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I'm aware that the trend these days is for riser bars, with flat bars generally reserved for xc racer types, but what does each offer in terms of performance? Why do xc racers prefer flat bars? If it's for aerodynamic reasons why not lower the stem and fit riser bars if handling is improved with riser bars?
Lower weight maybe? I am tempted to try that kind of setup again to see what it is like compared to a more usual setup.
Ive got them on my 29er where they look better than riser bars IMO. They are a bit narrow and I'm wondering if that is affecting handling. Or indeed, if it relates to it being flat.
why not lower the stem and fit riser bars if handling is improved with riser bars?
Riser bars don't improve handling. The reason riser bars are more preferential is because the stem can be mounted with less spacers underneath. Looks better and I suppose is also stronger.
Flat bars allow you to bring your weight more over the front forks into a bit more of an 'attack' position. That's why they are becoming more common place in DH.
Bars are getting flatter as wheels and fork travel are getting bigger to keep the front end down. Outside of that a riser bar and flat stem does exactly the same thing as flat bar with a stem with a rise or a long steerer and bunch of spacers. Just go with whatever you like the look of
chrisdw - MemberFlat bars allow you to bring your weight more over the front forks into a bit more of an 'attack' position. That's why they are becoming more common place in DH.
Actually going out of fashion again, as are negative rise stems- moderate rise is most popular. TBF I think dh bar height varies depending on the alignment of the stars and on a roll of the dice more than anything else.
Flat bars don't have much effect on where your weight goes, it changes the rest position but with riser bars you can still achieve the same weight distribution, because elbows.
Stronger? You mean bending something makes it stronger? I always thought putting any for of stress through something made it weaker...
Flat bars 'should' be lighter than the equivalent length riser, but the trend in MTB is for risers as the MArketing boys have managed to convince everyone that it is the way forward.
Risers tend to be wider so can improve handling, however over the last few years flats have gotten wider.
Riser also raise the bar slightly so can improve comfort.
I've got risers but think flats are a very good solution as they go well with bar ends (not a fashion thing, the sweep on risers tend to put the bar ends at funny angles). I'd prefer bar ends on them, but my 'mental' days of climbing everything are long gone and I tend to just sit on the saddle and pedal as far as I can now before getting off and walking so I've no real benefit to bar ends so I've not removed the risers.
Rise should be based on your height, the height of your forks/wheels, the length of your headtube, the width of the bars and riding style (do you have an upright neutral style? Or do you crouch over the bars? Also for example if you ride flats you tend to ride the back wheel more).
As the bars get wider, the effective top tube length gets longer pulling you more forward and forcing you to lean over more to keep your arms in a nice bent and relaxed attacking position.
You'll compound this effect by lowering your stack height/rise. I found at the width I run (780mm) that I had to increase the rise to suit my riding style.
high rise stem and flat bars will be stronger and better, lighter and stronger, than risers, they look crap though. Fashion wins again.
All your trying to do is put two hands in a position x mm apart and y mm from the saddle. The less tubing involved the stronger and better.