XC Riser bars V flat bars
- Thread starter KJD MK1
- Start date
I think the biggest difference with risers these days is that they have a lot more backwards sweep than flat bars of old. This is way more comfortable (for me at least).
I built up a 1992 Marin and was horrified at how unnatural the hand position was with the original bars. It felt like holding on to a railing. The rise bit is irrelevant (as said) - you could achieve the same effect by a taller stem.
The nicest I've got is an On-one Mary - but the extreme sweep would make barends impossible.
I built up a 1992 Marin and was horrified at how unnatural the hand position was with the original bars. It felt like holding on to a railing. The rise bit is irrelevant (as said) - you could achieve the same effect by a taller stem.
The nicest I've got is an On-one Mary - but the extreme sweep would make barends impossible.
Some interesting options to try here, I've got my seat height wise spot on but it does look like I need to try some changes with saddle position and stem height. My new stem also while Bering a little shorter is a slightly higher rise that current set up so all in all lots of adjustments to play with. When I was younger the set up felt ok but as I'm a litter older,heavier perhaps comfort is more inportaint than speed. 
Your current setup is extreme. As Fluffy Chicken says, the seat and bar setups should be a matched pair. You have a really extreme position for the saddle combined with a very long stem and bar ends. That's the kind of near-horizontal position that a young and very athletic rider can just about get away with, but it's fundamentally a weak and inefficient position and it would become an increasing handicap as you get older.
Your saddle looks as though the centre is about two inches back from the line of the post. When you think that most makers give just a half inch extra on the top tube for every size step, you are effectively making your bike four sizes bigger with that saddle position.
If I were you, I would centre the saddle over the seat post and try a shorter stem, preferably with some rise. You could try a riser bar, but I would see that as an optional extra.
Riser bars and short stems have become almost universal because they are suited to medium and long-travel suspension forks, and the upright posture suits the style of riding that longer travel makes possible. Your Manitou is quite a short travel fork, so it would suit a semi-upright position with or without a riser bar.
I agree with those who say that barends look sad with riser bars, but in fact the more upright your posture becomes the less you need barends. If they were still needed, people would still use them, but they're not.
Your saddle looks as though the centre is about two inches back from the line of the post. When you think that most makers give just a half inch extra on the top tube for every size step, you are effectively making your bike four sizes bigger with that saddle position.
If I were you, I would centre the saddle over the seat post and try a shorter stem, preferably with some rise. You could try a riser bar, but I would see that as an optional extra.
Riser bars and short stems have become almost universal because they are suited to medium and long-travel suspension forks, and the upright posture suits the style of riding that longer travel makes possible. Your Manitou is quite a short travel fork, so it would suit a semi-upright position with or without a riser bar.
I agree with those who say that barends look sad with riser bars, but in fact the more upright your posture becomes the less you need barends. If they were still needed, people would still use them, but they're not.
silverclaws
Senior Retro Guru
I got risers and bar ends fitted, they work for me as I need to keep moving my hand position around when cycling, my bar ends give three other positions and act as hand protection when I hit something, Specialized DirtRodz circa 1993.
As to whether I prefer risers over flat bars I don't know, but they suit my bike at the present due to the front stem not being high enough for a comfortable riding position, one of the disadvantages of the aheadset system, the inability to raise the steering height. But I am after a springy fork at some point with hopefully a steerer longer than 190mm, so I can then perhaps go back to flat bars, which do look better in my oppinion. Either that, or convert to the old system of threaded fork and quill, which was still current with the year of my bike and seemingly available on some models, I suspect the non Elite variants of Saracen.
So if bar ends on risers are a no no for the simple reason of fashion, I am glad I am not fashionable, for the combination works for me.
As to whether I prefer risers over flat bars I don't know, but they suit my bike at the present due to the front stem not being high enough for a comfortable riding position, one of the disadvantages of the aheadset system, the inability to raise the steering height. But I am after a springy fork at some point with hopefully a steerer longer than 190mm, so I can then perhaps go back to flat bars, which do look better in my oppinion. Either that, or convert to the old system of threaded fork and quill, which was still current with the year of my bike and seemingly available on some models, I suspect the non Elite variants of Saracen.
So if bar ends on risers are a no no for the simple reason of fashion, I am glad I am not fashionable, for the combination works for me.
I'm with Silverclaws on this one... I like the risers for back comfort now i'm getting old and creeky but found climbing is a lot more efficient with bar ends fitted. I also tried a shorter stem (currently a 115) and found out of the seat and climbing I was banging my knees on under bar shifters. So Imight not look like Joe Cool but I can blitz a fare few riders half my age when we hit the going up bits.
Anthony":jsw59ua1 said:
Thanks for your comments and advice, I've taken on board what you and others have said and been in the garage tonight and made some adjustments. I've pulled the saddle forward around 27mm and raised the stem around 6mm already the ride albeit around the garden feels more upright and relaxed, I'm going to hit the trails tomorrow evening for a proper assessment
I'm refurbing a ringle stem at the mo and once completed I'll also fit that, its a little shorter and has a little rise in it so again things should improve further.
Until I rode my mates bike I never realised how stretched out I was, I suppose 20 years ago head down arse up was my bag but now rider comfort is no 1.
As for the bar end debate I guess its down to personal choice when I try a small riser bar if I feel I need them I'll fit um
Many thanks for everyone's input, I hope others have learned a thing or two as I know I have. I'll post my findings after tomorrows ride
mountainloz
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bar ends with risers are definitely a socks/sandals thing, however risers don't get rid of the need for them at all.
the idea behind bar ends is all about the muscle groups being used,
on a straight or riser bar without bar ends when you pull on the bar to aid acceleration or climbing, you are pulling with your smaller arm muscles due to the position of your arms, when you move to a bar end it brings your biceps into play, which are more designed for the job.
maybe something like the Ergon grips with a stubbie-like bar end built in might let you get away with riser/bar end combo, giving you the required hand position without looking like a british tourist abroad?
the idea behind bar ends is all about the muscle groups being used,
on a straight or riser bar without bar ends when you pull on the bar to aid acceleration or climbing, you are pulling with your smaller arm muscles due to the position of your arms, when you move to a bar end it brings your biceps into play, which are more designed for the job.
maybe something like the Ergon grips with a stubbie-like bar end built in might let you get away with riser/bar end combo, giving you the required hand position without looking like a british tourist abroad?
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