The riding activity has grown too high during the covid 19 pandemic. When everyone shut their business and office doors to spend the most time at home, people started looking for alternative hobbies to kill the long day and night. Biking brings cyclists proximity to the natural world, achieving many health and psychological benefits. However, several factors determine the experienced cyclist gets in every riding expedition. The bike geometry plays the biggest role in determining the riding experience. The bike geometry includes, among many other things, the bike design. Of tow, the pedals, saddles, and handlebars are of utmost importance in the bike geometry. However, the handlebars play the pivot role in determining your body position and comfort, affecting leverage and speed. Though many people spend more time in the saddles and the pedals, the handlebars determine the biking experience most. The secret to staying comfortable and at ease when riding is Right in Front of you. The handlebar type and the fit determine how much pressure you put on your upper body and shoulders. Moreover, it also determines that you attain the balance needed to steer the bike even better.
First things first, factors to consider when choosing a bike handlebar.
It is important to understand the factors you need to consider before choosing a bike handlebar. These are important as they influence your decision on the Handlebars for bikes. When these factors are given the proper consideration, they should give the bike rider the best experience in the redesign expedition.
1.Body Size
Your body size and type would determine the best type of bike handlebar suited for you. For the long-sized people, you will need a handlebar that helps you steer the bike without necessarily having t bend too much. You will need to balance weight pressure on your upper body part. Therefore, the body type would determine the handlebars’ size, type, and other factors. Nonetheless, medium-sized people would readily find handlebars that suit their sizes. However, for very short or tall people, considering the body size is critical.
2.The handlebar width
Choosing the handlebar does not end with reviewing the body seize of the intended users. The handlebar width is essential in the determination of the handlebar as well. The frame sizing determines most handlebar widths at most times. Therefore, they are mostly categorized into small, medium and large sizes. Therefore, if the rider is not keen on choosing the right handlebar width and uses that which does not fit the rider’s body size, it can impact the responsiveness of the bike and even the health of the rider. It is not healthy to strain most body muscles like the arms and limbs to steer the handlebars. However, the width of the handlebars should help you manage the bike at ease.
3.Handlebar material
Handlebar material is essential; it affects the bar’s grip by the hand. Additionally, the quality of the grip affects the biking experience and can even cause an accident. When the hand slips over the handlebar, the rider can experience a fatal experience. Therefore, though there are many materials for consideration in the handlebars, aluminum is better than carbon. Aluminum material is less costly and has the same weight as carbon material.
4.The Reach, drop, rise, flare, and diameter.
Besides every other factor, you would need to be very keen here. The Reach is the distance between the middle of the bar called the stem and the point where the hand brakes are. Drop is the distance between the stem and the lowest part of the bend. The flare is the measure of the outward slope measured in degrees. Rise is the opposite of the bend if the handlebar is designed to rise. It is the distance between the stem and the top end of the handlebar. Sweep is the angle of the bend of the handlebars. Consider all these factors to determine the design of the type of handlebar you need.
The above factors are essential when choosing the right handlebar that suits your needs and body size. However, even with all that information, it may still be challenging to settle on the best handlebar for your bike. Ultimately, it all goes to the preference of the rider. However, the general handlebar types are making rounds in 2022, which could inform your choice in choosing the handlebar for your bike. Our experts have reviewed the many types of handles available in the market and present you with the ultimate guide on the bicycle handlebars. This article will help you understand the variety so that you are not constrained to not only a few types of handlebars when choosing the right for your bike. The pros and cons of each bike have been reviewed for your consumption. After reading this article through, you will be able to understand what suits your body and desire without hassle. These handlebars are for all bikes regardless. Whether it is a mountain bike, they can be fit on any bike depending o the choice of the rider. The fitting of handlebars on bikes takes a couple of minutes and an experienced mechanic. However, even with the right skills, you can screw and fit the handlebar yourself with the right tools at home.
1.Flat Handle Bars
These are the most common Handlebars for bicycles you will find in the market today. They are versatile and easy to manage. They are common in cross-country riding expeditions. These bars are general flat though they slightly bend to the rider’s end. They are most common for cross country and other flat-level ground riding and not necessarily mountain riding.
Pros
They are versatile and simple – it is easy to attach a lot of stuff to the bars, like the phone holders and auxiliary biking accompaniments. You can also attach more bar ends to improve the grip.
Light and cheap – flat bars are generally light. They do not come with additionally drops and rises. Therefore, they are less costly and light.
More comfortable – these bars reduce the back and upper body strain. Therefore, they achieve more comfort when riding than most other bike handle bars.
Cons
Only ideal for risky courses
Not the best for rugged mountainous terrain.
2.Riser Bars
Riser bars are ideal for trail riding. The rise happens at the centre of the clamp area, enabling a better grip of the cycle bars. Riders remain more upright, the desired effect for better trail biking.
Pros
Better control – the wider handle bar area enables a better grip and balance, improving the bike control.
Good for wrists’ health – The riser bars help distribute weight and pressure on the whole body. The better upright sitting position achieved enables less pressure on the wrist. Therefore, even those with wrist problems can comfortably use the handle bars.
Ideal for trail biking – the better control enables riders to manage risky terrains and narrow roads.
Versatile – the handle bar can be given a negative rise by twisting them to enable better climbing.
Cons
It is expensive – the handlebar requires more material to make it heavier to manage climbing trails.
Heavier – additional material adds to the bike and handlebar weight.
Wider – can collect a lot of unwanted stuff in the natural trial environment, which is hooked to the handlebar ends.
3.Bull Horns handlebars
These handlebars curve forward and upwards, resembling the bullhorns. They look fiery and are a choice by most young riders
Pros
Good aerodynamics – the design of the bullhorns helps provide a better forward-leaning and penetration of the wind when riding. This adds to the speed more than the flat bars would.
Ideal for climbing – being goo in aerodynamics, the handlebars are better suited for climbing. They help the rider lean forward and add effort that steers the bike up the mountains.
They have a fiery look that excites riders.
Cons
Not good at negotiating sharp turns.
4.Drop bars
The climbing bike in Infront of you will often have a drop bar handlebar. Biking enthusiasts prefer these handlebars to balance the looks and the versatility.
Pros
Better aerodynamics and for climbing.
High versatile – riders can add a lot of stuff to the bars and still retain their balance.
Better for pedalling – riders can add more effort to the pedals without struggling.
Ideal for bike enthusiasts – drop bars are ideal for bike enthusiasts, not typical bikers. Their features add to the charm for bike enthusiasts.
Cons
Not ideal for sharp turns.
It cannot be best on trials and rough courses
5.Aero Bars
As the name goes by, this handlebar is the best for its aerodynamic properties. The bars come with specs that allow for reduced air bugs and comfort for a better steer.
Pros
Excellent aerodynamics features allow for high speeds against strong wind pressure.
The armrest and comfy features are something else that bikers love in this bar.
Stick-ons features improve the versatility of the handlebars to allow for bullhorn and drop-bar looks.
Cons
Not ideal for climbing.
It can be dangerous as hands are drawn away from brakes.
6.Cruisers bars
For the bike riders who desire comfy riding instead of speedy rides against time, this is the ideal bar. It allows for a completely upright position to ride the bike to the candy shop and market comfortably.
Pros
Excellent comfort
The best home looks ideal for countryside and city dwellers.
Allows for basket space for market shopping.
Cons
Requires wider seats as the upright position adds weight to the saddle.
Cannot climb hills and can only manage flat-level surfaces.
7.Butterflies Bars
This is the perfect bar for riders who desire to kill very long distances while riding and not for speeds. It allows more space to add the accompaniments for long ridings like water bottles, phone holders, maps and bag spaces.
Pros
Ideal for long rides and allows the users to retain comfy body positions while riding long distances.
Suitable for wrist and body health. The bars allow the wrist to rest naturally on the handlebar ends without exerting pressure.
Suitable for the shifter’s users when riding.
Cons
The handlebars are extra heavier and add to the bike’s weight.
Not suitable for speeds.
8.Extra Cycling bars
Though we have reviewed only seven handlebars, the fact remains that a variety of other bike bars flood the market. However, our guide has reviewed what we consider the most versatile and making leads in the market in2022. However, this does not mean that these are the only handlebars. There are a variety of other handlebars, including the following.
BMX handlebars are ideal for bike tricks and can retina stability even with very sharp turns.
H-Bars – come with various hand positions from the looped, bent and even H-bar designs. However, they make adding shifters and brake levers difficult.
Ape Hangers – the handlebars have a steep rise that makes the rider strive to reach and peddle the bike. They are ridiculous and have a catchy appearance in the streets.
Condino bars – originated in Italy, and it is ridiculous in looks. The handlebars protrude outward and forward, making them look like bottle openers.
Conclusion
The market is flooded with various other bicycle handlebars besides what we have reviewed. However, the top seven handlebars reviewed here are the bars making rounds in the markets in 2022. The choice of the handlebar remains the preference of the rider. However, this guide helps you understand what each handlebar type would bring to the riding experience. Therefore, you can surf our lists and identify what suits your needs with your taste established. The purpose of the bike is also a key determinant. If you are looking for a bike to help you get to the candy shop from home, you would not need to look for very detailed specs for speeds and aerodynamics. However, if you are a bike enthusiast and would like to be ahead of your peers during the biking expedition, the bike specs matter a lot to you. Checking the bike leverage and the handlebar design is key to having the best riding experience. However, it is essential to insist on looking at the photography of the bike handler when buying online so that you inspect the design before purchasing.