"Are there already special handlebars for e-bikes?" A certain amount of malice was clearly evident in the comment that echoed through the corridor of our editorial offices. In fact, more and more manufacturers of add-on parts such as handlebars and stems are advertising specifically designed products. Does this make sense, or is it pure marketing? Are the requirements for handlebars mounted on an e-mountainbike higher than for handlebars on a non-motorised bike?
There are good arguments in favour of this: The motor allows the rider to ride more metres uphill and therefore downhill during the day, which adds up to more stress. The second fact is that e-MTBs are heavier and, in the event of a fall, the handlebars hit obstacles with greater force and exert more energy. And: thanks to e-assistance, less experienced and heavier riders are increasingly able to enjoy long descents.
"We know from real-life data collection that an inexperienced rider who sits on the bike like a wet sack transfers higher forces into the bike than a professional who sits smoothly on the bike," explains e-bike and bicycle expert Dirk Zedler.
Of course, not every handlebar on every e-MTB is subjected to greater stress per se. However, the likelihood of handlebars and stems suffering a critical level of stress increases. The current test by our sister magazine BIKE shows that the horror scenario of breaking handlebars is not a relic from times long past. Six out of 21 handlebar/stem units tested were damaged at an early stage and received a rating of weak or even poor. In practice, this can pose a considerable health risk. Especially with intensive use - which generally occurs more frequently and faster with an e-MTB than with a non-motorised bike. To date, there is no standardised standard for when a handlebar or stem can be called e-bike-compatible.
In our test, we wanted to find out which cockpits can withstand tough E-MTB use in the long term without complaint. You can find all the data, ratings and scores as a PDF in the download area below.
- Beast Components - MTB Riser 25 / Syntace Megaforce 2
- Newmen - Advanced 318.20 / Evolution 318.4
- Race Face - Next SL / Turbine R
- SQlab - 30X 12° low / 80X aluminium
- Syntace - Vector Carb. Superlight / Megaforce 3
- Truvativ - Descendant Carbon DH / Descendant
