Mountain bike handlebar diameters seem to be undergoing a slow motion evolution with 35mm bars becoming more common. Moving from 31.8mm to 35mm generally results in stiffer handlebars, but not everyone wants a stiffer bar. (Plus other factors play into bar stiffness including material choice, carbon layup, length, and shape.)
If you’re running 35s, tell us in the comments if you chose to swap out the bars on your bike or if they came stock on a new bike that you purchased.
13 Comments
May 5, 2024
May 5, 2024
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Jun 11, 2024
I’m a bike fitter, and the 35mm bar thing is super annoying, so many people now have to buy a new bar AND stem, just because the shape/size the need isn’t available.
The first few years that 35mm bars came on bikes there were only 20mm rose, 8 degree backsweep options. At least now there are taller rise options, but still very few flat options, and none (AFAIK) with more backsweep.
And stems are even worse. You can get any stem you want in 35mm , as long as it’s 6 or 0 degree rise, and between 35 and 60mm long.
So whenever someone needs a stem outside that, they need to buy both a new bar AND stem. In the past, we could maybe use one of the parts they already had on the bike.
May 9, 2024
May 9, 2024
May 10, 2024
Put the OneUp oval bars on to try for mor compliance. Old abused wrists appreciate it.
Have 31.8 bars on my other bike. Personally can’t feel any advantage of the bigger bars. (Older slower “Enduro” style rider)
May 9, 2024
May 6, 2024
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May 7, 2024