I'm struggling with HANDLEBARS - I NEED to pick one!

Рет қаралды 24,727

Күн бұрын

It's time to settle an internal debate with myself. Which handlebars feel the best and which ones am I going to pick?! For over a year now I've been trying to minimize the numbness in my hands on rides and even though it's a more serious medical/spinal issue for me, I need to find the best cockpit setup that will help minimize the effects.
Even though I know there are many variables to this equation (suspension, cockpit setup, body positioning, tire psi, etc.) I know handlebar compliance and geo is a large part of it. So we're gonna settle this now!
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⏲⏲ TIMECODES ⏲⏲
0:00 - INTRO
0:56 - THE BARS
3:10 - PNW RANGE BARS
8:59 - SQLAB 30X12 Aluminum
12:54 - SPANK SPIKE 35 with VIBRACORE
17:00 - FAAST FLEXX ENDURO BARS
21:32 - CONCLUSION
#mtb #mtbvideos #mtbcomponents #mtbover40 #pnwcomponents #spankcomponents #sqlab #faastflexx

Пікірлер: 76

@midlifeshredder 2 жыл бұрын

READ THIS: After about 4 weeks of riding with the Fasst Flexx bars I had an incident. Check out this video to find out what happened: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/o7qhm5OG3J_Vdo0.html

@MrStallion777 Жыл бұрын

I'm 60, hands are fine but I do get pain in triceps. Any suggestions?

@midlifeshredder Жыл бұрын

@@MrStallion777 Hmmm, could be a couple of factors. It could be not having your arms out enough when you ride, too tucked in? It could be the bar width (check out this video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rrOIn652qZmWpaM.html). It could also be your body position, maybe you're too far forward? Look at the bar rise, if you have little no rise in the bar then you're in more of a cross country racing style and that puts a lot of weight forward and on your arm muscles. It's hard to say but those are just some things to think about.

@jimmysavage258 Жыл бұрын

Good luck trying to find fast flex bars

@PatrickPecoraro 4 ай бұрын

Sweep is just as important to numbness as vibration dampening. As is bar width

@jeffjacksonmtb8236 2 жыл бұрын

Great video. Nice head-to-head-to-head-to-head comparison. I've also had trouble with hand numbness due to some cervical spine issues. I couldn't afford the Fasst Flexx bars, so I went with the OneUp carbon bars because of the touted horizontal stiffness and vertical compliance. The OneUp bars almost completely eliminated my numbness issues, plus they are much lighter! I haven't tried the Fasst Flexx bars yet, but would like to someday. Also, Fasst Flexx is in Washington, UT (near St. George). Thanks for the video and nice Fezzari Wire Peak, by the way!

@midlifeshredder 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jeff! And thanks for the update on their location. It sure why I thought it was Idaho. I had the OneUps and wish I had held into them but I mistaken an inefficient fork for non effective bars. Who knows, may try them again not that I’ve dialed in my suspension.

@christianscott6963 Жыл бұрын

Watching the video you can see how much your reaching out(extending) with your outside arm. Also I'd take as much rise too out of the steerer tube!! Will make you more upright sitting and take a little stress off the hands

@ianmangham4570 Жыл бұрын

That zeb fork you have is so awesome, I have an N.O.S Rockshox Recon SL ,it's like butter, so smooth and so tough 32mm ,my first Air Fork in 50 years of riding bikes ,I am well impressed. 💯🤠🙏🇬🇧

@midlifeshredder Жыл бұрын

The Zeb is a beast!

@michaelcafaro4022 Жыл бұрын

Recently built up a Ti WHY Wayward 29 plus hard tail. I had a Thompson x4 35 clamp with an atlas bar to match. The bike just didn’t feel right from the first few rides. I ditched the bar and stem for a 31.8 whiskey carbon bar and stem same dimensions. It totally transformed the bike for me as far as ride quality and feel. For trail or cross country use I will always go 31.8 here on out.

@midlifeshredder Жыл бұрын

I love the look of those Whiskey bars! I was looking at the No.9 in a 40mm rise 800mm width but they weren’t in stock at the time.

@mtbmadman011 Жыл бұрын

I would recommend spending a month or so on a bar and really try playing around w/ bar roll and brake lever plane and pad contact. At 63 yr old, and a veteran cyclist, my wrists and hand numbness will let me know when I need a fine adjustment.Spent many a year perfecting cockpit set up. Learned a lot from Arron Gwinny's recommendations and suggestions as well. W/ short finger digits, I run my levers loose so pad contact is when lever is closer to bar. This relaxes grip which reduces pump on the arms wrist etc. Brake lever angle is another critical set up and I find a flatter plane 36 - 40 deg vs steep 50 - 60 angle for trail riding will reduce fatigue on numbness. I prefer a Renthal stiff as a brick bar as its a great Moto feel with great point and shoot performance. As of late I have also been enjoying the One Up carbon bars. Best of luck, Ride On!

@midlifeshredder Жыл бұрын

I probably should do an update on that video. I'm actually running the OneUp carbon bar with RevGrip Pro grips and they have worked so well for me. Again, nothing will totally eliminate the numbness because of my spinal condition but this combination has drastically reduced the numbess to where on some shorter rides I do not get any numbness at all! 🤙🏼

@mtbmadman011 Жыл бұрын

@@midlifeshredder I find getting a chiropractic adjustment helps a lot as well. My doc will also crack my wrist and finger joints . Ooh so good! Best of luck! Wait till you hit over 60 lol

@midlifeshredder Жыл бұрын

Every 4 weeks I'm on that table! Haha! Trying to stay ahead of the curve (pun intended!)!

@SubversionGarage Жыл бұрын

I put Vibrocore bars on my hardtail, and it made quite the difference.

@justgo4033 Жыл бұрын

I find Rolling my bars 5-10 degrees backwards helps with the numbness. The neutral position hurts my outer hand and to far back i get pain in my thumb and index finger. I also find 8 degrees is my sweet spot .

@eddiebaby22 Жыл бұрын

Thanks

@mtb10s40 2 жыл бұрын

I don’t get hand numbness, my arms and shoulders get fatigued sooner than I’d like. My remedy is to put on 80mm rise bars. That way I sit up more than “planking”. Kind of like moto setup where handlebars are around height of your waist, not your knees. Takes weight off your hands. You may only need 30-50mm rise. Good Luck.

@ianmangham4570 Жыл бұрын

I have the Answer Pro Taper 50mm riser 720mm AWESOMENESS 🤘😎🙏🔥

@built2last409 2 жыл бұрын

Wrist angle is critical in maintaining comfort in the hand. I would suggest looking into SQ Labs 12 degree and 16 degree back-sweep bars. They are made in carbon and aluminum, and as well in two different levels of stiffness. With your concerns of small bump compliance the greater flex is a great way to mitigate that. I use the 12 degree and they are great. If my sizing didn't always put me in the middle of the range I would use the 16 degree sweep. But, then you lose some front center length and I don't want a longer stem. But, in your case the extra back-sweep would possibly not only align your wrist but also by shortening your front center sit you a little more upright and therefore take even more weight off of your wrists. I've been riding and racing Mtn. Bikes since 1985. I have a lot of experience experimenting with different set ups. Hope this helps.

@midlifeshredder 2 жыл бұрын

The SQ Labs 30x was the ones I used in the test. I did like the 12 degree backsweep I just didn’t feel it was supportive for more aggressive riding. However, as I mentioned in the video I didn’t do enough diligence and try a longer stem or rolling the bars to see if that changed anything. The Faast Flexx bars do come in a 12 degree backsweep and I may give those a try next couples with a 50mm stem. An update video may come of that.

@built2last409 2 жыл бұрын

@@midlifeshredder Sorry to have missed the mentioning of the SQ Lab bar. Was a real busy day. Finally just watched the video all the way through. Also, the Ergon GA3 grip that is similar to the SQ Lab grip, but much more available to try. It has the extension that supports the palm really well and I feel is the perfect compliment to the SQ Lab bar. The overall support of the hand and wrist with the combo of the SQ Lab carbon 12 degree standard bar (less flex) and the GA3 are the most comfortable cockpit I have experienced yet. It is surprising how much the grips transformed the feeling of support, it was the missing link for me. I did roll mine (the bars) quite a bit as well, I'd say around 30/40 degrees up from flat. I'm 5' 9'' on a size medium 2021 Ibis Ripley to give context. I ride a fairly aggressive position, the rise is whatever is not flat but only one level of rise up, don't remember exactly what that was. The last thing I will mention is if your saddle is sloping down you put more weight on your hands, the more close to level your saddle tilt is the more upper body support you will feel. If you can ride level to even ever so slightly nose/tip up you will take even more weight off your hands. But, that can lead to numbness in other places that really no bueno!

@midlifeshredder 2 жыл бұрын

@@built2last409 you’re right on the saddle, I’ve played with that position a lot as well and have had to find the right balance between comfort, anti ball squish, optimal power distribution to the legs and so on. With a 1 degree tilt down it seems that’s the best so far. I’ve also tried the GA3 grip and they actually hurt more than they helped for me but I’ve heard those have helped others as well. I love my PNW loam grips especially since they came out with the XL thickness. It’s getting there, like I said, may try the 12 degree backsweep on the Flexx bars next and see if it improves even more. 🙏🏼

@K.V.P14 Жыл бұрын

Good video , but I feel the only way to get a true test would to be to try each handle bar a different day. Trying them all in a single day is a harder way to gage subtle differences as your arms will already be fatigued. Just my opinion , great video , keep up the good work 👏

@midlifeshredder Жыл бұрын

I wasn’t riding that long to get fatigued with each loop. I believe in total each round was less than a mile so not really enough time to get fatigued. Plus I had about about 30 minutes to relax between each ride while I swapped the bars.

@awfully.average 7 ай бұрын

my parts of the trails arent that ngarly , and i've come up with some techniques , on the calm trails and long climbs , i pay attention to not gripping too tightly , i sometimes pinch the bars between my thumb and fingers so that my palms are off the grips providing relieve . and on my ride home on the tarmac , i ride handsfree , that is the best

@Douger318 9 ай бұрын

i just got some 80mm rise for my 27.5 s rockhopper its a 1-9 speed set up more like a bmx bike. built iut with all different parts, see how the 80mm will help, 8 back surgeries.

@PhilHeid 2 жыл бұрын

You need to try OneUp carbon bars if you haven't already. I've not seen anything that comes close for shock absorbing comfort. I'm 62, ride DH and I'm also running Rev Grips...

@midlifeshredder 2 жыл бұрын

Tried them a little over a year ago but sold them. May give them another go with these grips.

@Zetler Жыл бұрын

That $350 FAASTBAR is a huge ask, plus it looks like "adaptive" gear so the fashion is questionable. I'm old, not disabled.

@AFV85 4 ай бұрын

Great video im looking for new bars and stem just now, I just took Delivery of the 2024 cube action team 160 the stem its well ugly and 50mm but came With nice carbon bars but again I'm still Set in my old ways as much as anything near flat bars don't do it for me but I will take it out foe a blast about to just see im not jumping the gun abit don't think I will be but just cause its new you feel you gotta give it a go eh lol im Looking at Rethnal bars and stem but was going to order a cheaper Chinese stem as all made from same Factories just unlicensed so will be solid enough to test before splashing out on something that won't work I like them flex bars they look great im 38 I don't trust modern carbon especially bars that's really the only reason I want them Swapped out just not a thing I feel comfortable with and think it'll hold me back having this in the back of my mind! Rethnal carbon fatbars are snapping like twigs just now all seem to be on left side just before thee clamp thicker part maybe bad manufacturers batch a Friday special as we call them!. Haha

@midlifeshredder 4 ай бұрын

Check out Title stems, been putting them on all my bikes lately. 🤘🏼

@nathankleber9150 11 ай бұрын

Spank spoon 60's are super comfortable

@matthewallmark7275 Жыл бұрын

I get a pain where my thumb joins my hand going into my wrist. Currently using 9 degree backsweep (38mm rise) Nukeproof bars but tempted to try 10 degrees (not sure 1 degree makes much difference?). My wrists look turned in quite a bit

@midlifeshredder Жыл бұрын

I find handlebars are a lot like shoes. You have try on quite a few to find one that fits!

@killgates9890 Жыл бұрын

I putymy controle up, that way i dont attack my nervs in the hand as much

@bostondye3736 Жыл бұрын

Hand numbness is a result you your mid section (core) getting fatigued and you placing more and more weight on your hands as your ride goes on. The only way to truly address this is with off the bike therapy. Most people just don't want to put in the work.

@midlifeshredder Жыл бұрын

Very true! So thankful for my chiropractor, without his treatment over the years I probably wouldn’t be able to ride at all. Also thanks full for RevGrips, they have minimized my hand numbness so I can keep riding longer!

@RobertGibb 2 жыл бұрын

one up

@schnawgalawg 8 ай бұрын

Hello, I feel that I am needing wider bars because I feel like I'm not in as strong of a position as possible. After watching your video I've narrowed it down to PNW range gen 3 35, Spank Spoon 35, and Deity racepoint 35 and I'm not sure what would be best for me. I plan on a lot of enduro racing this year, can you give me any advice?

@midlifeshredder 8 ай бұрын

Unfortunately bars are another one of those components that you just have to try out. I’d first recommend finding out what your bar width and backsweep measurements are. There are videos by the guys at Joy of Bike channel that dive into this. Knowing your bar width and backsweep will help you determine which bar is best for you.

@josephawatson 2 жыл бұрын

I have an Abajo Peak with the 35mm clamp. the 35 clamp steps up the stiffness in the bars. I had issues with hand numbness from years typing on a computer. I recently switched to Carbon Fiber bars from trail one.

@midlifeshredder 2 жыл бұрын

Would love to do an all carbon bar mashup, Trail One, One Up, Renthal, etc. Would need a serious pay increase for that to happen though! 🤣

@justanothermountainbiker6958 2 жыл бұрын

why would you wanna ride a 35mm bar if you're gonna complain about stiffness? just ride 31.8 then.. 🤷‍♂️

@midlifeshredder 2 жыл бұрын

All the bar except the Spanks were 31.8.

@tinivations Жыл бұрын

How do you like the Trail One carbon bars? I was thinking about the, but really haven't seen a lot of opinions on them.

@josephawatson Жыл бұрын

@@tinivations I love them. Much lighter than bars that came on my bike and they seem to help my wrists on longer rides. Alloy bars with 35mm clamp seemed to hurt my wrists.

@threeinchesoffury Жыл бұрын

Use a coil shock up front...trust me..it changes things...I use the Asc3 kit from push and it changes things!!!!!

@midlifeshredder Жыл бұрын

Something to think about. However my new Rev Grips are helping.

@midlifeflow 2 жыл бұрын

I'd like to get one of those MTB over 40 top caps. Do you sell them or plan on selling them?

@midlifeshredder 2 жыл бұрын

Not at the moment but if I get enough interest would totally be a possibility!

@midlifeflow 2 жыл бұрын

@@midlifeshredder I'll keep an eye out then!

@troyeaston3479 Жыл бұрын

Hi. Have you and your chiropractor figured out a diagnosis for your hand numbness because I too have hand numbness which I also think is linked to a problem with my lower spine. My numbness starts around 20-30 minutes into a ride mostly in my left hand. Doctors, I have gone to, haven't been able to help me so far.

@midlifeshredder Жыл бұрын

It has something to do with the curvature of my neck in which we’re working on. But to help mitigate the numbness I do a series of exercises before my ride. I have a video on this: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gsCaZ8yE17fJiJ8.html

@troyeaston3479 Жыл бұрын

@@midlifeshredder Thank you so much for getting back to me and letting me know. It's getting to the point where I am putting off rides because of the discomfort. I will check out your other video.

@theneuz3131 5 ай бұрын

Have you tried renthal fat bars , hands down the best for myself with similar medical issue .

@midlifeshredder 5 ай бұрын

From what I’ve read and heard from others is that they are a stiffer bar with less compliance. Great for racing. But no I haven’t tried them.

@rmoore4yris 4 ай бұрын

@midlifeshredder y Yup...That's accurate with my experience on Renthal bars. Great for a DH racer, not an average trail rider. In fact, the reason I'm watching "which bar" type videos is to switch out. PNW just may get my money before oneup.

@dmweyland Жыл бұрын

you should post your fork settings as well. i think your fork is not fully tuned in. possibly too much air/ high sag, lower sag add volume reducers speed up rebound. high speed rebound a few clicks. depending on weight.

@dmweyland Жыл бұрын

my fox 38 would eat up that terrain no worries.

@midlifeshredder Жыл бұрын

My fork is pretty dialed. I've actually found a combo that's working and has minimized the numbness. I've been running the OneUp carbon bar with Rev grips and that has been the sweet spot. I'll post a video update shortly, I want to spend more time on this but so far, so good!