[Closed] XC Handlebars

Nope, fit the bar that fits you and feels good, it will probably be lighter. The main issue you have is fitting light weight XC parts to tougher builds

Thanks Mike, makes sense. Why do XC bikes seem so often to come with flat bars?

If it's a 29r then you are droping the front end height a bit more, the wheel size lifts it up a bit more than previous sizes, it's not uncommon to see some bikes with negative rise stems to drop it a bit more.

Worth trying a few options to see what feels comfortable/fast depending on what you want from it, might be better with the flat bar

RaceFace Next are a tad on the heavy side for xc racing.

Check out brands such as MT Zoom available in flat and riser for similar price and about half the weight of the next bars. No weight limit on them either, they have a brilliant rep in xc circles

Unless the OP is looking to loose weight/spend money he should just put on the bars he has surely. Even if Next bars are heavier than others they are probably still no heavier than the basic bars that came with the bike as Mike says. A lot of companies save money in places such as bars and seat post so they don't usually come with very light components so nothing to lose if you already have the bars.

Why do XC bikes seem so often to come with flat bars?

Because everyone wants to look like a pro XC racer with their bars 6" lower than their saddle. Kinda like doing this to your car.