MTB Handlebars: What Width Is Right For You?

Finding the perfect handlebar width is no easy task. What works for one, might feel completely awkward to another. While much of it revolves around height, shoulder width, and overall comfort, the type of riding you do also plays a key factor. As the lines continue to be blurred between bike categories, we are starting to see more riders spec their trail bikes with wide bars in the pursuit of added stability and control. In this video, we go in depth on what to consider when purchasing or cutting your mountain bike bars. The ideal bar width can make all the difference. Check it out!

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[isaidgooddaysir]

I have a Specialized bar from 2002. It's called the "Specialized Wide Boy". - It's 640mm wide. :D

[Specializedfabu]

I cant go riding anymore, my Bar cant pass my door.

[canyoneagle]

XC - 640mm with 45 degree sweep is my sweet spot. 6'2, 190 lbs, fully rigid 29er on 2.6-2.8 rubber. Works for me. I came from the 80's super narrow + bar end era, where I spent most of my time on the barends. So 640 feels wide to me, but works.
I don't feel right on the hyper wide albatross bars of today - just a personal preference thing, I guess.

[thStreet]

760mm for life! Agree with your take on having it comfortable and consistent across all bikes you own.

[johndougan]

I'm 5 ft 7 in and bought first mtb since a Trek I owned in early 90's. I was surprised how wide the bars were on the new bike - 780mm with 40mm stem. I instantly wanted to cut them down about 60mm but tried out and quite liked it. Set my grips and controls inwards to test a compromise 760mm as lot of trees over here in Scotland where I am. This vid has helped me decide to proceed with caution with the sawblade haha

[pympin]

i say always buy a bar a bit longer than what you think you want and try it for a while and try to get used to it ... and if it still feels too wide after a while then cut it

[Travelakad]

My XC bike came with a 720mm bar and an 80mm stem. I'm 5'9" and don't feel too good on it. Swapped it with a 660mm straight bar. It's very narrow compared to today's standards, but I never felt better.

[derbersdiscoveries]

800 with ESI Chunky grips, feel like the Olympic Bar to bench press with. I also have a fat ebike so, it's proportioned. Rides great at high speed.

[peddler]

I started mountain biking in the nineties and still like a narrow bar, especially in trees (and cactus in Baja). My carbon hardtail is a little extreme at 580 but I never feel I need more. It's still 160 mm wider than my road bike. On a trail bike, I use 700 or so. 760 or 800 results in mashed or thorn-filled knuckles.

[olliew]

Currently running 780 fatbars but have the grips extended over the ends so closer to 800 and they feel perfect 👍

[WalterSmolenski]

My bars are 760 stock. I am considering cutting to 740 because in the push-up test my comfort/power arm width is at 740 for doing pushups. I also live in a very tree infested trails area and its easy to clip trees. My height is 5"6" and general mountain riding.

[peterlang]

I ride a 680 bar. It’s on my XC bike, which I use for street trials. I’m sticking with that width because it’s fairly easy to bail during an endo.

[joeldunsdon]

That's a darn informative video. Although nobody ever seems to mention how bar width effects pulling the front end of the bike up, I find it is pretty darn easier and more poppy with a narrow(er) bar.

[hawkgx]

I'm 5' 8" and started riding MTB about 6 years ago with a 720mm bar on my hardtail. I bought a full-squish bike that was spec'd with something like a 685mm bar (I have NO idea why that narrow). When I replaced that FS bike last year, the new bike was spec'd with a 785mm bar. Really liked the stability and leverage it gave me. Felt like I could turn the bike more quickly and with a lot less effort. Liked it so much I put a 785mm bar on my hardtail to keep things consistent. First ride on the hardtail with the wider bars I felt an immediate difference in the handling. I could see possibly trying a 760mm bar someday (I've had a few bar strikes on our narrow, tree-lined trails in the Midwest) but I'm a fan of the wider bars for sure.

[danieljones]

I'm running 740s and just ordered some 780s thanks for the advice!!!

[johnlewis]

That "trees everywhere vid!"... Brilliant additional humour! Bravo! ha ha

[Sebastianbartledoo]

"pretty darn" count is at 22, lets beat it next vid

[joseharbour]

I'm riding the 780mm fatbar carbon with 20mm rise and I'm very happy with it

[MAGAIVER]

710mm wide on a 100mm stem is my favorite setup at the moment, but then again my rides are not technical at all, they are long, fast, with lots of punchy climbs and I ride a fully rigid 29er.

[MTBFlowRider]

I'm riding 760 and found those fit the best for my height and size. I have tried 780 and 800 before, though they felt fine but 760 fit the best for ME because I'm around 5'10-5'9.