Which Handlebars Are Right for You? | Handlebar Guide

[@chuckyfox9284]

For anyone interested the Bullhorn bars are actually the most aero out of all of them. For the most aero position, you should try to have your forearm parallel to the wind and your head tucked in. This Position is far more aero than the drops on the drop bars. You can imitate it in the hoods of the drop bars, but that is much less safe and comfortable.

[@AverageJoeRider]

Did you have any pictures? I don't understand what you're saying since english isnt my first language

[@ANIME2020X]

I have a Schwinn Dual Sport that I brought from Walmart for like $250. The more I learn about bicycles, the more I hate my bike.

[@ultimaetsolder]

Sakatoki91 if it gets the job done, it's okay.

[@williamframpton3863]

See you later space cowboy.

[@sexypixels]

Ride it into the ground, then upgrade.

[@romyan5382]

I've found nice looking bikes for that price on Craigslist.

[@bass-callbo8434]

Gotta love that Schwinnedischwinnmofo!

[@matthewdezii]

Tell us about that basket. Looks clean and efficient.

[@JoseGonzalez-uy2xn]

Make a video on bar tape , review a different brands , and materials made from , and their price points / grips

[@FreeUpTheWeed]

Jose Gonzalez Ooh yeah! And cover wet weather, and gloves vs gloveless when wet too. Thanks Zach! All the way from New Zealand (:

[@FreeUpTheWeed]

Jaybie Dayy No no, I want to watch Zach make a video on bar tape.

[@skyjuiceification]

he is running the worst possible grip tape. hell its just white cloth.

[@tstarz1339]

I find the lack of Tupperware organization on that shelf in many of these videos to be quite stressful.

[@cyprn6600]

Pretty organized according to my standards

[@kandimba]

The lids are on the tupperwares, what more do you want?

[@rayeagle5392]

Hi, just bought my first fixie. It's a urban track. Cool bike cheap parts. So I already bought some bullhorns, brakes and peddles. Surprisingly the seat doesn't bother me at all. I guess we'll see with a little more time. That was going to be my first purchase.

[@jasonbot]

+1 for 'comfortability'

[@steezymtb5876]

If you include the "corner" position on the drop bars, I would say grabbing the end of a straight bar counts as well, giving the wrists a more comfortable position. Really not a good grip when the sh*t hits the fan, but on an open road a quite nice position to cruise around.

[@drizli1656]

i'm riding drops right now but wide risers are probably my favorite

[@houseofcards4511]

Switched from risers on my old single speed (got stolen) to drop bars on my new cross bike. I'm still getting used to it, but the versatility is awesome.

[@andrewmurray9391]

I built my own, cutting down a BMX straight bar and putting side bars like a bullhorn, a little inset so I could mount shifters and brakes in a mountain position. I like it because it gives me the leverage, from a BMX background, to perform what I want to coin as urban rally. I'll race the train over the bridge and jump 25 stairs with a backflip for fun as I speed through downtown to get a 40oz and return sheet music to the library.

[@allmancolin]

Nitto Noodle 177 bars in the 48cm size. I have NEVER ridden with better bars, the extra width is exactly what I needed. I no longer have problems with aches and pains in hands / wrists / arms / shoulders

[@bullwhipjohnson8247]

That's pretty good advice about the boney protrution measurements. I've never been told that by anyone, not even online tech support when I ordered new handlebars. The larger Stem Clamps I'm assuming are probably for Carbon and Alloy type handlebars as they have to have larger diameter tubes to have the same or better strength and rigidity as steel.

[@JacobR2]

Hey zach. Right now I ride some converted bullhorns (cut from drops) with inner tubes as the bar tape. I love it so much that I have just enough hand positions to stay comfy on my regular 30ish mile rides and it's nice and light! I like them so much that I am going to attempt making my own out of carbon fiber.

[@arnolddumm]

Very impressive,! Good luck.

[@LibertarianBiker]

My personal favorite: the drop bar flipped upside down.

[@bigchodebomb]

what.

[@vfgjasminebaker]

Bum bars lol. Good for wheelies.

[@canyouopopop3012]

Menace

[@jamesfiegel9675]

The barfly style😜

[@GotStrightEdge]

Love my nitto moustache bars. My 86 Schwinn is heavy as is but with my added Wald double rear cage it handles like a truck. Drop bars where not giving me the turning radius I needed and flats where not comfortable. Moustache bars just gave me the turning and comfort I needed, and they look awesome!

[@banjomechanic]

Moustache bars are the shit. Love ‘em.

[@GotStrightEdge]

@@banjomechanic right! Just about to throw them on my wabi since my Schwinn is no longer in service...rip

[@shiftintohigh5564]

Carbon compact drops are the bomb! Yes wider is better breathing. Man, do I have a collection of stems from over time. Also, if you ride much aero bars are amazing!

[@benazoulay3673]

great video but there are a couple points I'd like to add: firstly I think that with any change of handlebars a change of stem will probably benefit and second I'm very surprised you didn't mention upright bars! I love them and while they don't offer many hand positions (although some kind of do) they're really underrated!! great video as always :)

[@Sir_Arlin]

first off zack. why no love for the mustache bars? there a great alternative to drop bars with just as many hand holds. also would my bike have to be a fixed gear to submit it to fixie points? i only have a touring bike right now.

[@denysmclean3925]

Its when he said when you're able to breathe better. I took a regular breath while sittin on my couch getting ready laundry I notice how much more air i have now vs when I'm out and about on my bike with drop bars

[@andrewbrown6462]

I just put bull horns on a few months back to replace the flat bar that was originally there. Note: I cut those down to a much narrower width which was great in traffic but horrible on climbs which is about half of my commute (round trip) The bulls extended my reach to more closely match the measurements I need. I put TT style break levers on bc my knees can't withstand hard breaking.

[@mattm9689]

Why do I watch these I’m not a beginner. Been rising over 7 years but I still find these entertaining.

[@tydiggs9117]

Excellent and straight forward information.

[@mellissanash7517]

I am liking the idea of the Surly Moloko, could pair well with that sweet All-City.

[@Jonmc511]

I love love love my bmx handlebars and gooseneck on my mtb. I tried other flatbars with different angles, but I feel bmx look very good and ride awesome. I ride all day like I could when I was a kid. Looks like a bmx on steroids. They look very aggressive especially riding crazy FAST! I don't feel the jolting from the uneven pavement on my hands, wrist and shoulders. All of that is on my suspension seat post, cushioned padded seats and standard suspension front forks and 2 inch tires, Feels like a soft tail frame. My hands up to my shoulders are relaxed and so is my rear end. Aero dynamics? I can reach well beyond 20mph with my 500w bafang motor w peddle assist. It's pure peddle assist by choice. Even without the motor, I feel it's a big upgrade over a flatbar with my upright position. My legs have more weight to push the pedals. Making my bike feel lighter. I Love all my bmx-mtb bikes, motorized or not!

[@andreyv116]

Swept back (30 deg) and bolt-on aero bars spaced shoulder width apart for headwinds and 15+ mph.

[@SkeetSystem]

I have two bikes, one with compact drop and one with ergo drop. I like them both for different reasons--compact drop is definitely ideal and gives you a lot of good options for positioning. The bike with the ergo drop bar has a relaxed/endurance geometry (it was my first bike and I didn't understand geometry), so there was too much head tube stack for me to get as low as I wanted to go. So I find the deeper drop got me as low as I wanted to be on the front end and the "flat curve" section makes it more comfortable to stay in the drops.

[@alfiecycles4875]

I'm about to Start my first fix gear build. I've been planning for months to get it right.

[@citrOhm]

One plus to the bullhorn - I feel that I have a better control over my fg than with a riser bar, with a bullhorn I can skip better, and because I'm 190cm I need the long place :) And I hurt my knee with a drop bar once, and I didn't use the lower position.

[@daeganpatterson9630]

I ride bull horns with a long stem and I really like it. I live by laguna beach (Dana point) and there are tons of hills, they help with climbing a lot .

[@alinafemahmood1150]

Dude thankyou sooo much i was looking for some answers and i got them just from you i culden’t find my answers all over the internet Thankyou 😄

[@TheFriendofnight]

My freewheel is a riser. Great for everything except climbing. My roadie has ergo drops from ritchey... Tho you made compact sound pretty nice... Time to go shopping!!

[@dylanthornton2175]

In terms of choosing width, it’s ‘err’ on the side of wider bars, not ‘error’ on the side of wide bars…🤘

[@scottfox6271]

As always, just a great informative piece. I was wondering about Trekking bars or Butterfly bars with even more hand positions to choose from.

[@dahee_]

I'm using bullhorns, and I'm finding some drop bars to be aerodynamic; wish I could purchase a set of TT/U bars Drops are the most comfortable out of all I tried, but it looks a bit weird on my bike. Dunno why

[@LandTorpedo69]

I plan on installing my bullhorn handlebars sort of at like a 45 degree angle. I'm mostly just buying them because I've start experiencing hand discomfort and numbness using a regular bar and thought a more neutral grip would help.

[@c.s.g5139]

I put SE racing bars and stem on my retrpspec single gear...im luving it!

[@nerdygurl]

Hi Zach, I have track bars. They match up with my shoulders, and I enjoy climbing in da drops. Yo, bout them fixie points?

[@MVBriscoVolante]

Yo zach, you neglected to mention 2017's hottest new handlebar trend that usurps 2016's 700+mm mountain riser trend - townie bars! Although I haven't jumped on it, I bet I will be pressured to eventually. Also I plan on submitting my whip to you for critique. Woo!

[@OliverPickard]

zach you need to figure your bar tape man, and cinelli giro d'italia bars are a classic for a reason there awesome

[@chinavirus3765]

I ride 42cm FSA Omega Compact drop bars

[@Beatnik_]

Brandon Owen same😂

[@oefzdegoeggl]

I'm using bullhorns with bar-end brake leavers.

[@moritzkoopmann6771]

Nice Video👍(as always) I Ride the dropbars you recvomendet and I Really like them.

[@moritzkoopmann6771]

P.S.: Did you receive my e-mail? (white raleigh frame)

[@FreeUpTheWeed]

Good timing for this video! Haha I just cut some spare bars into bullhorns to make climbs a bit easier. I do love the drop bar try hard mode,overtaking roadies on the fixed gear cranking at a million rpm is hilarious(probably for both parties) lol

[@FreeUpTheWeed]

So thanks! Great bits of information, especially for those just learning. Always learn something even after riding for aaaages, new to owning a fixed gear though, loving it so far! About as maintenance free as it gets really (Y)

[@dc.tm28]

The looping string technique is so big brain time moment. How did I not think of it... lol

[@RoughBeardBlaine]

Fantastic video. Thank you very much for the information!

[@strategicthinker8899]

Simple. Riser "flat bar" with "bar ends" INSIDE the grips. You get drop bar position with the control of the flat bar.

[@jbirdperez6088]

True ...true and true Great job brotha !!

[@jeffreybarruga257]

Deda crononeros low pros with grippy DSP 2.5 lizard skins bar tape is a great combo!

[@andrewhood1102]

i ride a Salsa Bell Lap. the added flair is nice on a drop.

[@DaviaFleming]

I ride an origin8 flatbar with some compact barends. It's like bullhorns but without the ridiculous reach.

[@scottiemanners]

Dang, I thought you were going to get into butterfly, aerobars, H-Bars, and hornbars too. The different touring types

[@Oliviaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Wrist pain ISNT caused by risers. Wrist pain is caused by bad bike fit, probably stem too long, resulting in you leaning over your bars too much and putting too much weight on your hands. You can get wrist pain on risers, flats, bullhorns, drops, anything.

[@bb3866]

Jake Swift Totally Agree. I can ride all day long with my risers no problem. With drops I’m pretty miserable after about 10 miles. I don’t need a bunch of hand positions. One comfortable position is enough for me.

[@Megazord716]

Love your vids, but you should tighten up your cloth tape game. Perhaps consider shellacking the tape once on to provide a protective coating from dirt, as well as providing a waterproof barrier to prolong the life of the tape and prevent rot. You would get some real vintage points for the shellac!

[@Siberius-]

The less than $20 Easton Monkey bars in the video on eBay are now $50 USD and for me, 25-35 USD to ship from the UK. Though that doesn't sound as bad as the "reality" in my Australian currency, where all up it's 70 + 35-50 = $105-120

[@JoseGonzalez-uy2xn]

Wide riser bars 700mm when riding around / standard drop bars when trying hard

[@schmoulblah]

have a pro plt combo compact dropbar . pro make realy good stuffs . versatiles , beautifull , stiff and affordables

[@macviviezca]

Great video yet again! Can you start reviewing messenger bags? Just a thought! Cheers from the Philippines!

[@reinismartinsons]

Just use a backpack

[@TheMatzoman]

Get a Bagaboo or Trashbag (and yes, the company is called trashbags)

[@jesusm.candelario2859]

:Excellent, excellent vid. Highly specific and detailed. Very informative, very good. Thanks.

[@LarsEchterhoff]

The drop is not the most aero position while you are seated. You expose more arm to the wind. Most aero while in the seat fighting head winds are the hoods. Lower arm is in almost horizontal and offers no plane to the wind. The drops are almost only useful as soon as you get up on the bike and want to throw some serious watts out while also not expose your upper body to the wind. ...the drops feel faster than they actually are. ;-)

[@stevechance4422]

Jones h bars rules!!

[@Conformist55]

I'm running bullhorns at the moment. I scored a pair of Cinelli Mash horns off eBay for a great price. Love them.

[@owenchuarbx]

Drops are common on Road Bikes though

[@RelicWessels]

Great video! Thank you for all the info you provide!

[@jessemonico168]

Zach, I've been binge watching your videos. But... Why not geared bikes?

[@johajoha460]

Hey Zach I'm a starter fixed gear rider in Amsterdam so the bike takes some serious weather damage and also I'm not always riding asphalt streets. Any recommendations for day to day commute in a city like this with a fixed gear. Also maybe a recommendation for the next bike to buy ;)

[@dulcimerjunkie8516]

Just bought myself a State Delfin and a set of drops like my old days as a roadie. Bolted them on, took them for a short spin, and immediately regretted getting them. Just too low for me. Back to the stock risers for now.

[@myscreen2urs]

Cruiser bars!!

[@bruhmaxxer]

I wonder why you didn't talk about the option of using a combo of risers/flat bar and bar ends.

[@bb3866]

Drop bars suck unless you do nothing but race. Flats and risers are the only way to go for city riding. Proper fit and you will have no issue with wrist pain with flats or risers.

[@eskimoquinn1]

What about cruiser bars? So much comfort.

[@yateswebb]

No love for swept back bars. Would love to hear more! Though I imagine you have another video on the topic ha

[@b5thomas7]

Type of front rack and basket? Pros and Cons of front rack/basket vs. rear with panniers? Thanks!

[@Andy-qp7eq]

hi zach, I'm looking at getting a single speed bike with a freewheel. apart from the freehub and brakes, everything else you talk of should be the same right??

[@hacker001sg]

@zac gallardo where di you get the front basket from?

[@douby1203]

Pizza hut

[@marcuspotter3794]

i ride bullhorns bores love them lol makes my hill climes a lot easier on my commute to work every day lol 2hills 2 down hills lol what i don't like about them well its that head wind lol and when I got my ww2 bsa all boult up to fixed ide love to send you some pics to do a show lols

[@FreeUpTheWeed]

marcus potter I just cut an old pair of drop bars into bullhorns. Just couldn't get enough grip/leverage (with only one brake hood) up hills. Can't see any downside except I prefer the look of drop bars.. The bullhorns actually have more length than the hood does, as well as being symmetrical should make climbs a bit easier!lol

[@jakobw135]

What about those who want to ride UPRIGHT using RISERS with GRIP ENDS, like the Ergon GP5? Is there a bar end with an L-shape similar in length to the lower portion of the DROP -BAR?

[@abdullezama2033]

Nice video and nice channel. could you make a video with the best under budget gravel bikes ?

[@RIXXTA86]

AWESOME..GREAT REVIEW!

[@cmdann8]

Hey, random question, but are you a John Green fan?? I get some John Green vibes from your voice and cadence in parts of this video lol. In the best way possible.

[@yuedatte]

I really enjoy your videos, keep it up. You just made a subscriber. BTW could you make a vid on the Aventón Mataro??? Greetings from Berlin!!!!

[@dervonnebenan8232]

yuedatte komm erstmal nach dessau, dann weißt du was ne große stadt ist 🤘

[@dervonnebenan8232]

***** niiice

[@Impalahaula]

yuedatte I bought the cordoba on Zach's recommendation. It's really great bike.

[@yuedatte]

Zach Gallardo looking forward to this!!

[@yuedatte]

Sam Tijerina can't decide between the Córdoba and the Mataro.

[@Silhy12345]

Great video!! Do you know the name of those brakes? They look sick! (Looking for good looking breaks for my fixed gear atm)

[@cam_machi]

I ride droppers that are super narrow. I'm 6'4 and use 36-34cm ctc handlebars

[@DavidAlsh]

I have shimano ultegra clipless pedals (came with the bike). Would Odyssey twisted fit? How do I find pedals like that would?

[@CainSuzuko]

Nice cut Zach

[@Beatnik_]

I ride with wide risers and some compact drop I could never stick to some bars I'm always switch between them. one week I'll ride my risers but the next get my drops 😂😂 it's to hard to stick to one bar for me

[@tomcatt1824]

I drink at all de bars..🚲..

[@ignacioinder]

Clear solid bruh

[@MrBati122]

Awesome video man! Keep it up

[@JC-dy4ud]

Risers and two piece are best for freestylin

[@syafiqm9239]

i ride with an oem ENVE DH and an oem 3T aeronova drop

[@evrena5210]

I see that you wrap your handlebars (as everyone seems to do)...what do you wrap them with? Is that just for comfort?

[@classlessbozo317]

Asia’s answer to Flock of Seagulls

[@lildregtavlives3111]

I got controltech 1 drops bars 31.8

[@alexisvillaroman]

well said, thanks for the info.

[@karamarie6781]

YOU ARE AWESOME! THANK YOU!

[@ghvro3879]

Bull moose handlebars ftw

[@Polioooo0]

Compact drops ftw

[@yokoburii]

I ride some pretty low dropping pursuit bars

[@simonnewton122]

bullhorns on both of my bikes, they just feel right,😀

[@frontier_etc]

I just learned how to ride a bike, and after an hour of pedaling with a riser bar, I got some minor cyclists palsy. Still not 100% 4 days later, but slowly getting there.