MTB (flat) bars setup

Correctly set up bars provide more comfortable ride and better control of the bicycle, as well as safer braking. Common error is setting up brake levers to be parallel to the ground.

This article doesn’t address mechanical part of bar adjustment. Procedures and tools needed to change bar height and angle are explained in this post:
How to adjust bicycle handlebar angle and height.

Table Of Contents (T.O.C.):

1. Handlebar width
2. Handlebar height
3. Handlebar angle
4. Brake levers
   4.1. Distance from the grips
   4.2. Angle
   4.3. Reach
5. Shifter levers
6. Bar ends

1. Handlebar width

There is a modern trend of wider and wider bars. Up to a point they improve control and leverage on rough terrain. The trade-off can be difficulty getting through narrow gaps (closely-spaced trees, or cars for example), or, if the bars are way too wide, a bit more stress on the chest and back muscles and a bit harder control of the bike (if hands are too far stretched otwards).

A good starting point, middle ground, is with arms stretched out at about 45 degree angle, the forearms should be parallel to the bike forward axis. Like in the picture below:

New bars are made to be cut down to size. Of course, before cutting, do measure twice and take a few longer rides to be sure – no way back after cutting.

– T.O.C. –

2. Handlebar height

Bars set lower than the saddle height provide more weight on the front wheel, improving traction and handling. For more relaxed riding, people prefer bars to be a bit higher than the saddle height. Good starting point are bars level with the saddle height.

Then it’s up to personal preference. Lower bars a bit and see if it feels better. If it does, go even lower. If it feels worse, go a step higher. Until a personal favourite position is discovered.

– T.O.C. –

3. Handlebar angle

Modern road bars usually have a sweep in both height and angle. Setup of angle is similar to the setup of height: start from the middle and see if going either way gives a better feel.

– T.O.C. –

4. Brake levers

Levers have three adjustments:

• distance from the grips
• angle
• reach

When a bicycle comes from the store, brake levers are usually put almost parallel to the ground and slammed to the inboard of the grips.

Since modern brakes are easily operated with two, or just one finger, levers should be moved inward, so that the best leverage is achieved with just one finger. Angle should be such that they naturally extend the hand position when holding the bars.

– T.O.C. –

4.1. Distance from the grips

– T.O.C. –

4.2. Angle

Exact angle depends on the hand position. Elbows should be slightly bent, with a sitting position used most often when riding. A good starting point is about 45 degree angle.

– T.O.C. –

4.3. Reach

– T.O.C. –

5. Shifter levers

Setup similar to brake levers, except here the middle ground is 45 degrees up. Optimal position is one that allows both levers to be operated without rotating, or twisting hands, throughout the full range of their movement. In case shifter levers can’t be mounted without removing brake levers first, note the position of brake levers determined in section 4 of this article.

Levers are set so they are easily accessible and then it should be checked whether their movement when pushed/pulled is obstructed by brake levers. Move them away from brake levers if necessary, rotate them up/down to allow free motion. Here, the optimal reach is limited by free movement. It is better if levers are a bit less perfectly placed, than that they can’t be operated normally. This problem is more likely to occur if brake and shifter levers aren’t from the same series of the same manufacturer.

With SRAM grip shift model, make sure that full range of gears can be achieved in a single “sweep” of the hand.

– T.O.C. –

6. Bar ends

Don’t. DON’T! Seriously.  🙂

In old days when bars were flat and narrow, bar ends provided better leverage for climbing (and an extra hand position). Even then it was possible to catch branch, tree, or another cyclist. Rider could injure themselves on bar ends in case of a fall. That’s why modern MTBs are better off without them. Good riddance.

But if you must…

– T.O.C. –

Author

Relja Novović

Relja is an avid cyclist, a pretty good bike mechanic, and a professional computer systems administrator – with decades of experience in both those fields (computers and bikes 🙂 ). Relja Novović’s credentials and a short biography