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Guide to Buying: Handlebars & Stems
In a nutshell
Bike stems and bike handlebars are two very important features, without which you would have a pretty tough
time doing anything on your bike! Choosing the right (or wrong) type of handlebars can have a huge effect on
the way you ride, how comfortable you will be as well as your overall performance in both the long and the
short-term. To get better tips and information on choosing the best type of stem and handlebars for your
bike, read our helpful buying guide.
What are bike stems?
The stem is a simple connection between your fork’s steerer and your handlebars, and there are a range of
options out there. Whether you want an expensive unit to lower the weight of your bike, or want to use the
stem to alter your riding position, at Evans Cycles we stock a wide range of road bike stems and mountain
bike stem options.
Road bike stems VS mountain bike stems
Road bike stems are available in lengths from as little as 60mm up to a very
long 130mm and beyond. Aside from length, you’ll also find that stems are available in a range of different
angles, effectively altering the height of your handlebars. The same is true for
mountain bike stems, except they are available in lengths much shorter
than road stems, and can be much tougher and chunkier to cope with the forces they’ll have to endure.
If your bike doesn't feel quite as you'd like it (perhaps it feels a little short so you feel cramped when
riding, or a little too long so you feel stretched) then a change in stem is a very cost effective way to
improve things. Or perhaps you feel too upright when riding your road bike – you could try a road bike stem
with less of an upward angle (even switching to a negative drop or a stem that flips between a positive and
negative rise).
What are bike stems made of?
Stems range from standard simple aluminium units up to expensive, stiff and lightweight carbon exotica, and
come in a range of shapes and styles. We'd always recommend finding the ideal shape for you and the riding
you do.
What should I look for when choosing road bike handlebars?
When choosing road bike handlebars, your first consideration should be getting the correct width. Try and
match the width of the bars to the width of your shoulders. Bars vary in widths between narrow (around
36cm), to a very wide 46cm.
Once you've decided on the width, shape is the next consideration. Modern race bars have a myriad of curves,
drops and reaches. The 'classic' road bar has a drop (the curved section) that curves in a constant radius.
The shape offers plenty of positions when riding low down in the drop as the constant curve doesn't place
your hands in one position.
The next is the 'Ergo' shape, like on the Pro
Ergo bars, which changes the curve of the drop
into a
stepped,
almost pistol-grip like shape to provide a set hand position wide riding in the drops. The size of drop
itself varies between the 'classic' drop, usually around 150mm, and the latest 'Compact' designs.
How does the ‘drop’ affect my riding style?
A traditional or classic drop, like on the Zipp Service Course SL Traditional means
you'll be
lower when
riding in it and lower means more aerodynamic so in theory, faster. The downside of a classic deep drop is
that if you struggle to stay in the drops for long periods of time, that aero advantage will be lost.
The newer compact design reduces the drop to around 125mm (it changes between brands and designs) by
effectively lowering the amount of drop, therefore bringing it closer to you. That makes it much more
comfortable for most people, and means you'll spend more time down in the drops and although it gives less
of an aero advantage, you can ride lower for longer, meaning a net-gain.
What are road handlebars made of?
Handlebars are available in both aluminium and carbon-fibre, alloy bars are cheaper and a little heavier.
Opting for a lightweight carbon-fibre bar will reduce overall weight but for the rigours of racing, most
professionals still opt for aluminium thanks to its security in the event of a crash. That's not to say an
alloy bar is stronger than carbon, but just that it’s easy to identify damage on an aluminium bar, as it
will dent rather than snap. Carbon damage can be hidden and not so easy to spot.
Choosing the best mountain bike handlebars can seem tricky, as there are many different styles, materials and
sizes to choose from. This guide should help demystify the world of MTB handlebars and help you get the best
set for your needs.
How can I choose the best mountain bike handlebars?
The first step is to decide which will suit the style of riding that you do. Downhill bike
handlebars need to
be extra strong to put up with harsh landings and riding over rough ground at high speed. Cross-country bars
have a greater emphasis on low weight, while all-mountain and enduro handlebars need to provide a balance of
both.
Bars can be made from any number of materials. Aluminium is the most common and also cost effective, but
carbon-fibre is now popular as it is lighter, though more expensive. Carbon bars also help mute vibration
and tend to be much stronger for the same weight. They will break rather than bend in a crash, so require
careful inspection after any accident - in common with any component.
You also need to have the correct diameter of bar to suit your stem. The most common diameter is 31.8mm, but
older bars can be 25.4mm and there's even an oversize 35mm standard being introduced by Race
Face that
promises even greater strength and stiffness.
Which handlebar width should I choose?
Mountain bike handlebars come in a wide variety of widths. It's down to personal preference but longer travel
bikes tend to need wider handlebars that allow you to exert more leverage, helping force the bike to corner
or to keep it heading straight on rough ground. Downhill bars can be up to a huge 800mm wide but are
commonly around 780-760mm. The downsides to wide bars are that smaller riders can feel very stretched.
You're also more likely to clip trees and other obstacles. Most bars have guides that allow you cut them
down to suit you.
For trail riding, a width around 740mm is popular. There are numerous options, such as the Race Face Chester
bars or lightweight carbon All Mountain bars. Cross-country riders tend to use slightly narrower bars, from
680mm up to around 720mm. The lower width allows them to be lighter, as they don't need to cope with such
large bending forces.
What is ‘rise’ on a handlebar?
It's also important to get the correct rise. Rise is how far the tips of the bar sit above the centre clamp
section and is generally given along with the width, such as “730x15mm”, meaning 730mm wide with a rise of
15mm. Mountain bikes with 29in wheels have higher front ends, so a low rise or even flat bar will make it
easier to weight the front wheel in corners.
What is different about handlebars for Triathlons/TTs?
The triathlon or time trial (TT) bar is an aerodynamic aid to steering used by time trial specialists and
triathlon riders. Triathlon handlebars can be single units designed specifically for time trial or triathlon
bikes or a combination of a base-bar (an aerodynamically-shaped wing-bar that extensions can be
bolted
onto). They can also be the simplest pair of clip-on extensions, like the Bontrager Race X
Aerobar clip-ons,
which can be added to any road bike to give you an aerodynamic hand position.
What is the most important component of a triathlon handlebar set-up?
The extensions are the most important component. They comprise of two long tube sections that extend far out
in front of the handlebars, positioned either side of the stem. When riding on these extensions, your
position on the bike is lower and narrower when viewed from the front. This gives you a massive aerodynamic
advantage, perfect for when racing against the clock.
A full triathlon handlebar bar set-up requires dedicated brake levers and gear shifters so you can safely
operate both gears and brakes when in the aero position. The best time trial handlebar setups can feature
fully integrated bars which include brake levers as part of the package. For combinations of base bars and
extensions or simple clip-on bar setups, you will have to move from the extension position to operate the
controls. Remember to factor in the additional cost of the controls when buying a system.
