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Post by admin on Sept 9, 2004 20:30:22 GMT -5
Does anyone know if there is any benefit to using a higher stem and flat handlebars vs lower stem + riser bars?
Does the bend in the bars give any sort of technical advantage, or does it strictly serve the purpose of raising the bar position?
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Post by Madalene on Sept 10, 2004 9:13:54 GMT -5
I wondered the same thing. Here are two opinions on it. I think that as long as you already have a correctly riding position (no lower back prob's) it should make no difference. On a side note, risers bars complicate handle-bar lighting systems, if you have any night riding intentions. >Flat vs. Riser The advantage to riser bars is the position that it places the rider in. Riser bars put the rider in a more upright position and generally are 2-3 inches wider. By raising the hand position, some of the rider's weight is transferred back. Most people feel more comfortable descending in this position. The wider bars also create a feeling of stability (longer lever means less steering effort at the grip). The disadvantages of a riser bar are weight, width, and also position. Generally these bars are heavier than straight bars. When the weight is transferred to the rear of the bike, steep climbing can become tricky. As weight is removed from the front of the bike, there is a tendency for the front wheel to want to lift, and wander all over the trail. In most cases this can be countered by transferring weight forward (leaning further forward) while climbing . >Flat vs. Riser Flat bars and riser handlebars offer no advantage over each other providing that your position over the bike is correct. The only exceptions would be that tall riders can use a smaller, lighter, less flexible stem and a riser handlebar to obtain the perfect riding position; and short riders can more easily obtain the perfect position using flat bars and a zero-rise stem. There are other factors that come into play--but the reality for the rest of us, is that our choice to run flat or riser bars is purely a fashion statement. www.mbaction.com |
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Post by admin on Sept 10, 2004 14:53:55 GMT -5
Interesting. I never even considered the lighting issue - an excellent point.
Some suggestions I've gotten are to cut the bars shorter, but the problem with that is I can't move my brake levers/shifters in any further cause of the bend in the bars, so I might have to get a narrower riser bar, or buy both a stem and handlebars (more money, ugh!). Looks like that's probably the best way to go though. I'll probably end up trying a flat bar, and if it's too low for me, getting a slightly higher rise stem.
Buying stuff is always exciting!
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Post by Madalene on Sept 10, 2004 16:34:55 GMT -5
THat would be my choice. I don't like how wide they have to be (riser bars).
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Post by stefan on Sept 12, 2004 0:52:52 GMT -5
if you don't already have a riser bar get one. Flat bars suck and give you very little control compared to riser bars. Also, keep you bars wide DON"T CUT THEM SHORT. If you cut them short then you'll lose valuable stability.
A wide riser bar will give you amazing control over everything and help open up your chest cavity.
Riser bars will also help you stomp drops, dial in new tricks and jump higher.
stefan
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Post by admin on Sept 12, 2004 10:32:48 GMT -5
But does the benefit of the riser bar come from a different bar position, or does it come just from the fact that there's a bend in the bar. Cause if I get a higher rise, and longer stem, with a flat bar - I can get the exact same position that a riser bar would give me.
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