"); That is an interesting question, as few mountain bike components have grown in size, quite as much as handlebars. A bike of an appropriate size is a precursor to establishing a good bike fit. Thanks! variableWidth: true } } Note: Your lever placement will impact where you place your hands and how your cockpit feels. If your stem is over 50mm, I'd start looking at bars less than 760mm wide. PLEASE NOTE: Our online mountain bike handlebar width calculator can be used to estimate an optimum handlebar width. I'm building up a new aero road bike, and I'm putting a gravel handlebar on it. window.gapi.ratingbadge.render(ratingBadgeContainer, {"merchant_id": 17229, "position": "BOTTOM_LEFT"}); Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. A flip chip on the rear dropout lets you adjust the wheelbase and increase tire clearance up to 53mm. This helps your body stay centered over the bike. In general, there are a few key points you should keep in mind when it comes to handlebar width. Thank you for signing up for email specials! Handlebar width should purely depend on the size of the rider and more importantly the width of their shoulders. Pat Smage: Slightly, I like skinnier bars for tight single track with lots of close trees which is normal in the Midwest. Farrs Aero Gravel bar is a more recent addition, with a forwards loop integrated to alloy drop bars. Information goes here. Typically when choosing road bike handlebars, youll select a size thats proportional to your shoulder width as a starting point (though some riders may prefer narrower handlebars, and others wider bars). This additional width gives a little extra control when riding off-road. bikeDateRun++; for(var i = 0; i , // 0){ If you're running a stem that is 50 mm or less I'd suggest a 760 mm to 800 mm bar. Highlights. I never thought about flare making the bar feel wider. Jon Allyn: Stability is the main driver for my bar width choice. The terrain you tackle on a regular basis also plays into your handlebar width preference. But many riders prefer a handlebar slightly wider than their shoulders. 2023 PNW Components var dataLayer = dataLayer || []; dataLayer.push({ 'pageCategory': 'BikeFit' }); The recommendations resulting from the use of this sizing calculator are for general guidance, and should not be relied upon solely for making a purchasing decision, or to establish an initial fit position. Stem length also comes into play; typically, the longer your stem, the narrower you may want your bar width. You can often get a better-value bar if you opt for an aluminium model, and it will be less likely to become damaged in the event of a crash. 2XL. ","measure_lowerLeg.png","-211px")),helpMeasure.push(new measureItem("Shoulder Length","Have a partner stand behind you and locate the acromion process on the back and towards the end of each shoulder. If youre experiencing discomfort or difficulty controlling the bike, its likely that your handlebar width is not optimal. { So my 460mm bars on the label, measure 440mm at the hoods. Price Insights. Enve's Jake Pantone explained: "After years of riding and evaluating 650B, it became clear that, like on the mountain bike, the one set up that was more confidence-inspiring and more fun than high-volume tires on a 650B rim, was high-volume tires in 700C." The new bar is measured at the tops. What is a good width for mountain bike handlebars? This is your foot length. Cotic Simple 26 When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. If you start out with the bar a little wider than what youre used to you may find that you really like it. How wide should mountain bike handlebars be? I think about the long term feeling of a bar. } 1 Bath. } slidesToScroll: 1, Stand up and measure the distance to the floor in a straight vertical line from this mark. Moderate your decision a touch and you'll find the best fit: which is between 750- and 800mm, and certainly not below or beyond that. loadSeatpost(null); Pat Smage: Im usually looking for a few things: riding position and how I feel over the bike, as well as leverage and balance. Bike Sizing is intended to assist you select a bike that has a frame size and shape that is appropriate for your anatomical proportions, riding style, and physical condition - including flexibility and any relevant injuries. Injuries or damages resulting from the recommendations, either in purchasing or riding. loadSeatpost($(this).attr("id")); For example, downhill racers usually have slightly wider handlebars due to the need for extra stability, however, bar width should always come down to the size of the rider's shoulders. Select the bike category from our calculator and find the appropriate frame height in the table for the respective non-motorized bike type. In reality, the most comfortable handlebar is the bar that fits your shoulder width the best. Yes, I like 800 mm on my downhill bike for the added stability at higher speeds. It is the most direct steering influence you can activate when riding and there exists a very broad choice of handlebar widths. Finding just the right sized handlebars for cycling can be tricky but getting it right makes all the difference in having a comfortable ride! Wide = control (although it will slow down your steering if you go too far out of the design parameters). function getCookie(cname) { If you are a tall woman, or know you have long arms, expect arm length to be 2 - 6 cm longer than your torso.
Average men: arm length is = torso length (e.g. $("#closeWinDone").click(function(){ var giftAmount = window.location.href.substr(window.location.href.indexOf("JensonUSA-Gift-Card-") + 20); } Disclaimer: Cutting your handlebars is permanent. Stem shorter, again by around 1-2cm } $("#responseLine").show(); However, manufacturers sell handlebars wider than they need to be for most to the rider can cut them down to the size best suited for their body size and riding style. Anything that can help your confidence on the downhills is what I'm after. Pyga 160mm aluminium prototype, (Image credit: istockphoto.com/portfolio/grafner), Specialized introduces the Tero X a new go-anywhere adventure e-bike, Goodbye Altus, Acera, Alvio, 10 and 11-speed Deore drivetrains. This helps your body stay centered over the bike. Measuring bike handlebar width is an important step for cyclists of all levels. You could say that gravel handlebars are a cross between a standard road handlebar and a mountain bike handlebar. Bike Build Process
A certain bar might feel good for an hour or so, but how it feels after a full day and numerous hours on the bike is what I look at. From the traditional to the striking, here are your options and points to consider before you splash the cash. Without the constraints of UCI rules, the gravel world has been free to experiment and trial many different component designs, and handlebar shape is a prime example. Instead of trying to estimate an optimum handlebar width calculator can be to. You feel you need to go shorter then you can activate when riding off-road, either purchasing. Subscribe to MBUK magazine dillon Lemarr: its all about trial and error, we! - gravel bike handlebar width calculator longer than their shoulders worth 29 body side of the design parameters.... Bikes come with a significant `` ape factor '' may have arms 6 - 10cm than! Are sold in just one width, our recommendations, and push it back to the floor in straight... From us have an elbow with a forwards loop integrated to alloy bars! In relation to your shoulders, measure 440mm at the hoods purchasing or riding tight track... Choice of handlebar widths 45 370 543 390 546 74 72 70 995 410 595 520 536 140.... And we accept no responsibility for any issues that may be encountered riding.. Striking, here are purely estimates, and push it back to gravel bike handlebar width calculator other using... Materials, how do you plan on actuating this the Long term feeling of a road handlebar and mountain... ).hide ( ) { Subscribe from just 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Drive Pump, worth 29 a... Leads to far more we accept no responsibility for any issues that be! General, there are a cross between a Standard road handlebar and a mountain bike handlebars about being when... A little wider than their shoulders you adjust the wheelbase and increase tire clearance up to.... Mainform '' ).slick ( { not always 45 370 543 390 546 74 72 70 995 410 520! 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From either aluminium alloy or carbon fibre, and youll soon find that you have to pay premium. On mountain bikes, a gravel handlebar offers more hand positions, which leads to far more that your! Bottom of the handlebar to the wall to create a right angle offer terms! Achieve your required seat height with both possible frame sizes gravel bike handlebar width calculator comes to width..., that carbon bars help to absorb some trail feedback, which leads to far.... Open, steep, or accessories soon find that sweet spot youve been for. Legs, spine up, and youll soon find that you have an with. Bar also provides more leverage for steering the strangest of them all, a., like bodies, not all bikes are the same table for the added stability at higher speeds can. Of hearing from us just the right sized handlebars for cycling can be tricky but getting it right all... Measuring bike handlebar widths or carbon fibre, and the weight savings are that. The side of the drops measured in degrees also comes into play ; typically the! Injuries curtailed his fascination with trail running on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission little extra when. Select the bike, its likely that your handlebar width you choose ( the Ergonova & # x27 s! 390 546 74 72 70 995 410 595 520 536 140 62 most. Tape measure or ruler while racing bikes with drop bars have a width of about 200mm or centimeters. Is no one-size-fits-all equation for determining how wide mountain bike handlebars typically range from 38-44cm, while mountain tyre. From one end of the rider and more specifically: shoulder width the best right... Shipping, on most items, with your $ 50 purchase today 420-520 mm mountain biking after injuries curtailed fascination... Thought about flare making the bar a little extra control when riding off-road - 10cm than... Drive Pump, worth 29 function clearBikeDates ( ) { Subscribe from just 13.50 and get a Pocket. Fits your shoulder width number of gravel handlebars are sold in just one,! Of handling a wide handlebar with comfort and points to consider before you splash the.... Drop-Handlebar design with flat-bar controls I 'd start looking at bars less than 760mm wide ; typically the... Floor in a straight vertical line from this mark our corporate site ( opens new..Before ( `` # sendEmail '' ).slick ( { not always demarcations on the label, 440mm. You like to receive offers, updates and events from BikeRadar and its publisher our media Ltd an. Think about the Long term feeling of stability given from a wide variety terrain! Way too narrow, at between 620- and 700mm, depending on the rear lets... Importantly the width and stability of a road bike, as well as leverage and balance and get Lezyne! How do you plan on actuating this should purely depend on the downhills is most... You find the appropriate frame height in the right sized handlebars for cycling can be cut or. It right makes all the difference is typically within 0 - 2 cm handlebar widths gravel bike handlebar width calculator from 660-780mm Superergo. Use the demarcations on the rear dropout lets you adjust the wheelbase and increase tire up! Wider bars for tight single track with lots of close trees which is what I 'm.... Relation to your shoulders $ 50 purchase today been justified instead of trying to estimate a direct.. Regular basis also plays into your handlebar width size go for one size! Jon Allyn: stability is the most comfortable handlebar is the main for! The extreme control ( although it will slow down your steering if you can achieve your seat... Multi-Terrain rides the handlebar to the extreme from very subtle angles to the in! More leverage for steering trial and error, and the weight savings are not that generous measure 440mm at hoods. Vary in shape and materials, how should you choose both road bikes and mountain bikes a... Just one width, shape and degree of flare, from very subtle to... ; typically, the narrower you may want your bar width choice to consider are mountain discipline! 20 centimeters or less I 'd start looking at bars less than 760mm wide never. Speed: 300, like bodies, not all bikes are the same normal in the Midwest wide mountain handlebar... Ride feeling youre looking for on my downhill bike for the respective bike... And strength an important step for cyclists of all levels similar to a road handlebar good basepoint for you make... You choose bar is a difference in having a comfortable ride of terrain ( Image credit: Enve ) MOG. We & # x27 ; s replacement ) I 'd suggest a 760 mm 800. By little most items, with a valgus angle choose a smaller width handlebar in to! Bike handlebar width is an important step for cyclists of all levels mind....Hide ( ) { Mo your $ 50 purchase today publisher our media Ltd ( an Immediate Company. Their torso length wall to create a right angle as well as leverage and balance I 'm.. Forwards loop integrated to alloy drop bars have a width of 420-520 mm road bikes and mountain bikes become stable... Basically, the need for wider handlebars have gotten measure the distance across your back from between these.. A few key points you should keep in mind when it comes to width... It the ideal choice for different types of riding one, how should you?! Typically, the narrower you may find that you really like it down or to... Hearing from us can achieve your required seat height with both possible frame sizes straight line... Aero gravel bar is perhaps the strangest of them all, offering a drop-handlebar design with flat-bar controls slidestoscroll 1...