Bike Handlebars

Key Considerations 

• Comfort: How much pressure is on your hands? What's your position?
• Leverage: The wider the handlebars, the more leverage
• Lift: Can you raise your front wheel over obstacles? It’s more important when mountain biking.

Bike Handlebar Shapes 

• Flared: Handlebar has a wider diameter towards its middle than at its ends
• Tapered: Bar wall is thinner as it moves away from the stem area to the grips, saving weight
• Butted: Bars with varying wall thicknesses along their length, with thicker metal used at high-stress areas
• Bar ends: These add more hand positions to a flat or riser bar

Other Considerations 

• Weight: Carbon fiber is lighter than aluminum but costs more
• Strength: Bar material and wall thickness contribute to overall weight
• Width: Handlebars should closely match the width of your shoulders