Thread: Bar width vs stem length

Right now I'm running a 90mm stem with a 680ish mm bar and am comfortable with the riding position as far as how forward I am is concerned. I'd like to keep it the way it is, but would like to get on a shorter stem and wider bar. How many millimeters of additional bar width is the equivalent of a millimeter of stem length (roughly)?

Maybe 25mm of bar width per 10mm stem length.

I went from a 685/90 combo to a 745/60 combo. It's definitely a bit shorter, perhaps too short for my frame geo and cockpit preferences. i'm looking to grab a 70 or 75mm stem to experiment with.

There is no formula.

Get the stem length you want then play with the bar width to find what is comfortable by moving your grips and controls in and out on the bar before cutting it.

^^^winner^^^

it WILL take time to get used to a different riding position.

My plan is to go to a 750mm bar and a 75mm stem.

sorry for this drift.
is there a rule of thumb for stem length?
for example. should the bars obscure the front hub while in your normal riding position?
or should the bars be it front or behind the hub?

50mm/785mm! It just feels good!

Originally Posted by buttahflake

sorry for this drift.
is there a rule of thumb for stem length?
for example. should the bars obscure the front hub while in your normal riding position?
or should the bars be it front or behind the hub?

Not really. go experiment like others have said.

Not that this is always an option, but when I bought a new bike at my LBS they threw in a fitting and shock setup with the purchase- this allowed me to spend a half hour or so swapping out bars and stems at will and then purchase what finally felt just right. 60/780 was the winner. Maybe if you feel like throwing down for a fitting you can cycle through a few combos until you get the cockpit feel that you like.

Originally Posted by biggins

Not that this is always an option, but when I bought a new bike at my LBS they threw in a fitting and shock setup with the purchase- this allowed me to spend a half hour or so swapping out bars and stems at will and then purchase what finally felt just right. 60/780 was the winner. Maybe if you feel like throwing down for a fitting you can cycle through a few combos until you get the cockpit feel that you like.

I would do this, but I'm on a tight budget. I already know I like it the way that it is as far as roominess goes, I just want a bit more leverage on the bars and a bit less leverage to fight on the stem.

If I were trying to be analytic about the deal, trying to mimic the same reach, I'd choose the bar I want first, then sit on my bike as-is with the bar in my hands, resting on top of the existing stem, and see where along the stem's length it puts me with my newer, wider-hands position.

But I just hopped onto shorter stem (from 90 to 65), wider (from 28 to 29.5) bar without any of that nonsense though. I adapted. You will too.

Great thread. I've been giving this stuff alot of thought lately.
(Admittedly, I am a bit of a bike jong, despite how much I love riding.)

My bike has always seemed a bit loose in the steering department. I know, could be lots of things. But anyway, the bike came stock, still is, with a 120mm (!) stem, and 650mm wide bars. I've never felt I needed wider bars, but I've been thinking a shorter stem might make steering less "twitchy". Been thinking like a 90mm or 100mm stem might be the solution. Problem is, I have a long torso, so I like the long top tube, and (?) longer stem.

Thoughts?

Wider bars.

They help get you out front by spreading your arms out.

Originally Posted by beaterdit

They help get you out front

And keep you there whether you want to be or not


There's nothing more entertaining that looking at kids with 32" bars that spread their arms out so much they can't lean back or move the bike side to side.

My bike came with 680mm and a 60mm stem. I switched out for a 745mm bar last year and the bike feels better in absolutely every way. I did what people above said and sat at the shop and tried a few bars out.

I then proceeded to wreck myself and knick an artery in my forearm and get 8 stitches after forgetting that I had a much wider bar on than normal and crossed my wheel up mid-drop.

Originally Posted by ricorides

Great thread. I've been giving this stuff alot of thought lately.
(Admittedly, I am a bit of a bike jong, despite how much I love riding.)

My bike has always seemed a bit loose in the steering department. I know, could be lots of things. But anyway, the bike came stock, still is, with a 120mm (!) stem, and 650mm wide bars. I've never felt I needed wider bars, but I've been thinking a shorter stem might make steering less "twitchy". Been thinking like a 90mm or 100mm stem might be the solution. Problem is, I have a long torso, so I like the long top tube, and (?) longer stem.

Thoughts?

wider bars slow your steering, and therefore make it "less twitchy". a shorter stem will make the bike easier to wheelie/manual/jump/wheelie drop, but also requires different riding position so you don't wheelie up every climb.

Originally Posted by marshalolson

wider bars slow your steering, and therefore make it "less twitchy". a shorter stem will make the bike easier to wheelie/manual/jump/wheelie drop, but also requires different riding position so you don't wheelie up every climb.

This might be a problem then, as my bike is super wheelie happy as it is. I honestly should have gone with a larger frame, but the small is so whippy and fun. I might just go with a 720mm bar and keep the stem then. I won't be doing it until June anyway, so I have time to decide.

i have some race face atlas bars (31.5" wide/785mm), you are welcome to for shipping if you want them. they are retired off my DH bike. defiantly beat cosmetically, and not something i would suggest using long term, but fine if you want to cut them down, hit a few trail rides to find the right width, and then order whatever makes sense...

Originally Posted by kidwoo

And keep you there whether you want to be or not


There's nothing more entertaining that looking at kids with 32" bars that spread their arms out so much they can't lean back or move the bike side to side.

It's like people don't realize that they can cut the bar down some. Every grom, short guy, and non amazon chick that think they need the same width bar as Rennie needs a slap up side the head and handed a pipe cutter.

Originally Posted by shirk

It's like people don't realize that they can cut the bar down some. Every grom, short guy, and non amazon chick that think they need the same width bar as Rennie needs a slap up side the head and handed a pipe cutter.

Yeah but then they'd lose e-rider "legit" status.

Originally Posted by marshalolson

i have some race face atlas bars (31.5" wide/785mm), you are welcome to for shipping if you want them. they are retired off my DH bike. defiantly beat cosmetically, and not something i would suggest using long term, but fine if you want to cut them down, hit a few trail rides to find the right width, and then order whatever makes sense...

That would be awesome! Are you in SLC yet? I could just pick it up if you are.

So angry with the wide bars.

Originally Posted by creaky fossil

Yeah but then they'd lose e-rider "legit" status.

Might also affect returns on their trust fund.

Originally Posted by Yeah!

Maybe 25mm of bar width per 10mm stem length.

Yes! My 50mm Havoc stem coupled with a 125mm bar feels just about right...