Wider bars

[NickGM]

So I've realised I much prefer the feel of wider handlebars (which I have on my full sus bike) and am looking to fit similarly wide bars to my hardtail. If I were to do that, would I typically need to shorten the stem a bit too? At the moment it is 100mm, but I'd guess I need to scale it down to avoid permanently riding in the superman position. 

 

At the moment the bar width is 680mm and stem length is 100mm. If I went with a 760mm bar, I suspect scaling the stem down to 70mm or so would be OK. Any thoughts or oinions?

 

I know this is a bit of a "How long is a piece of string" type of question but, if I've learnt anything from the hub, it's that thrashing out opinions on the most trivial bike details is almost as good as riding a bike. 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

You're on the right track! As for bars, if you're on a budget you simply can't go wrong with Rapide. They have a fantastic 780mm bar for R 280. I've been using them for a while now and they're the real thing. Stiff, strong and cheap. 

 

Obviously you can cut it down if you want to. 

[NickGM]

You're on the right track! As for bars, if you're on a budget you simply can't go wrong with Rapide. They have a fantastic 780mm bar for R 280. I've been using them for a while now and they're the real thing. Stiff, strong and cheap. 

 

Obviously you can cut it down if you want to. 

Ah cool, thanks for the input. I've actually just pulled the trigger on different bars, but wish I'd seen the discounted Rapide ones first. Any similar bargains on stems that you can think of?

[AlanD]

Agree with Myles on the Rapide Bar. Excellent value for money. I played around with different lengths (lock on grips, moving them inwards and outwards) and just left them at the full 780mm eventually.

 

Went from a 90mm Stem down to a 60mm then later a 50mm and worked lekker.

[RiverInTheRoad]

As a rule of thumb for a trail bike (according to me)

 

800mm bars {} 0 - 50mm stem

780 bars {} 40 - 60mm stem

<760 bars {} 60 - 80mm stem

 

But if in doubt go for a 760 bar 70 mm stem. Too drastic changes are never good.

[popcorn_skollie]

As a rule of thumb for a trail bike (according to me)

 

800mm bars {} 0 - 50mm stem

780 bars {} 40 - 60mm stem

<760 bars {} 60 - 80mm stem

 

But if in doubt go for a 760 bar 70 mm stem. Too drastic changes are never good.

 

http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/not_having_it.gif

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

As a rule of thumb for a trail bike (according to me)

 

800mm bars {} 0 - 50mm stem

780 bars {} 40 - 60mm stem

<760 bars {} 60 - 80mm stem

 

But if in doubt go for a 760 bar 70 mm stem. Too drastic changes are never good.

Suppose my 740mm bar with 50mm stem would be frowned upon.....

Works for me though.

[Odinson]

I've been riding a 580mm bar with a 35mm stem.

 

The handling is what I would call "snappy".

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

In my opinion, the stem should be used to fine tune your reach / ett measurement, which is why I generally suggest stem lengths of between 35mm & 70mm as that (35mm range) is normally the difference in size between 2 frames. 

 

Bar width should be used to fine tune your desired steering response. Wider = slower but more precise and easier to manhandle. Narrower = faster but more twitchy, less precise. 

 

Bar rise should be used to fine tune your desired stack height. If ou use stem spacers to do this, it automatically reduces the reach at the same time, which isn't desirable. 

 

All these things work together, of course, so it's best to find the option that works best for you - as Skollie says. 

 

My stock standard response is to get a frame that is big enough to allow as short a stem length as possible. 

 

IMO, of course. 

[popcorn_skollie]

Suppose my 740mm bar with 50mm stem would be frowned upon.....

Works for me though.

 

747 with a 35 and 740 with a 50. No wonder I ride so ***.

 

To help the OP out. Bar width, rise, sweep and stem length is a very personal thing.

Even once you've decided. You preference might be different when you switch bikes.

The solution? Try as many combinations as possible. See if your buddies have spares you could try out. try moving your grips along towards the inside of the bar before you cut them etc. Generally speaking and this is my personal preference. You want to go with a bar as wide as you feel comfortable and a stem as short as you feel comfortable. Its not a rule of thumb. But ok maybe to me it is a rule of thumb.

[NickGM]

I've been riding a 580mm bar with a 35mm stem.

 

The handling is what I would call "snappy".

That's pretty aggressive. Are you sure you're not riding a fixie down the trails?

[NickGM]

As far as stems go, I'm tempted by these:

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/207944-carbon-stems/

Weight reduction is not necessarily my priority, but they are cheapish and (based on discussions with a pretty helpful and well-rated seller) are reliable chinese carbon imports. Is that a terrible idea? I see there is a whole thread about chinese carbon, but, well I have a day job and that thread is long. 

 

Unfortunately I'm put off by the old saying in design; "You can have light, cheap and strong. Pick two". 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

As far as stems go, I'm tempted by these:

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/207944-carbon-stems/

Weight reduction is not necessarily my priority, but they are cheapish and (based on discussions with a pretty helpful and well-rated seller) are reliable chinese carbon imports. Is that a terrible idea? I see there is a whole thread about chinese carbon, but, well I have a day job and that thread is long. 

 

Unfortunately I'm put off by the old saying in design; "You can have light, cheap and strong. Pick two". 

 

 

Honestly, I wouldn't. There's chinese, and then there's CHINESE. Knowing the factory of origin / original manufacturer / brand would go a long way to putting any fears to rest.

 

For example - if it was a Light Bicycle / Nobl / XMCarbonSpeed product, I'd not hesitate to pull the trigger. 

[Odinson]

That's pretty aggressive. Are you sure you're not riding a fixie down the trails?

 

Don't be a hater, bro. I'm just ahead of the curve. In 2 seasons all the DHers are gonna be running my setup.

[NotSoBigBen]

This is how I picture the captain ....

 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

This is how I picture the captain ....

 

super-wide-bar.jpg

bahahahaa... 

 

I went down from my standard 800's (which had a HORRIBLE sweep of 5 degrees) to a much more comfortable 9 degree sweep 780mm setup. 

 

Chalk and cheese. 

 

And no, wider than 800 for me wouldn't be nice, there is such a thing as too much.