Suspension travel, axle widths or wheel size: there is almost no part of the mountain bike that has not grown in recent years. The same applies to handlebar width. In the past, MTB handlebars were rarely wider than 600 mm. However, the industry and bikers out there have learnt a thing or two, and we have now reached an average handlebar width of 720 to 760 mm.
Of course, there are still outliers at the top and bottom. But handlebars around 700 millimetres are currently standard, from race hardtails to all-mountain bikes. That's a good thing. After all, the handlebars are the lever on which the rider leans and through which the steering impulses are transmitted to the bike.
Wide handlebars are particularly advantageous in technical terrain. It can only make sense to go a little narrower on quite narrow downhill sections through dense forest. This is because the width provides safety and control for beginners as well as for advanced riders with good riding technique.
How wide should my MTB handlebars be?
The width of the handlebars should also be adapted to the rider's stature. In other words, you should choose the handlebars based on your own shoulder width. It should be wide enough to prevent your wrists from buckling when gripping. Handlebars that are too wide become unwieldy and require more physical effort than is sensible. In addition, handlebars that are too wide often cause pain in the wrists as they are bent too much.
The other extreme is MTB handlebars that are too narrow. They constrict the chest area and prevent you from being able to breathe freely. In addition, bike control suffers in technical terrain with handlebars that are too narrow. Only real giants or downhill racers need MTB handlebars over 800 mm. However, petite women often also get on well with handlebars from 680 mm.
So our tip: If in doubt, take a slightly wider handlebar and try out different grip widths at your leisure. You can usually still shorten the handlebars.
Rise & backsweep: important key figures for MTB handlebars
Handlebars differ greatly in terms of their shape and bends. Backsweep refers to the bend to the rear. This backsweep affects the riding position and is a matter of taste. Because one biker mainly rides on flat trails and usually has his arms almost stretched out, while another focusses on downhills and therefore has a completely different ideal position.
Rise is the height of the handlebar ends in relation to the stem. Handlebars with more "rise" place the hands upwards. The result: you sit more upright and put more weight on the saddle. Riser bars are very popular and are available in every conceivable rise. Enduro bikers in particular often swear by MTB handlebars with a lot of rise. Flat bars, on the other hand, are very popular with sporty bikers. They are particularly useful on 29-inch bikes to keep the front and cockpit as low as possible.
