How To Change Your Handlebars

Changing your handlebars isn't a common job, but, it's a simple, good-to-know, maintenance task that you can definitely do at home.

Changing your road bike handlebars isn't something that you'll be doing that often, but it's a super-simple job that you can do at home. Changing your bars is also a great opportunity to check your handlebars and stem out for damage.

All you'll need is a set of allen keys, a tape measure and some electrical tape. If you have one, use a torque wrench.

Once you've changed your handlebars, there are a few more things that you'll need to do to finish the job. These videos should help:

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[MrJupiterLo]

You have the voice of an airline pilot

[ingrid]

GCN, could you guys make a video about using classic round dropbars vs compact dropbars or ergo/anatomics or Randonneur bars or drop-in bars etc, etc.. pros and cons something like that.. would really appreciate if you make one..

[Abraksas]

Well, as for the tip on not tightening your levers too much in case of a crash I found out on monday how true that is. Got a new bike 2 weeks ago and had a crash on monday (not my fault, just sayin :P ) where the bike landed on the lever. First I was afraid the bar was bend out of shape but later when I took a good look I noticed how it was just the lever that was out of position. Thank god for the levers not being too tight.
So yeah, that's a golden tip right there

[pedrokranios]

Right on time GCN. I'm planning to buy a new compact handlebar... I've changed it before but this video helped a lot though. Thank you guys.

[andersbentsen-bhm]

Hi - greetings from Denmark! Great videos - I watch them almost everyday :) Could you possibly make a video on how to choose the right handlebars? I mean comfort vs. light weight ect.? Also - How does one go about finding the right size of handlebars - how to meassure?  I personally are considering a more ergonomic handlebar because i'm struggleling with numb/buzzing fingers.
Cheers!

[WisteriaBerlitz]

I recall having my drop bar slightly off and was lazy to re-adjust. one of my shoulders would hurt consistantly and I finally gave in and re-adjusted it.

[lionelramsal]

Thanks for the tip. I changed my handlebar without spending a penny and learned something at the same time. 👍

[tomhanson]

Does GCN have a video regarding replacing shifters? Going from Sora to 105 for example, what to do and what to avoid when changing the shifters? Thanks

[joesaric]

How width must be the handlebars in relation to the shoulder width ?

[connormurphy]

Make a video showing specifically how to swap your flatbar setup to a dropbar setup.

[Yhigma]

I don't know why I watched this. I already know how to do this. Lol.

[johnhulsey]

Can you do a video about changing out road bike forks and possibly changing out external cup headsets to new forks? Thanks!

[jamiethelegend]

Thanks for the help, I recently got my first road bike. But the drop bars are way to short and impossible to use, im defiantly going to replace them and up until now, I had no idea how. Btw thanks for all the great vids.

[ElliotLemiManila]

GCN is the most awesome bike channel here. Thank you for all your advice and techniques. More power! \m/

[TrondHelgeRolland]

I read somewhere that the "right" way was to have the drops about horizontal/level when you adjust the angle of your handlebar, and then have the levers about vertical. There's probably a lot of personal preferences that goes into it as well though :)

[bonk]

I assume this gets a lot more complicated if you choose to change to internal cable routed handle bars like 3T's Aeronovas ?

[divyagarh]

Can you please make a video on how to mount flat integrated cable handle bar? No videos or information out there.

[jarfur]

Could you do a video on converting from flats to drops

[markrowbottom]

Can you do a video for changing to carbon bars with internal cable routing from Alu external cable bars. Thanks

[darkum]

Hey really nice video this one. Why don't you guys make a video of all d various types of drop handlebars there are? Like different profiles, length, width, etc.