Be sure to consider the shape of the bar too – some bend straight back, others curve forwards first – which may require experimenting with different stem lengths, depending on whether you also want to keep a similar reach across your cockpit or bring it in. More extreme angles exist, typically ranging from 30-45 degrees, which we highly recommend trying too, depending on the kind of riding you favour. See these diagrams by SQ Labs for a clearer understanding. Broadly speaking, this is the angle at which the ulnar nerve is allowed to have a more natural position – rather than being pinched and constricted as it can be with straight bars, often resulting in numbness over long distances. Given the caveat that the best amount of sweep for you is subject to personal taste, terrain, and how it fits in with the rest of your bike setup and its geometry… generally speaking, we think you’ll really start to notice a difference with handlebars designed around a 15-degree sweep or more, in terms of the pressure it takes off your wrists. Try and borrow handlebars from friends, so you can nail down the best one for you and your setup.
With so many variables around, nothing beats experimenting with different handlebars. Bike fit is a topic in itself and will be saved for another guide. This can have a knock-on effect on the position and angle of your wrists, arms and shoulders.
Bear in mind too that changing handlebars will also affect weight distribution across your contact points, as well as your cranks and front wheel, and your reach, which may require a change in stem length too. Initially, your sense of control and steering will feel markedly different with bars that feature more backsweep. Just remember that muscle memory is a powerful thing, so allow yourself time with a new setup before deciding if it’s the right one for you. By ‘comfort mtb’, we’re referring to handlebars that are suited to riding challenging terrain, be it on trails or dirt roads, rather than comfort bars in a more traditional touring sense, like butterfly or trekking bars favoured by many traditional long-distance tourers.Įxactly what rise, width, and sweep you prefer will likely boil down to personal preference, the terrain you ride, body type, and even your age. After all, a comfortable setup allows you to cover more miles, recover more easily… and enjoy the scenery whist riding.įor those looking at alternatives to their stock handlebars – be it ones with more backsweep, more rise, or more width – we’ve collated our favourite ‘comfort mountain bike bars’, for want of a better term. Whilst this style of handlebar may well suit a trail rider’s needs, they’re not necessarily the best option for big backcountry rides and long distance bikepacking. For the most part, modern mountain bikes come stocked with relatively wide and straight handlebars, typically with a 9-degree sweep or less and a subtle rise at best.