Last Updated on April 20, 2023 by Emmanuel
We feel compelled to share a guide to mountain bike handlebar accessories because handlebars significantly affect riders’ comfort and performance.
This article will answer most of the questions you ask about handlebars in general and handlebars on mountain bikes. We hope you will find it helpful.
Table of Contents
What Are Mountain Bike Bar Ends For?
Bar ends are accessories to mountain bike handlebars that provide more conformability and performance to cyclists.
Once added to your bicycle, they will enable you to move your weight forward on the bike while lowering the center of gravity at the same time.
However, it all depends on everyone’s preference because riders dislike putting these stubby additions on their bicycles’ ends.
Can You Raise The Handlebars On A Mountain Bike?
Of course, you can raise the handlebars on your mountain bike, provided you have the essential tools and follow the steps outlined below.
- First, use an Allen key to remove the long bolt or the L-shaped metal piece that attaches the handlebars to the rest of your bicycle.
- Place the removed long bolt and the Allen key safely for future use.
- Use the Allen key to loosen the smaller bolts on a threadless headset stem and keep the smaller bolts safe.
- Pull the handlebars off the stem without bending them to avoid altering their shape.
- Add spacers to your MTB’s main tube or remove the spacers from the main line to lower the handlebars’ height.
- Carefully replace the stem and the stem cap manually without overstressing the alignment of the branch.
- Finally, check if the handlebars move perfectly, and you are done.
How Do I Make My Mountain Bike Handlebars More Comfortable?
Sure signs show that the sizing and cutting of your mountain bike handlebars need adjustments.
Be careful and consider factors such as whether you have numb, tingling hands or feel pain in your shoulders and wrist.
Other things that may alert you about the discomfort of your MTB handlebars are whether you feel tired in your arms and elbows.
Besides, check if you tend to ride your MTB with your hands on the controls instead of the grips.
The above signs may show that your mountain bike handlebars are too broad. You will then act on them and make your ride more enjoyable.
What Is The Correct Saddle Position For Cycling?
If you can’t get the full fit on your old or new MTB, you can use some techniques to set up an ideal riding position.
First, put your bicycle stationary, level to the horizon, and vertically straight.
Once done, you will pump up your tires to the recommended pressure and replace the bicycle’s rear skewer with the one supplied by the trainer.
This process will ensure that your bike stays vertical without leaning aside if done correctly.
Moreover, set your MTB in the trainer as recommended by the manufacturer and place the front wheel block under the front wheel to level the bike to the horizon.
You can do this by placing one end of a four-foot spirit level in the middle of the rear axle.
Extend the other end towards the front axle and adjust the front wheel height until you level the axles.
Once done, you will check your bicycle to ensure it doesn’t lean laterally and adjust the saddle angle to make its front two-thirds level with the ground.
You will also set the handlebar rotation position and adjust the stems up or down until you find your ideal riding position.
We also recommend using this link to watch a three-minute Youtube video to understand the process better.
How Do You Hold Handlebars On A Mountain Bike?
You are right to ask this question because not holding your mountain bike’s handlebars correctly can make your thumbs sensitive and your ride uncomfortable.
The rule is to correctly move your hands around the handlebars and change position every minute or two.
It will also help to wear gloves that are not too old or compressed unless something prevents you from wearing them.
Another essential thing to consider is whether your MTB has too-hard tires that can lead to numbness in the hands and a harsh ride.
In a few words, ensure to position your hands correctly on your MTB’s handlebars and check other things like the bike fit, seat position, handlebar height, etc.
These factors can affect how much pressure your hands exert on the handlebars and your riding performance.
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How Do I Make My Mountain Bike More Upright?
You can make your mountain bike more upright by lifting the stem and raising it higher than the previous height.
You must also lower the bars by removing the spacers below the stem.
The postures on mountain bikes also differ from that of racing road bikes.
MTBs require a slightly forward lean, while road bikes require forward-bending postures in most circumstances.
Thus, bend your arms slightly while gripping the ends of a flat steering bar to provide the best support posture on your MTB.
Can I Put BMX Handlebars On A Mountain Bike?
Yes, you can install BMX handlebars on an MTB, but the process has pros and cons, as outlined below.
Pros:
- BMX handlebars provide a higher reach to the rider and reduce stress on his elbows and wrists.
- People also install BMX handlebars on their mountain bikes because they look more aesthetic.
- Moreover, BMX bars allow installing additional accessories on your MTB, but you will need shims before mounting other items.
Cons:
- Installing BMX handlebars will result in modified geometry leading to an uncomfortable upright riding position.
- Your MTB will have an extra drag because its center of gravity will shift towards the rear wheel, and it will be challenging for you to climb uphill.
- You will also risk being injured because the handlebars will be taller, and the more they will be close to your chest.
What Is The Correct Handlebar Height?
The handlebar position depends on whether you want to adjust a competitive or racing road bike or an MTB.
The recommended position of a handlebar for a racing or competitive road bike equals at least the full fist-width below the mid-point of the saddle or about 8cm.
The saddle-to-grip drop for a cross-country MTB position should not be above the mid-point of the saddle, while that of an aggressive cross-country MTB ranges between two to five cm.
If you adjust the handlebar position for a performance road bike, It will be between five and six cm below the mid-point of the saddle.
How Do You Tell If Handlebars Are Too Far Away?
When handlebars are too far away, you will typically sit in an uncomfortable and hunched position, making you feel lower back pain.
In one of the previous sections, we showed you how to upright your bicycle handlebars.
Can You Put Beach Cruiser Handlebars On A Mountain Bike?
Of course, you can install cruiser bars on mountain bikes, but first, check the compatibility of the stem sizes and bars.
Besides, remember that altering your bicycle geometry can lead to maneuverability challenges, and be careful when making such a decision.
You can use this link to watch a short youtube video showing how to change the handlebars on a cruiser bike. The process will also likely help for a mountain bike.
Why Are Mountain Bike Seats So High?
This is another exciting question most people ask, and the answer is that keeping an MTB seat in a higher position enables the pedals to work smoothly.
Such a process will result in an overall increase in efficiency and enable you as a rider to extend your legs while strengthening your muscles comprehensively.
Besides, the bike seat height provides other benefits, but we will not explore it further. You can do further research if the topic interests you.
Can I Put A Cruiser Seat On A Mountain Bike?
Yes, you can install a cruiser seat on an MTB, but modern mountain bikes’ seat posts are incompatible with the cruiser saddles. You will need to replace the entire seat.
Buy a new seat post compatible with the saddle model to install a cruiser saddle on your mountain bike. Otherwise, the process will not work.
You can check the indications on the seat post or its clamp to find out your bike’s size seat and see if the new one matches the original seat post.
After buying the right seat post, the next step will be to install the cruiser seat by sliding it into the smaller section of the seat post and tightening the clamp.
Apply a thin grease layer to the seat post’s body to avoid corrosion.
In the last step, insert the seat post into the seat tube, adjust the saddle’s high, and tighten the seat post collar to make it more comfortable.
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Should Your Leg Fully Extend On A Bike?
You must ensure that your feet reach the floor when you sit on your bicycle, but not much to make your knees bend.
Also, extend your legs when riding to keep the pedals at the cycle’s lowest point.
Bending your knees slightly will help you maintain complete control over the riding process and avoid hip injuries.
What Is The Part That Holds The Handlebars On A Bike?
We guess you already know the answer, but we are keen to provide more insights about the topic to help you master its ins and outs better.
You can call the part that connects the handlebars to the steerer tube of the fork the “stem” or a gooseneck.
The stem typically inserts into the threaded steerer tube without -extending above the headset. That’s all we can tell you now about the topic.
Why Do My Hands Hurt After Mountain Biking?
Bums, feet, and hands are the primary focal points between your body as a cyclist and your bike, whatever its type.
So, to avoid these parts of your body suffering from discomfort and get the best riding performance, taking care of each is necessary.
For instance, riding over rough terrains can cause shocks through your arms and entire body and make you suffer.
Moreover, you can feel pain and uncomfortable sensations in your hands and wrists caused by constant pressure on these parts of your body.
The most known uncomfortable and painful sensations are numbness of the fingers, tingling, and general weakness in your hand.
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Do People Still Use MTB Bar Ends?
Some say the modern versions of sports bicycles have no room to bar ends, but you can see that they are still valuable to disappear entirely if you look closely at the vast array of bar ends still available on the cycling market.
How Should High Be MTB Handlebars?
Owning a mountain bike means you like climbing and descending more than racing, and you must adjust your bike’s handlebars accordingly.
If, for instance, your bike’s seat is higher than the handlebars, you will tend to lean forward while putting your weight on your front wheel and wrists.
Therefore, it can result from such a wrong position that you ride uncomfortably and endanger being hurt.
So, to answer the question, ensure that your MTB handlebars are about one or two inches higher than your seat.
It will help avoid positioning your mountain bike’s handlebars higher to prevent some riding problems.
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How Long Should My Stem Be?
Longer stems are appropriate for road bikes as the riders travel at high speeds and need to benefit from the long stems’ extra stability.
However, if you are a mountain hunting lover, you will need a bicycle with a short stem.
When descending short stems, correctly orientate your forward-leaning weight over the front axle and pressure your mass on the front wheel.
Given that the stem affects a bicycle’s handling and steering, you must be smart enough and choose the length suitable for your riding style.
Thus, the length of a long stem typically varies from 100 to 120 mm and even 130mm for very long stems. Short stems are 50 tà 80mm.
That’s all we had to tell you in this ultimate mountain bike handlebar accessories guide.
We hope you find the information helpful and wish you the best riding experience.
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