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I'm looking at the SQ Lab mountain bike handle bar with either a 12 or 16 degree back sweep to ease some hand and wrist pain. Current bar is a One Up with 8 degree back sweep. Going with more will in effect shorten the reach/hand position relative to the seat, which may mean a longer stem. Does anyone have experience with increasing back sweep? Did you change your stem length? How do you like more back sweep?
That much sweep is going to make a big adjustment to your effective reach.
Like 15mm difference with the 12* and 25mm with the 16*
Here,s a geometry calc site that allows you to input bar sweep and every thing else from grip length to chamois thickness….
https://madscientistmtb.com/bike-geometry-compare/
Do it. Don’t change your stem until you spend time on your bike with the new bars. More sweep is more ergonomic and you might like being a bit more upright, it’ll take pressure off your hand and the sweep will help with your wrist issues.Quote:
Originally Posted by natebob
I use Jones Hbars on my mtb and would never go back to a straighter bar. Try the new bars so they are tilted down a little
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9-12 for mnt bike for me works well. I leave the stem alone, but lenghten after a ride or if needed
only change one thing at a time
Back in the day I bought 3 different bars with 3 different sweeps, just trying them in my shop sitting on the bike without permenantly instaling them, i supose I didnt feel much difference cuz i took them all back
in the past I have changed stems to deal with reach by getting the bars higher & closer and i know i feel that
a large 5.5 yeti definalty felt long so I got the medium and its perfect, medium bullit is also perfect right off the show room floor the new geo feels good so i didnt change anything
YMMV
This is very pertinent informationQuote:
Originally Posted by XXX-er
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16 seems like a lot of sweep. Narrow shoulder width can be more ergo with more sweep but 16 still seems like overkill.
Id never buy a bar to lengthen or shorten reach. If the added sweep works for you i adjust to the preferred reach after you found your bar with a reach adjust headset or maybe 3-5 mm on/off a stem
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Whoa, that is some next level bike geeking right there. Thanks, I'll have fun playing around with that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dee Hubbs
Agreed, 16 does seem like a lot. I'm not wanting to change bar to adjust reach, just get my wrists at a better angle. If I like it I'll probably get a longer stem to maintain the same reach I have now.Quote:
Originally Posted by grinch
Makes sense. Just thought of another possible factor. They talk about the scottish ews riders style of tucking their elbows in riding through the tight trees they have. Maybe its possible more sweep would help for someone with that style. Personal preference is always a factorQuote:
Originally Posted by natebob
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I have wide shoulders so maybe I don't notice sweep or width for that matter cuz I took a grip off when I was wrenching and I'm running 800mm, but I do notice reach
The current style of riding with your elbows out like wings isn’t ergonomic at all. You also have more power and stability with your arms closer to your torsoQuote:
Originally Posted by grinch
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I think the current elbows out style is partly a result of bars being too straight. A bar with less back sweep seems to encourage elbows out. Maybe the wider bar trend has contributed to this style too.Quote:
Originally Posted by MagnificentUnicorn
not ever body is down with that riding position but i like it, in attack position/ elbows out/ weight over the front wheel
BingoQuote:
Originally Posted by natebob
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I thought itd be the opposite. Like bench press. Easier to press more weight with open grip than closed grip. Too wide you lose arm travel for eating up big holes. Should get the most arm absorption possible if grips are set at shoulder width. I like a little wider than shoulder width for a wider platform but not too wide that i cant soke up trail hits where i need a lot of arm bendQuote:
Originally Posted by MagnificentUnicorn
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You just agreed with me. Closer to the body equals shoulder width. Think of it this way, is it easier to do a push up with your arms way out to the side or shoulder width?Quote:
Originally Posted by grinch
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Yes youre right we're getting at the same point it seems. Wider grip helps with keeping the bar straight. Its a balance between eating up holes straight on , where shoulder width allows the most arm flexion, and a bit wider to keep from controlling the steering. Slower speeds the wider bar probably has more benefits. Pinned through deep holes a wide bar still helps but arm flexion has to be factored moreQuote:
Originally Posted by MagnificentUnicorn
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I've upgraded the bar/stem on my pedal bike from the stock Santa Cruz low rise(780)/55 stem to the PNW Range bar which is 800x35rise/10sweep/35x0stem. The bar is a 31.8. This setup has made a huge change and benefit for me as well as my wife who converted to same. Better hand position, softer bar, taller and wider.
As far as what I think re bar width, bent elbows and being more upright, bent elbows do two things; bent elbows open chest up for easier breathing and slows steering down so turning is a combo of body position, lean and not turning the bar. WTBS, I have friends who are going to shorter 150 rise bar and seem to do better doing technical SB's and rocks......
Better breathing with elbows out? Laughing my ass off. Link to study showing this?
Turning has always been about body position, lean and not turning the bar. It’s how bicycles work and what makes them amazing.
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I think he and i meant addition leverage so the bars dont get torn out of your hands. Ruts and corners can do that.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grinch
Really? It’s not a 750 dual sport. You think 50-100mm makes a significant difference on a bicycle? The increased power of keeping your limbs closer to your body would be far greater than any advantage a longer bar would provide.
What other sports gain a power advantage by having your limbs farther away from your core? Roughly shoulder width is optimal, arms or legs.
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You think it doesn't?Quote:
Originally Posted by MagnificentUnicorn
No. Caveat, once you get much past shoulder width. Beyond perceived leverage advantage why do you think it does?Quote:
Originally Posted by El Chupacabra
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Gonna fire up the ine hitter, pound a few laps on the eeb and find out. We all should.
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So, when you run a 800 bar and a 35 stem/10 sweep, what do you think it does to your elbows? It increases the bend. Advantages? more easy to push yourself back rolling rocks, leverage and yes it opens your lungs for easier breathing. So do a little test, hug yourself and breath and then open your arms and breath, what is easier?Quote:
Originally Posted by MagnificentUnicorn
Anyway, you fancy yourself as some sort of expert, show us your bar set up. Here is mine
Attachment 418669
“Roughly shoulder width” doesn’t seem to take into account the humerus.Quote:
Originally Posted by MagnificentUnicorn
Wider than shoulder width bars help create leverage over the bike that’s bouncing off terrain beneath the rider and helps amplify rider input and pressure into the bike.
Are too many people riding bars that are too wide? Yep.
Are too many people giving advice based on their own style of riding, personal ROM, local terrain and bike fit? Also yes.
Would I ride Jones H bar on a touring bike? Yes.
Would I ever in a million years put an H bar on my everyday trail bike or enduro bike? Fuck no.
YMMV.
As for the OP, it’s usually good to try one variable at a time. A reach adjustment is probably best and most cheaply achieved with a stem swap. If your wrists are bothering you then maybe more backsweep would help. Both my wrists are fairly effed, but I find that rolling my bars a touch more forward than most helps my situation- makes it easier to stabilize. (Riding OneUp bars cut to 770).
YMMV
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Is backsweep 2022’s chain queso??
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Have you tried something like a Jones bar on an mtb?Quote:
Originally Posted by joetron
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Uh ok. How about hang your arms at your sides and bend your elbows, now lift your arms out to the side and bend your elbows. Which one lets you breathe better. Who hugs themself while riding. I fancy myself an expert? I’m talking about physics and basic athletic position.Quote:
Originally Posted by Quadzilla
Again name another sport where you gain power by having your limbs abducted from your body.
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....Attachment 418699
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Mag Unicorn, I've got an old On One Mary bar with a lot of sweep, IIRC 640mm width. Wanna buy it?
Absolutely not, because they don’t fit my needs for style of riding and the terrain I ride, but I’m stoked that they fit your needs and you’ve figured that out.Quote:
Originally Posted by MagnificentUnicorn
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I think modern enduro bike design from the likes of Yeti or Santa Cruz have not jelled with everyone and so you do see those people online not being happy
I guess you can attempt to make yer new enduro bike ... not enduro
Love that bar on my townie bikeQuote:
Originally Posted by El Chupacabra
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This. Especially the part about rolling the bar forward a bit (my wrists are only slightly jacked, but they're definitely most comfortable in that position).Quote:
Originally Posted by joetron
Our commuter bike has a bar with a bunch of sweep. Similar to a Mary bar. I can't imagine riding that thing on any real trail. I don't even like it on the commuter, I just haven't gotten around to swapping them. It feels awkward and uncomfortable. Obviously opinions vary on this subject.
Salsa Rustler - 800 width (11° backsweep, 20mm rise)
Corvus Sweet 16 - 780 width (16° backsweep, 30mm rise)
Pro (Shimano) Koryak - 800 width (9° backsweep, 20mm rise)
Thakns Mntlion! Found this link with a huge round up too https://bikepacking.com/index/comfort-mtb-handlebars/
I must have deleted right when you posted, as I will ll just order some SQlab and give em a go, for science.
^^^ that's a solid list of semi obscure handlebars. The odds that whoever put that list together has an ironic mustache are approaching 100%.
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