Riser Bars or Flat Bars?

[Alex]

I've been hunting around for information on the relative merits of riser bars vs. flat bars. I have flat bars on my hardtail (circa 1996), but my full-suspension bike (bought this year) came with Race Face Next XC Low Riser bars.

Does anyone know the merits of each type of bar?

What is your preference?

My bar is 26", and that seems really wide to me.

Thanks!

Alex

[Irulan]

flat bars is definately old school race style ;) but it comes down to personal preference and riding style. I took flat bars off the bike I built into a SS, and put a lo rise carbon Monkey Lite on it. I think if you'be got slacker geometry lie my stumpy, a slight rise is better.

[7rider]

MORE had this discussion a while ago.
Here's the thread (I think you can read it as a non-member): http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?p=83501&mode=threaded&highlight=riser#post83501
Here's the first response - full of generalizations and smarty remarks, and followed with responses that are exceptions to this. But so is the way of forum discussions!

"weight weenie racer boys use flat bars, bad boy aggro hucksters use riser bars. Me I use funky bars since I'm a singlespeed fixie hipster type.

It all comes down to how the bike fits you. To get the same hand position, you could get a high-rise stem and flat bar or a stem with less rise and use a riser bar. Either way you would achieve the same end result. Typically riser bars are wider, have more sweep and give you a more upright riding style which for bombing downhill is a good thing, not so much for all out sprinting on an XC course. There are more and more styles of bars coming out that give you more choice, I know Salsa has some flat bars with a lot of sweep (for a non-funky bar that is).

Some generalizations there, but gets the point across. How do you ride and what works for you, that is the most important thing. If a shop is pushing marketing hype over fit walk out and go somewhere else.

Just don't ever use barends on a riser bars, that's like wearing white after labor day!"

[Alex]

Thanks for your responses! I ride a 2007 Giant Anthem 0. It is a cross-country race bike (not as slack as a Stumpy) and I decided to stick with the Race Face bars unless someone at this weekend's camp advises otherwise (based upon actually seeing me ride).

As far as no bar ends on a riser bar, well, I've never been a slave to fashion! However, my bars are carbon and can't take bar ends.

Alex

[SalsaMTB]

I prefer flat bar, but I'm currently riding a light weight fully rigid bike. I've always preferred flat though because they're typically narrower.

[bluebug32]

I find with flat bars, I'm more likely to pitch forward or go over the bars in technical areas. Mainly a matter of preference, though. And you can trim them down (I think the majority of people do), if they're too wide. Wide equals good for opening up your chest to breathe, but bad for narrow singletrack (I've certainly found this out the hard way!).