Handlebar width

[Jonala]

Is there any wisdom as to the width of handlebars on a trials bike? I was practicing on my new bike, and noticed that the bars are about 2" wider than my shoulders. The width became noticeable when I would try to pull up on the bars.

Today was my first ride on the Monty. The bike inspires confidence. What a difference a tight bike makes. As long as I was in good position the bike would reward me with the move that I had in mind.

Highlight of the day. I was riding inside a 15' deep gully. Going up one wall was a trail that had exposed roots about a foot higher than the ground. The roots were about 10' up the wall. In front of the roots was a 3' long absolute vertical section. No way I would of been able to make it up that with either my XR or my old Fantic. The Monty wheelied right over the roots, and right up the rest of the climb. :yeehaw:

I was done after 2.5 hrs of practicing. My arms and fingers were shot.

I'm real happy with this purchase.

 

[JTT]

Good to hear your liking the new ride! Modern trials bikes truely are amazing aren't they.

As for bar width, I've been told by several VERY experienced riders that full width is the only way to go. Improved balance, and leverage.

 

[Patman]

Agreeded with the standard width bars :thumb: Changing the rise might help with getting fitted to the bike a bit. I installed some Renthal Lampkin bars which actually have a lower rise (4.5") to help get more of my weight forward in a comfortable position. My arms are longer than normal so this seemed to help in my situation. The stock rise is 5.0" if I'm not mistaken and I think Lewis Sport can get bars with up to a 6.5" rise if you have the need. Also the shorty levers seem to make me position my hands more comfortably. I don't imagine knocking off 1/2" from each side would make your bike uncontrollable but if you look at 1" from each side I can see ya' losing a bit of leverage. I suppose the wost thing that could happen is that you need to get new bars :)

 

[CenTexTrials]

Is there any wisdom as to the width of handlebars on a trials bike? I was practicing on my new bike, and noticed that the bars are about 2" wider than my shoulders. The width became noticeable when I would try to pull up on the bars.

Regarding bar width, unless you are a very short person with very short arms I would recommend leaving the bars their standard width.

I do know of a couple of guys that cut their bars, they are of shorter stature and only ride the "morning" classes where they are often presented with turns in between tight trees..
As you move into the more advanced stuff, the more 'leverage' the better.. IMHO :)

Wesley

 

[Jonala]

Standard width it is.

 

[wayneg]

I am short at 5'8" and have cut down my last two sets of bars, mainly because I didn't fit between the trees very easily and got sick of mashing my little fingers into pulp. These were just standard Beta bars (Domino alloy ones with a cross brace) which did seem to be a little bit wider than the Renthals etc. The current set are the standard bars off the Beta '98 Techno which are tapered alloy and (without a cross brace and again made by Domino I think) which were the right size so didn't need to be chopped.

If you are thinking of replacing your bars, or if you bend some and need to replace them then the tapered bars are really great and I'd highly recommend them. I've had the current ones on my bike for about a year now, and haven't managed to bend them - this is a great endorsement as I ride like a crash test dummy a lot of the time :)

 

[CenTexTrials]

Taper bars

If you are thinking of replacing your bars, or if you bend some and need to replace them then the tapered bars are really great and I'd highly recommend them. I've had the current ones on my bike for about a year now, and haven't managed to bend them - this is a great endorsement as I ride like a crash test dummy a lot of the time :)

I have to agree with Wayne on this. I have the Taper bars on my GG Pro and really like them. They "feel" great! Riding a bike with standard bars just doesn't feel as good. It is hard to describe exactly what it is that makes them better, but there is "something" about them.. I haven't measured them in comparison, but they feel a little higher.. They are just nice.. and strong as Wayne mentioned, I have fallen many times, no bending.. Regarding falling, I 'get off my bike' on the average of 2-3 times per practice :) How about you others?

 

[TheJunkMan]

too many get-offs to count on one hand here!

 

[wayneg]

Yes I'd have to take my shoes off as well!

 

[CenTexTrials]

crashing frequency

Yes I'd have to take my shoes off as well!

Holy Cow! I thought I was falling off more than most..
Now, for definition purposes, I am talking about having to leave the bike, not just tipping over.. I get to ride about 4-5 days a week and I try to ride for an hour each ride, sometimes longer. So, I fall/crash (actually 'part' with the bike) about 2-3 times per ride and I am usually riding pretty agressively.. I "tip over" a few more times than that..

Now, with this definition you probably don't crash as much right? :)

 

[wayneg]

What about totally flipping the bike?? This shouldn't be counted as the bike fell over itself?? Ha!

No I don't fall off so much as you describe, but do tip over a lot. I used to go over the handlebars quite a lot, but since I bought a fork brace (USD forks!) I can't even seem to do that very well any more. Being the sort of person that I am, I still count the minor tip overs as I have a reputation to uphold.

I usually only get to ride a couple of times each month, but will be riding a bit more regularly this year because of my enthusiastic brother (shiny new bike :whiner: ), and because we have a better calendar of events this year. For example we have one full trial, one two day trail ride and a twlight trial this month. Also because I won't be going to our National Championships this year because its being held too far away, and I can't be bothered travelling that far - so I'm going to do a couple of the closer North Island Champ rounds instead, which are two day events. Hopefully all the extra practice will improve my skills - or maybe I'll just get more battered and bruised.
One thing is certain though - I will need to work on bigger obstacles, because judging from the trial yesterday they are my major weak point, especially rain soaked slippery logs with no run up. :uh: