How To Adjust Mountain Bike Handlebars

The most common issue with mountain bike handlebars is that they are too high. This will make it difficult for the rider to keep their weight in the middle of the bike, and can lead to a lot of discomfort.

There are two ways to adjust mountain bike handlebars. The first is by adjusting the stem, which is a bolt that attaches from the handlebars to the frame of the bike. The second way is by adjusting spacers, which are small metal rings that go between the stem and handlebar and help regulate how far apart they are from each other.

Can you adjust the height of handlebars on a mountain bike?

If spacers aren’t enough to achieve the effect you want, you can flip the stem to make a further change to the bar height. Most mountain bikes will be set up with the stem in a positive position, creating an upward angle, but you can use it the other way round.^[1]

What angle should your handlebars be at?

On drop handlebars, the ends should angle downward five to ten degrees. This flattens the part of the bar behind the brake levers, turning it into a good and comfortable place to put your hands. Never, ever rotate the bar up, so that the ends aim upward of horizontal.^[2]

Should handlebars be higher than seat on mountain bike?

Your handlebars should be about 1 or 2 inches higher than your seat as too high can also cause problems. So it should be high enough that you can go downhill without stress, but still low enough that you can climb without leaning forward too much.^[3]

How high should a MTB stem be?

You will find it hard to ‘work’ the terrain and you’ll be generally unbalanced from being so upright. On most modern mountain bikes you should be aiming for a stem length somewhere between 50mm and 80mm. Long stems are more stable when climbing using narrow handlebars. That’s it.^[4]

What is the correct handlebar height?

For a performance road position, the top of the handlebar should be about 5-6 cm below the mid-point of the saddle. 4. For a recreational road bike position, the top of the handlebar should be level with the mid-point of the saddle, or maybe a couple of centimetres below.^[5]

How do I know if my handlebars are too low?

When a bike’s handlebar is too low, you’ll know about it. Symptoms include tingling and numbness in the hands, aches and pains in the shoulders, neck, and lower back, and soreness or numbness in the nether regions. The same problems can result from the handlebar being too far forward.^[6]

What angle should MTB handlebars be?

Mountain bike bars typically have 7-9 degrees of backsweep with 4-6 degrees of upsweep. Additionally, a bar’s rise is the actual measurement of how high above the stem the ends of your handlebar sit. Switching to a “taller” bar is essentially the same as adding spacers under your stem.^[7]

What is correct seat height on a bike?

Measure from the floor to the top of the book spine. Multiply that number by 0.883, and subtract 4mm (1/8th inch). The result is your proper bike seat height, measured from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the seat, along the seat tube.^[8]

Should my handlebars be higher than my seat?

Your handlebars should be at least as high as your seat, or even above it, so you can ride upright. If your handlebars are lower than your seat you’ll be pushed into your handlebars, and you’ll place more stress on your wrists, arms, neck, and back.^[9]

Where should your handlebars be on a bike?

The general rule for adjusting handlebars is that they should be set above the height of the seat for a more upright and comfortable riding position, and below the height of the seat for a more forwarding-leaning, performance oriented position.^[10]

Why are MTB stems so short?

Using a shorter stem gives the bike quicker handling characteristics and a more responsive feel. A longer stem shifts your body weight towards the front of the bike and puts you in a better pedaling position, especially on those steep climbs.^[11]

Does a shorter stem affect handling?

Stem length is one of a number of factors, along with head tube angle and fork rake, that affects a bike’s handling. Generally speaking, a shorter stem will result in faster handling, while a longer stem will result in slower, more predictable handling.^[12]