Finding the best road handlebars for your bike can make a significant difference in your riding experience. You can improve your bike fit while also affecting the handling characteristics and stability of your bike by changing the width. Upgrading to carbon can improve aerodynamics, reduce weight, and, depending on your preferences, dampen more vibration before it reaches your hands or increase stiffness to improve handling precision. An upgraded cockpit will benefit even the best road bikes.
Best Mountain Bike Handlebars
Mountain bike handlebars are a crucial component of any mountain bike, as they provide the rider with a place to grip and steer the bike. There are many different types of mountain bike handlebars, each with its own unique features and benefits. Flat handlebars, for example, are a popular choice among cross-country riders and those who prefer a more upright riding position. They are generally wider and more stable than other types of handlebars and provide a good balance of control and comfort. Riser handlebars, on the other hand, are designed for a more relaxed and upright riding position. They are taller and have a higher rise than flat handlebars, which can make them more comfortable for long rides or technical terrain.
Another type of mountain bike handlebar is the downhill handlebar, also known as the DH handlebar. These handlebars are intended for aggressive downhill riding and have a low profile, a minimal amount of rise, and a wide, flat top. They are typically constructed of strong and lightweight materials such as aluminum or carbon fiber and are intended to withstand the rigors of high-speed downhill descents. DH handlebars are not recommended for cross-country or trail riding because they are difficult to control and can cause fatigue on long rides.
Read on to learn more about the best mountain bike handlebars to buy :
Renthal Fatbar 35
Key Features
- Durable
- Reasonably Priced
- Tried and True Design
- 311 Grams Weight
Overview
Renthal’s Fatbar 35 is a traditional aluminum mountain bike handlebar. Renthal made waves in the motorcycle world and applied the same magic to the mountain bike industry. The Fatbar we tested has a modern clamp diameter of 35mm and is a sturdy and responsive addition to any bike’s front end. While the Fatbar is stiff, it does a good job of reducing vibration for an aluminum handlebar. This low-cost model also has a price-to-performance ratio that none of the other bars we tested can match.
Renthal recently added a black colorway to this handlebar to satisfy customers who wanted a more subdued version of their classic super-flashy bronze bars. Renthal offers the Fatbar in clamp diameters of 35mm and 31.8mm, as well as rise options of 10mm, 20mm, 30mm, and 40mm.
The Fatbar is surprisingly light for an aluminum handlebar, but it is still heavier than its carbon competitors. While it is comfortable for an aluminum model, it lacks the vibration dampening capabilities of our top-rated carbon models. Despite this, we believe the Fatbar is a performance upgrade for most riders’ cockpits that is also reasonably priced.
Santa Cruz Carbon 800 Riser Bar
Key Features
- Awesome Balance of Rich Trail Feedback
- Resistance to Numbing Buzz
- Subtle Branding Makes Doesn’t Look Weird
- Lifetime Warranty
Overview
This carbon bar is just in the middle of the range in terms of width and weight at 800mm; the nine-degree backsweep and five-degree upsweep of the shape properly complement this. However, it is only offered in a 20mm rise and 35mm clamp size.
Compared to a comparable alloy bar, a bar like this can save you 70 to 100 grams, and if your bike is another brand, the Santa Cruz logo is still not overt. There is a 760mm version as well, so keep that in mind if you were planning to chop it up quite a bit (it contains cut lines).
These carbon bars are more expensive than usual for Santa Cruz, but they have a classic, comfortable design and a superb, well-controlled, comfortable ride feel that is backed by an extraordinary lifetime warranty.
Deity Components Speedway 35 Carbon Riser
Key Features
- Competitive Height
- Great Vibration Dampening
- High-End Finish and Style
- Modern and Well Thought Out Geometry
Overview
It is uncommon for our testers to attach a new handlebar to their bike and feel at ease right away, but the Deity Speedway Carbon stood out from the competition. This bar topped the charts in our tests thanks to its contemporary geometry, design features, and visual appeal, as well as it’s lightweight but sturdy feel. It was challenging for us to identify any problems with this high-performance handlebar. Its 810mm width, unidirectional carbon layup, and robust 35mm clamp size provide outstanding control and precise handling under all circumstances.
The Speedway Carbon is very comfortable in addition to being precise. Fortunately, Deity has also created the bar with some vibration dampening and forgiveness without sacrificing any control. It only comes in a 35mm clamp, 30mm rise, and 810mm width, and it has a 9mm backsweep and 5mm upsweep. With nine logo color options to fit your preferences or coordinate with other Deity components, the Speedway is available in matte black carbon.
The Speedway is a tad pricey, like all of the carbon fiber bikes we evaluated, especially when compared to its aluminum rivals. The very weight-conscious riders out there may want to go elsewhere because, despite being quite light, it was not the lightest we tested. Additionally, it is only available in the 30mm rise that we tried, which might not be suitable for everyone. Other than that, we thought the Speedway Carbon was fantastic and would make a great choice for anything from DH and enduro to regular trail riding.
Funn Full-On Handlebar
Key Features
- Comes in 31.8mm and 35mm Clamp Diameters
- Very Affordable
- Available in 5 Colors
- 335 Grams Weight
Overview
The Funn Full-On mountain bike handlebars are a great option if you don’t have a lot of money to invest and need to improve or replace your stock handlebar. These bars are of great value and will probably perform better than factory aluminum handlebars found on many complete bike designs because they are made from sturdy, lightweight 6061 aluminum. Because of its ample stiffness, the Full-On offers excellent control while yet performing a reasonable job of muffling some trail sensation. Our test bar featured an acceptable and comfortable 5.5mm upsweep and 8mm backsweep that were quite conventional.
It has clamp diameters of 31.8mm (tested) and 35mm, widths of 785mm and 810mm (31.8mm only), and rise options of 30mm, 15mm (tested), and 7mm. It comes in 5 anodized colors: Black, Silver, Orange, Red, and Blue, which will suit anyone wishing to bling up their bike a little.
We found it difficult to criticize the Full-On bars for their minor flaws, given their incredibly low pricing. As an aluminum model, they weigh 335 grams for our 785mm wide, 15mm rise test bar, making them slightly heavier than their carbon counterparts. The bar we tested does a good job of dampening some vibration, but it can’t quite match the more expensive aluminum and carbon ones in this area. Although there are many color choices, the logo visuals are quite loud and might not be to everyone’s taste. Beyond those issues, we don’t think you could find a finer handlebar for the money.
Race Face Next R 35 Carbon
Key Features
- Stiff and Responsive
- Lightweight
- Comes in 3 Rise Options and 6 Different Colors
- 215 Grams Weight
Overview
One of the most well-known brands in the bike component industry is Race Face, and their Next R 35 Carbon handlebar is outstanding and topped our charts for its lightweight. It is the lightest bar we tested, weighing only 215 grams, and is a definite method to lighten up your bike. The 35mm bore size creates a firm clamp interface despite the Next R’s lightweight, and it offers good leverage and control. In order to keep your hands feeling fresh, it also does a good job of muzzling some high-frequency vibration.
It has an 800mm width, an 8-degree backsweep, and a 5-degree upsweep and is made with a unidirectional carbon layup. For the ideal bike fit, Race Face provides it in 10mm, 20mm, and 35mm rise choices. The matte clear coat has a sophisticated appearance and is available in six logo color variations to give your vehicle some personality.
Even though we adored the Next R handlebar, it couldn’t quite match the vibration absorption of our top-rated bars. Because of its small weight and excellent performance, it is also one of the priciest handlebars we evaluated. Having saying that, the Next R is a terrific method to lighten up your bike while maintaining a high level of control.
Specialized Traverse SL
Key Features
- Stiff for Great Precision
- Light But Tough
- Comfortable on Rough Trails
- Subtle Branding
Overview
These are a good weight for 800mm bars at just under 230g, and they are still durable enough for heavy-duty riding. Specialized even refers to these as “downhill tough.” They are also noticeably stiff, like many 35mm clamp carbon bars, but the carbon is tuned extremely well; they are powerful and precise without being unpleasant, especially on rocky trails.
Although the single 30mm rise is less universal, especially if you’re on huge wheels with big travel, the six degree upsweep and eight degree backsweep create a traditional form that will work for most riders. Despite being mass-produced, our tester thought it unfortunate that the pricing is comparable to hand-crafted carbon bars. Other than that, there isn’t anything to complain about.
ENVE M6 MTB
Key Features
- Carbon Material
- Happy Medium Between Stiffness and Comfort
- 200g Weight
- Best Carbon Bar Available
Overview
From the cross-country-focused M5 up to the robust, downhill-ready M9, ENVE produces a variety of carbon bars, each with a layup tailored to a particular riding purpose. The M6 is one step up from XC and designed with trail riding in mind.
It has a 31.8mm clamp and is 780mm broad with cut lines that are down to 740mm; if you want a 35mm clamp diameter, you must use the M7. The M6 also has a fairly standard nine degree backsweep and five degree upsweep, as well as a usual 25mm rise or a somewhat flat 7.5mm rise.
ENVE advises against cutting these any thinner than 740mm since doing so will make them too stiff—and they are currently quite rigid—but they are also sufficiently compliant to provide a good deal of comfort. One of the best trail bars available is the M6, despite its high price.
Final Words
In conclusion, the best mountain bike handlebars for you will be determined by your riding style, preferences, and the terrain you ride on. Flat handlebars are ideal for cross-country riding and riders who prefer a more upright riding position, whereas riser handlebars are ideal for a more relaxed and upright riding position. Downhill handlebars, also known as DH handlebars, are intended for aggressive downhill riding and are not appropriate for cross-country or trail riding. It is critical to select handlebars that are comfortable, strong, and appropriate for the type of riding you do. Overall, the best mountain bike handlebars will offer a good balance of control, comfort, and performance for your specific needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different types of mountain bike handlebars?
The three main types of mountain bike handlebars are flat handlebars, riser handlebars, and downhill handlebars. Flat handlebars are wide and stable and provide a good balance of control and comfort. Riser handlebars are taller and have a higher rise, and are ideal for a more relaxed and upright riding position. Downhill handlebars, or DH handlebars, are low-profile and designed for aggressive downhill riding.
What materials are mountain bike handlebars made of?
Mountain bike handlebars can be made of a variety of materials, including aluminum, steel, carbon fiber, and titanium. Aluminum handlebars are lightweight and durable but may not be as strong as steel or titanium. Steel handlebars are heavier but are very strong and can withstand a lot of abuse. Carbon fiber handlebars are lightweight and strong but may be more expensive than other materials. Titanium handlebars are strong, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant but can be very expensive.
How do I choose the right width of mountain bike handlebars?
The width of mountain bike handlebars is a personal preference and can depend on the rider’s body size, riding style, and the type of terrain they ride on. A wider handlebar may provide more stability but may also be more difficult to maneuver. A narrower handlebar may be more agile but may not be as stable. It is generally best to try out different widths and see what feels the most comfortable and controlled for you.
How do I install mountain bike handlebars?
To install mountain bike handlebars, you will need a few basic tools, including an allen wrench or torque wrench, a bike stand or workbench, and possibly a stem expander or spacer. First, loosen the bolt that holds the stem to the fork. Then, remove the stem from the fork, being careful not to damage the steerer tube. Next, slide the new handlebars into the stem and align them with the front wheel. Finally, tighten the bolt on the stem to secure the handlebars in place. Make sure to tighten the bolt to the manufacturer’s recommended torque to prevent the handlebars from slipping or becoming loose.