Riser bars or flat bars? Width?

[MichH]

So, as you know I took the "baby girl" out for her first dirt outing to Logwood. I was amazed at how great full suspension is, and I really felt like I fitted the frame pretty darn well (bought a size small for a steal, but I'm 176cm tall!)

 

Anyway, she cornered nicely, I felt really quick, it was only on Showtime that I struggled a bit with hitting the entry and exit gates. So, when I left I was chatting to Geoff about shortening the bars, and generally about the size. He suggested moving to flat bars as "This would solve a lot of the problems".

 

What do you all think? Should I change?

 

Also, what is the ideal width for handlebars? I've heard they should be the same width as your shoulders?

 

Here is a pic. The long stem seems to work OK (makes sure I don't feel too cramped on the bike) but if another person suggests that it's a bit long, I may be open to changing it!!

[SARA]

Did you get set up on it properly? That would be the most sensible thing to do. The bars are really a personal choice. U should try both out. I like them flat, although Ive enjoyed risers. Only thing is u cant put bar ends on risers. It just is not done. They should be your shoulder width ideally yes, but wider or narrower gives you different handling. A wider bar allows you to feel more stable on the bike while narrower bars are more responsive and twitchy (plus u can fit btw trees!) 

[TitusTi]

As the young lady said, it's very personal. I used to race with a 640 mm riser on my one bike and I used to race with a 580 mm flat bar on another bike. I currently use a 600 mm flat bar with a 3 degree sweep, main reason is beacuse it put me in a neutral position for riding most situations, up, down, flat, whatever. Try out a few, you seem to be quite small so start with a 580 mm bar then work your way up?

[MichH]

Thanks guys. I think the next step is to take it to Linden Cycle and get some setup advice. Dad and I built the bike up so there's still room for improvement in the small stuff (stem and bars, etc)

P.S. my shoulders when hubbie measured were 430mm!

Hmm... just remembered that slowpoke took this 'full frontal' pic on Sunday. Looking now, my bars are definitely too long!

[Mudsimus]

Get a shorter stem.... Keep to riser bars but try to get one with less of a rise.

[GoLefty!!]

yikes, your set up looks well errrr............unconventional..

 

the trick with MTB bars is LEVERAGE.

 

even though your shoulder are only 43cm wide, you are a girl, girls are little less strong in the upper body than boys so you need a wider bar than similar sized boy.

Too narrow and you won;t be able to put enough force into the stem to keep the bike tracking straight over rocky terrain. Think long wrench, short wrench. It's easier to turn the bolt with a long wrench..

 

You big problem seem to be stem length and height of the bars. They're so high that most of your weight is being focussed over the rear wheel. Climbing must be............challenging.

 

Shorten the stem to 120mm ( yours looks to be at 140mm) and fit i upside down.

Get a low rise bar of 620mm so that the bars aabout level with the saddle and you have enough width to exert some leverage.

 

try and borrow the parts from someone first to try it out.

 

[rock]

are those by any chance 2007 XTR brake levers/shifters  ????

[TitusTi]

Good lord they do appear to be, don't they?

[GoLefty!!]

well spotted you bike tart you..

[MichH]

Sorry people, my tale is a sad one. I ordered full XT drivetrain, disc brakes and Dual Control Shifters, but they were out of stock on the shifters, so they upgraded me free of charge to the XTR!!!! I'm devastated!!!

 

Heeheeheee hahahahaha!!!!!

[TitusTi]

You may be devastated bu we're enraged! From whom?

[MichH]

Thanks GoLefty. Dad was trying to get it as close to my Schwinn as possible. Not neccessarily the best method of fitting!

 

So if I get you right, I should try a shorter stem and fit it upside down (huh?)

 

ITO less rise, I have a friedn willing to lend me one to try. Amazingly it is exactly 620mm wide (perfect!)

 

What am I aiming for? Bars and saddle about the same height? What about length from seat to bars? NB or not?

 

Also, do I need to worry about my bars being too far over the front wheel? It seems comfortable but you're spot on, climbing was horrible!!!

 

Who in Jhb would be able to help with MTB setup? Any recommendations?

[MichH]

Hahahahaha TitusTi, we ordered through a 'connection' in Durbs. He is a registered Shimano sales agent, but 'coz he's alomost family, he charges us much less than retail.

 

He ordered directly with Coolheat, and when the order arrived, Voila! New bling shifters! I was at Logwood on Sunday and Geoff was saying that there is a waiting list for them and people would KILL for a set! Hmmm... thinking of that, I better not let on where I live and work, my life may not be worth much!!! Giggle!

[MichH]

P.S. the whole bike build up cost R10 000 and change. Worked out really well. Although my bank account is inexplicably emptied!! Wink

[GoLefty!!]

I guess [ducks for cover] Cyclelab can help....

 

 

What yu want to achieve is a position where you are centred over the bike. The Long stem you currently have does throw your hands to far forward which when turning can result in the unpleasant handlebar flop - the front wheel just stops but you keep going....

 

Reach - handlebar to saddle measurement is important too. There should be a 90degree angle  between forearm and upper back when your arms are straight and hands on the grips.

 

at 176cm I'mthinking the Genius is going to be too short but heres hoping you've over measeured your height...

[MichH]

Hmmm... GoLefty, I know the small Scott is really too small for me, but the frame was R2000 with back shock, rims, hubs, seat post, and I got caught up in the buying fever. I'll fiddle a bit to get it closer to ideal based on your guidelines, thanks!

 

i'll let you know how it goes...