Do you care what handlebar is mounted on your mountain bike? Chances are you do if you’re reading this article, but one takeaway from our recent gear survey is that many mountain bikers don’t.
Of the 2,100 people who filled out our survey, only 1,400 responded to the handlebar question. The 700 people (that’s a full 33%) who didn’t even bother to add a response should tell you something immediately. Not only that, of the 1,400 people who did respond, 54 took the time to tell us that they don’t have a handlebar preference whatsoever. Just considering the raw numbers, that’s enough votes to win “no preference” 6th place on the list below.
While many people might not care what bars they’re running, a handlebar swap can sometimes make a massive difference to how your mountain bike handles. Since a nice handlebar upgrade can often cost less than $100, it qualified it for my list of the 10 best upgrades for less than $100.
If you want to change up your stock cockpit setup, this list is a superb place to start.
7. Chromag OSX Fubars
Chromag’s OSX Fubars are their most popular DH/freeride handlebar, but at 780mm wide and just 310g, these alloy bars could be right at home on your trail bike as well.
- Width: 780mm
- Clamp Diameter: 31.8mm
- Rise: 25mm
- Upsweep: 5°
- Backsweep: 8°
- Material: 7000 series aluminum
- Weight: 310g
- MSRP: $86
6. ENVE Riser Bar
ENVE’s carbon-fiber riser bar is the second lightest handlebar on this list. Pair it with ENVE’s Carbon Stem from our best stems list for an ultralight cockpit.
- Width: 680-760mm
- Clamp Diameter: 31.8mm
- Rise: 23mm
- Upsweep: 5°
- Backsweep: 9°
- Material: Carbon
- Weight: 194g
- MSRP: $160
5. Easton Haven Carbon
The Easton Haven Carbon wins the day for the most votes out of all the bars in this popular handlebar brand’s lineup. It’s available in a few configurations, including a 35mm clamp diameter. For a burlier and wider option from Easton, be sure to check out the Havoc (also available in carbon).
- Width: 740mm
- Clamp Diameter: 31.8mm
- Rise: 20mm
- Upsweep: 5°
- Backsweep: 9°
- Material: Carbon
- Weight: 200g
- MSRP: $160
Honorable mention: Easton Haven 35 Carbon
4. Renthal Fatbar
Renthal’s standard aluminum Fatbar proved exceedingly popular in our survey. The Fatbar Lite received a decent number of votes as well.
- Width: 780mm
- Clamp Diameter: 31.8mm
- Rise: 10, 20, 30, and 38mm
- Upsweep: 5°
- Backsweep: 7°
- Material: Aluminum
- Weight: 360g
- MSRP: $85
Honorable Mention: Renthal Fatbar Lite
3. Race Face Atlas High Rise
While Race Face’s “Atlas” bar received dozens of votes, the “High Rise” was the most acclaimed version of the Atlas in our survey. The standard 31.8mm clamp version rises 32mm, but the newer 35mm clamp diameter bar rises an impressive 35mm. The 35mm version also measures 15mm wider (a full 800mm) and despite the extra width, weighs 40g less at 300g. The 300g weight of the 35 is the lightest weight for an aluminum bar on this list.
- Width: 785mm or 800mm
- Clamp Diameter: 31.8mm or 35mm
- Rise: 32mm or 35mm
- Upsweep: 4°
- Backsweep: 8°
- Material: Aluminum
- Weight: 340g or 300g
- MSRP: $80
2. Race Face Next 35 Carbon Bar
The Next 35 Carbon weighs a scant 180g, making it the lightest handlebar on this list! Despite its ultralight weight it still measures a respectable 760mm wide.
- Width: 760mm
- Clamp Diameter: 35mm
- Rise: 20mm
- Upsweep: 5°
- Backsweep: 8°
- Material: Carbon
- Weight: 180g
- MSRP: $170
1. Renthal Fatbar Carbon
Both Renthal and Race Face dominated the rankings, with multiple bar models from each brand scoring highly. While the Renthal Fatbar Carbon–the widest carbon bar on this list–managed to take the #1 spot, Race Face bars collectively scored 70% more votes than Renthal bars. That just goes to show how deep Race Face’s handlebar lineup truly is.
- Width: 780mm
- Clamp Diameter: 31.8mm
- Rise: 10, 20, 30, and 40mm
- Upsweep: 5°
- Backsweep: 7°
- Material: Carbon
- Weight: 225g
- MSRP: $165
I guess I’m a weirdo being that the only bars on this list that I’d ride are the Race Face Atlas being offered in 800mm width. I switched to 800’s a couple of years ago and have found them to have the best comfort and control for me over smaller bars. Currently, I have Chromag’s BZA’s and there is something to be said about the carbon dissipation of the background vibration that is otherwise amplified with most alloy bars.
First, Surly bars are one of the stupid attempts at ergonomics. Second, too bad true ergonomics aren’t more investigated and presented. That was one of the things that is going to alow me to ride as long as I can walk. I’m 60 years old. The long term standard in mountain bars created a bad problem with one of my shoulders and limited the amount of time I could ride at any given time. I bought a Jones bike with bars and the pain went away. A rigid bike no less. Made me think and started looking for more info on the ergonomics of the riding position related to hands, arms and shoulders. Since, I have found a few awesome brands enter the fray and have found some awesome bars that look almost “normal”.
Here is a great example by a company that makes a number of well thought out ergonimically designed pieces for bicycles.
https://sqlab-usa.com/products/311-mtb-high-handlebar
Jones H-Bar Loop FTW 😀