What every bike, be it single-speed fixed gear bikes, road bikes or mountain gears requires using trustworthy handlebar. The market offers different types with each one known for its unique pros and cons. Getting to know them in details will allow you to make the right approach and avoid later headaches. You can also have an amazing biking experience. The fact is handlebars do influence immensely your bike’s overall reliability, stability and handling.
Types of bike handlebars and their advantages
- Riser Bars: They are flat bars arising from center clamp area. However, such dirt bike handlebars are much wider and used commonly in trail biking. With this bar, you can sit more upright. It also provides you with more leverage. Turning also becomes much easier while requiring less energy. It is also good for your wrists as you get a comfortable grip. Weight distribution on the back and wide handle grip allows you to have more control to ride through rough terrain and riskier courses.
- Flat Bars: They are the standard fit in most bikes and features being completely flat. In some cases, a slight bend may be designed towards the rider. Cross-country riders prefer this type because of its versatility. Being a straight bar, you can place plenty of things on it like brake levers, lights, auxiliary biking equipment and phone holders. Steering also becomes precise and predictable. Leaning forward is also easier, especially during a climb. Since it is narrow, it can glide easily through narrow corridors and doors.
- Drop bars: Bike enthusiasts love this bar as it manages to balance versatility and looks. They come with straight middle section whose each end tends to curve downwards, towards the rider. Based on their reach, width and drop, drop bars are of different types. They have excellent aerodynamics, allowing you to enjoy track racing. You may include brake hood onto the drop bars to derive additional hand positions. This way, your hands can be kept at neutral position.
- Bullhorns: Such scooter handlebars tend to curve forward and up. It has amazing aerodynamics. Being flat bars, you can get lower while riding at fast speeds or facing headwind. It allows you to take part in track racing. It is also among the best bars allowing you to climb heights easily as your body gets more room for upward and forward movement. You also derive better leverage while pedaling uphill. For speed, pursuit bars are considered to be a better option.
- Cruiser bars: They make the right choice if riding to the nearby candy shop. These are also referred to as Upright or North Road handlebars. Its extreme sweep allows you to have greater control of the bike and sit upright completely. Wrists can be in natural position during the ride. Swept-back design provides the front space with sufficient room while balancing weight even with grocery filled basket in the front.
Select the most appropriate handlebar
You do deserve the very best and most appropriate bike handlebar that should be based upon your specific usage and preference. When using the handle, you should feel in full control of your bike concerning performance and handling.