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Do flat handlebars suck for climbing?

March 29th, 2007 by Tim Grahl

I’ve been spending a lot of time lately on my Redline 925 commuting to work. The bike is equipped with mustache handlebars.

mustache handlebars

It’s the first time I’ve ridden anything but flat handlebars and I’ve really enjoyed the leverage I can get on a good grind up a hill. Today I was out riding the singlespeed Rig at a local trail with plenty of steep climbs. When I stood up to smash my way up I realized pretty quick that I didn’t have nearly the leverage on the climb that I do with the mustache handlebars. I’m assuming because of my hand placement…

So now I’m thinking of trying out some different bars to see if I can get some that will be comfortable on descends and flats but also give me the good climbing leverage on the uphills.

What are my other choices besides flats and mustache?

13 Responses to “Do flat handlebars suck for climbing?”

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  1. 1 Mike  on Mar 29th, 2007 at 8:38 am

    I would suggest you try a pair of On-One Mary Bars. They are not a full mustache bar but do have a generous amount of sweep on the bars. I have a pair on my single speed and would definately recomend them.

  2. 2 jvw97  on Mar 29th, 2007 at 9:29 am

    try some bar ends?

  3. 3 Tim Grahl  on Mar 29th, 2007 at 9:32 am

    Mike: yeah I’ve seen those on-one bars… ill try to get my hands on a set to try out.

    jvw97: wouldn’t that make the problem worse? I feel like I get the better leverage on the mustache because my hands are further back and over and my legs. I wonder if I pointed them back if that would work… don’t know if they would get in the way on other parts of the trail though.

  4. 4 Tom  on Mar 29th, 2007 at 11:31 am

    I ride the old Scott MTB4 on my commuter/touring ride. Plenty of places to grab onto. Unfortunately I don’t think they’re made anymore, but they do show up on ebay from time to time.

  5. 5 Anthony  on Mar 29th, 2007 at 4:17 pm

    Hey Tim,

    I ride moustache bars on my road/cross/commuter bike, but on the mountain bike I really like the Mary bars. When standing, they let you get your knees in there while keeping your hands in a good position, not totally like the moustache but similar. Seated you still feel like you are on an MTB. You can run a similar stem.

    The other bar I have thought about, and not tried, is something like Nitto’s North Road cruiser bar. Mad style points, for sure. You’d likely need a longer stem though, unless you want to be really upright when you ride.

    Regards,
    Anthony

  6. 6 Frank  on Mar 29th, 2007 at 4:26 pm

    Dude…you’ve discovered the benefits of the road handlebar! Multiple hand positions and the brake hoods are the best for out of saddle climbing!

    Try some Dirt Drops!

    Next you should try some skinny slick tires…in 700c size. Amazing how fast they roll…

  7. 7 Adam Lisonbee  on Mar 29th, 2007 at 6:22 pm

    I’ve been eyeing the On One Midge bars. The Mary also looks interesting.

  8. 8 gwadzilla  on Mar 29th, 2007 at 6:59 pm

    some local heros like THE MARY bars
    guess that is why

  9. 9 Jason  on Mar 29th, 2007 at 7:55 pm

    Personally, I use bar-ends with my low rise bar. Try placing bar ends backwards (towards your body).

  10. 10 Rainman  on Mar 29th, 2007 at 8:05 pm

    I’ve used quite a few different types of bars off road, but my favourite are the Ti Jeff Jones H-Bars.

    They have really good absorption of trail chatter, excellent Ti flex when pressured hard for climbing and mashing, multiple hand positions, light and very strong, they are fantastic. Mate the JJ bars with ESI chunky silicone grips and you have an amazing setup, imo.

    Mary bars are also very good, but lack the absorption of the Ti bars, and are heavier.

    Give the Jeff Jones Ti H-Bars and the ESi grips a try. I think that you will love them.

    R.

  11. 11 jdb  on Apr 2nd, 2007 at 11:58 am

    Flat bars seem to defeat an aggresive riding position due to flawed ergonomics with hand and wrist. I converted my MTB to use On-One “Midge” bars, which might be referred to as a wide and shallow ‘dirt drop’. The bar tops are higher than a flat bar, and the drops are lower. It’s a system that’s worked well for me both on singletrack (with panniers on all four corners) and also pavement commuting. “Interrupter” brake levers are good for these bars. Bar end shifters are a good match too.

  12. 12 Rob R.  on Apr 2nd, 2007 at 6:12 pm

    I’ve been riding the Gary bar (a dirt drop bar). This guy’s blog covers it pretty well, except I’d like to add that I’ve been riding them for about three weeks and I love them. I can really crank up hills and when I need some power. Also, they cost $19.95 at my local shop. My 29er is going to get some next.

    link to someone else’s blog about Gary bars.

  1. 1 Crankzone » Do flat handlebars suck for climbing? Pingback on Mar 30th, 2007 at 4:13 am

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