How wide are your bars?

[vernie]

So I've been thinking about getting some riser bars for my XTC 1, replacing 690 mm flat, and was wondering what width of riser bar I should get, factoring in the narrower feel due to the sweep on riser bars.

So far I've considered the Easton Haven risers at 711mm.

What bars are you guys using, and on what bike, application etc...?

[fat_weasel]

Originally Posted by vernie

So I've been thinking about getting some riser bars for my XTC 1, replacing 690 mm flat, and was wondering what width of riser bar I should get, factoring in the narrower feel due to the sweep on riser bars.

So far I've considered the Easton Haven risers at 711mm.

What bars are you guys using, and on what bike, application etc...?

I have an Atlas AM riser (725mm stock length) on my SS. I live in northern CA, meaning that I ride a mix of forested singletrack and steep fire road climbs. I cut the bar down to about 700mm because I got tired of punching trees by accident, but all things being equal I would prefer the stock length. I find that a wider bar makes for better cornering and more leverage on standing climbs...it feels a little strained when climbing in the saddle, but on a one-speed that doesn't really bother me.

[Stumpy29er]

Haven on a large Paradox, sweet bar. My El Mariachi will be getting the same, soon. I'm 6'0", typical build.

[Lowball]

I'm running 711's on my Nomad and my 26" SS All-mountain and have been for a while now. Even went to a 30" wide bar on my SS but switched to the havens for the carbon. My Demo7II is still on the BooBar full length-780mm.

Very stable on any dh stuff and great leverage for climbing. Haven't ran into many single-track stuff that was too narrow to get thru on my local trails in NorCal.

[gvs_nz]

A lot depends on how tall you. Tall rider wide bars.

[vernie]

Originally Posted by gvs_nz

A lot depends on how tall you. Tall rider wide bars.

Yea, you're right, but I'm just interested in seeing what different people are riding with out there, and their thoughts etc.

[yoohoo]

640mm on my Flash 29.

[azpoolguy]

Ive been using the SunLine V-1 at 745mm on my last two bikes. It's the first time I haven't been riding with my hands hanging over the edge of the grips. I just ordered the Haven Carbon Riser for my new SuperFly build. I'm interested to try some carbon bars. I should have them Monday. Easton took their own sweet time on shipping with the three day weekend last week.

[vernie]

Originally Posted by azpoolguy

Ive been using the SunLine V-1 at 745mm on my last two bikes. It's the first time I haven't been riding with my hands hanging over the edge of the grips. I just ordered the Haven Carbon Riser for my new SuperFly build. I'm interested to try some carbon bars. I should have them Monday. Easton took their own sweet time on shipping with the three day weekend last week.

Let me know how you find them. I was planning on getting the alloy Havens but may consider the carbon if the benefit is worth the price.

[azpoolguy]

Originally Posted by vernie

Let me know how you find them. I was planning on getting the alloy Havens but may consider the carbon if the benefit is worth the price.

It will be a few days. I test rode a stock SuperFly to see if I like the frame and the bars felt all wrong after riding wide bars for a few years.

I ordered them last Friday in hopes they would ship on Tuesday but they did not. I probably won't have the bike completed until Tuesday or Wednesday next week.

[kwrides]

To replace the horribly straight bar that came on my Anthem X1, I just bought a Niner carbon bar and cut it down to 690. It's beautiful, but I don't think it solved my problem. I'm probably going to sell it and buy a riser.

[sikocycles]

29.5 on my FSR

[swill'n]

Recently switched from salsa promoto 11 degree at 690 to easton havoc 750mm. For the type of rocky conditions and my riding style I enjoy the benefits of a wider bar. I lowered my stem and removed all spacers to keep the front end as low as possible wile atop an F29 120 fork. I like the swept feel of the salsa for comfort but not quite as much as I like the wider riser bar for climbing and increased control on the downhills. Just try as many setups as you can and you will find what works. Best.

[wobbem]

700mm with bar ends,short stem, I'm 5' 8"

[hags707]

70mm stem with 685 low rise and hit trees on some trails so it as wide as I am willing to go.

[NYrr496]

I have no idea how wide my bars are, but they're stock width RaceFace Rides. I didn't feel like they were real wide until my brother busted out his ancient Manitou FS bike and the freakin' grips were almost touching the stem. I asked how the hell did you ever ride that??

[Squatcho]

I'm trying out a Crank Brothers Sage bar - 780mm wide. Its probably too much, but I plan to trim it a little every few rides until the fit feels right. I'm guessing around 720 will be the sweet spot.

EDIT: I'm using a 0° 100mm stem, and I'm 6'2 with monkey arms.

[vernie]

Yea I'm hoping a riser bar will solve my lower back issues. The stock 100mm 8 degree stem and 690mm flat bar were fine on my back, but where terrible handling wise as the grips would leave my hand on the outer reaches when turning. The new 75mm stem makes the bike handle beautifully, but has caused lower back pain, most likely because I'm hunching over too much. Hopefully a riser bar will fix all of this.

[TunicaTrails]

Just built up a new race bike with 700mm bars. This is very wide for the tight and twisty trails we have in the Deep South, but I'm tall and it feels great so far. I hope I'm able to get by with it at this width and not cut the Enve carbon riser bar down.

[mudmav]

ive got an xl xtc 29er 1 2011 and i run 3t extendo 740mm bars with 12 degree backsweep and 11mm rise awesome bar and the sweep feels great

[vernie]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, given some of the widths you guys are running, I think 711mm would be a good length for me.

[Lowball]

Originally Posted by vernie

Thanks for all the feedback guys, given some of the widths you guys are running, I think 711mm would be a good length for me.

711 and don't look back

[gregnash]

Currently running Giant Connect 690mm flat bars. I really like these and I am looking for a cheap 31.8mm stem, 70mm or 80mm to try out as I get more accustomed to the bike I am feeling the 90mm stem I have is a bit long.

[Fett]

600mm for me. I have tried wider bars and they simply make a bike feel sluggish to me. I also singlespeed and never have understood how a longer lever perpendicular to the direction that you want to go gives you more "leverage" that people always refer to.

I realize everyone has a different feel to what they like, but can someone explain how they are gaining "leverage" to propel their bike better forward?

[azpoolguy]

My new Haven Carbon riser showed up yesterday.

I won't get a chance to ride them till tomorrow night and Saturday. I will post back with an initial ride impression later.