Riser bars versus flat bars, 31.8 v 25.4?

[Sherpa Boy]

Hey guys/gals -

Call me old school, but why does there seem to be so many shops, folks "against" flat bars? I recently got an Iron Horse HollowPoint Expert, but flat bars give space for lights or computers, or whatever you want. Yet, the local bike shops all seem to push risers? To me, isn't it just preferance? Are there any advantages to riser bars? Also, the diameter thing....the oversized stuff seems to be less and less, why is that? Thanks for any feedback!!

[allroy]

weight weenie racer boys use flat bars, bad boy aggro hucksters use riser bars. Me I use funky bars since I'm a singlespeed fixie hipster type.

It all comes down to how the bike fits you. To get the same hand position, you could get a high-rise stem and flat bar or a stem with less rise and use a riser bar. Either way you would achieve the same end result. Typically riser bars are wider, have more sweep and give you a more upright riding style which for bombing downhill is a good thing, not so much for all out sprinting on an XC course. There are more and more styles of bars coming out that give you more choice, I know Salsa has some flat bars with a lot of sweep (for a non-funky bar that is).

Some generalizations there, but gets the point across. How do you ride and what works for you, that is the most important thing. If a shop is pushing marketing hype over fit walk out and go somewhere else.

Just don't ever use barends on a riser bars, that's like wearing white after labor day!

[smdubovsky]

I'm w/ allroy, riser bar + lo-rise stem is equivalent to a flat bar + hi-rise stem. The limiting factor comes when you can't get enough stem rise. Stems seems to max out at about 15deg. 15deg * 100mm = 25mm = 1" of rise. To go higher you HAVE to use a riser bar. Since downhillers typ use short stems, they have no other choice but riser bars to adjust the height.

I think OS bars are attractive (engineering wise) when done in carbon since its easilty moldable and can take advantage of tapering thicknesses. A carbon bar isn't paper thin in the middle either. An AL OS bar seems overkill (and the weight differences show this). Buckling appears to be the limiting factor so you can't thin out AL enough to really take advantage of the larger diam.

[kilara]

thanks for asking this question. I just got a specialized epic and it has a riser bar. My stumpy has a flat and I love it and feel I have more control over the bike. from what I can tell it really comes down to how you feel with em, but this can be said about most things on bikes. As for a diameter I have never even thought about it. I guess there is the weight concern but for all that you can sweat off the difference in a mile or so :)

[eloach]

IMO -
A flat bar facilitates climbing. A riser bar facilitates descending. Riser bars also seem to have more sweep to them than a typical flat bar.

There are many variations in bars. I don't really like going into a major downhill with a flat bar because the way I tend to set them up I end up too far forward on the bike.

I wouldn't switch out a flat bar if you are cool with the way the bike "drives".

I don't see that many true "flat" bars on bikes. They either have some sweep, some rise, or a bit of both.

[tuba_transport]

I like riders cause you can really fine tune your riding position by twisting it forward and backward in the stem when setting it up. This adjusts fore/aft position along with sweep direction and to some degree height.

[BikerMiker]

Wider bar = more leverage to control the front end = good for downhill
wider bar = more leverage to hammer on the bike = better for xc riding
more sweep = more natural hand position = more comfortable on longer rides
more upright = wider hand stance = more open lungs = better breathing

Most of the riders I run into can't do much to improve climbing but train more and better. If you slap a riser/wider/sweep bar on there, you can IMMEDIATELY improve your control when you are going fast and also downhill in general.

I rode flat bars for YEARS and won't go back. Also, those singlespeed 'hipsters' usually aren't spending a lot of time jumping or doing drops so those goofy bars usually don't work for people who do more riding and less pedaling.

I know a few people who have moved away from that hbar trend and back to good 'ol riser bars.

mike

[DKEG]

Just don't ever use barends on a riser bars, that's like wearing white after labor day!
Well Allroy, I know you are the King of Cool and all. But I have a Stumpy hardtail I ride mainly with the wee ones and for hauling the Husqvarna into the woods. I have a set of bar ends on a small riser bar on that. Does that make me uncool? (smart a$$ comments welcome) They are very nice for the extra hand position. Also nice for climbing with 30lbs in the BOB trailer. I usually don't wear white anytime up the year. But I may go and buy a nice pair of white shorts and a lime green polo shirt today.

I do not get the 31.8 bar thickness. I have found 25.4 to be just fine. I think it is for strength. But if you want to mount stuff onto it, it becomes harder. The one's I have seen are tapered and that poses some problems.

[mike a]

I have always ridden with a flat bar. My Jamis hardtail has a 580mm flat bar w/ bar ends. When I got that bike I really enjoyed having a wider bar. The bar on my old bontrager was flat and pretty narrow. Now since I have made my Bonty into a single speed I put a 620mm 1" riser bar on it. It also has a decent about of sweep to it. I love it. When going back and forth I like the wider riser more than the wide flat bar.


Just my.......
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/es/science/lc/OUTREACH/BODresource/images%5C2cents2.jpg

[BikerMiker]

I like 31.8 instead of 26.0 for road bar/stems and 25.4 for mtn bar/stems. At least now I can move stuff back and forth and you don't have to worry about the stem clamp diameter.

I sure am glad we only have 1.5 vs 1.125 instead of 1", 1.125" and 1.25". The internal stuff can be annoying though...

mike

[bolder13]

Just moved back to flat bars. Salsa 660mm wide 11 degree sweep. Had used Jones bars for a few years. Feel like i have better control with the flats. And i like em wide.

Jonathan

[drewdane]

... I'm a singlespeed fixie hipster type.

As opposed to a geared fixie hipster type?

[eloach]

Well Allroy, I know you are the King of Cool and all. But I have a Stumpy hardtail I ride mainly with the wee ones and for hauling the Husqvarna into the woods. I have a set of bar ends on a small riser bar on that. Does that make me uncool? (smart a$$ comments welcome) They are very nice for the extra hand position. Also nice for climbing with 30lbs in the BOB trailer. I usually don't wear white anytime up the year. But I may go and buy a nice pair of white shorts and a lime green polo shirt today.

I do not get the 31.8 bar thickness. I have found 25.4 to be just fine. I think it is for strength. But if you want to mount stuff onto it, it becomes harder. The one's I have seen are tapered and that poses some problems.

Hey - off topic, but how rough of stuff can you ride with the BOB hooked up and not worry about damaging the rear triangle on your bike? We have a BOB for Fountain Head now, but I am really nervous about hooking it to any bike I like on that particular terrain. I would have my Stihl Farm Boss saw, gas and so forth on the BOB.

[BikerMiker]

As some might remember, I have taken a Bob with a 22" Husqy saw, gas, bar oil, snacks, 2G of water, sign-in sheets, etc over drops (~ 1') and 18" logs. I wouldn't worry about the bike. The frame of the Bob is probably less used to that torsional force and is HIGHLY unlikely to be able to torsion through your QR to hurt your frame.

So, I wouldn't worry about it. I've run the heavy-Bob on a Moots and full-suspension bikes. I do like the suspended Bob as it is more stable. I've had that Bob sideways and all whacked-out many, many times.

Don't let it slow you down. At all.

mike

[allroy]

ss ;)

singlespeed, fixie, hipster type

As opposed to a geared fixie hipster type?

[Nick]

Just don't ever use barends on a riser bars, that's like wearing white after labor day!

What about barends on hipster bars (jones)? What is that equivalent to?

Also, is it cool to get 2 pairs of barends and stack them? One barend on the end of another bar end? Think of the hand positions. Whoa. Get some of those barend brake levers and you're set.

[allroy]

a true do-it-all set-up

What about barends on hipster bars (jones)? What is that equivalent to?

Also, is it cool to get 2 pairs of barends and stack them? One barend on the end of another bar end? Think of the hand positions. Whoa. Get some of those barend brake levers and you're set.

[DKEG]

Hey - off topic, but how rough of stuff can you ride with the BOB hooked up and not worry about damaging the rear triangle on your bike? We have a BOB for Fountain Head now, but I am really nervous about hooking it to any bike I like on that particular terrain. I would have my Stihl Farm Boss saw, gas and so forth on the BOB.I don't see much of a problem with the BOB messing up your rear triangle. The connection point is the rear skewer. Make sure the skewer is tight. It popped off once on my first ride. I learned my lesson and it has not happened again. I have taken it to the Watershed and Scheaffer. It has held up well so far. It takes a little while to get use to riding with it. Big logs are the only thing I have had to dismount for. Well....steep loose climbs also. I mounted 2 waterbottle cages to it and I carry gas and bar oil in MSR bottles. I will post up a picture later to show you my set up.

[urbaindk]

As some might remember, I have taken a Bob with a 22"


mike


Even further off topic. Mike, do you still have that burley? The boy's about big enough for it now. I'd be glad to take it off your hands. :)

[BikerMiker]

Yeah. The solo, right?

mike

[urbaindk]

Yeah. The solo, right?

mike

Yep, I just sent you an email.

D.