Not sure if you’ve noticed, but wider bars on XC and All Mountain Bikes are a huge hit. Personally I dig the wider bars because I feel that I have more leverage which equals control over the bike. I asked few guys to see what they think of wider bars…
The Animal
Wider bars are not really the best for everyone, but I do prefer them. One major advantage is climbing out of the saddle geared or single, throwing the bike side to side and pulling up on the bars to push the pedals down. Another reason wide bars work for me is that I am able to breath like a horse again while climbing, with shorter bars I feel cramped up, not stretched out. One drawback to wide bars is smacking other handle bars while passing on tight single track.
Quinton “Q” Spaulding-Pro DH Racer/Team Director for KHS Bicycle Factory Team.
Wider bars create more leverage over the front end of the bike (Wheel and Fork), which in turn gives your more steering power, enabling you to be more precise with your steering and this causes less fatigue overall. They also put your elbows in a better attack position, and open your lungs just a little more to enhance breathing. Wider bars are the way to go!!!
Thanks,
Q.
So for your next upgrade, you may want to consider wider bars….how wide? The wider the better…at least 28″
I agree w/he Animal and Quinton. On my SS my bars are 30.25″… it’s perfect when you are trying to hammer up a climb.
Same w/my DH bike, sometime this year I changed to a wider bar. I dont recall the length, but the are much wider than the norm.