Rise Bars vs. Flat Bars

Which are better? This is a question for mountain bikers and commuters. Road cyclists have drop bar questions of their own to solve.

It comes down to aggressiveness vs comfort & adjustability. Rise bars allow for a more upright seating position. They also allow for more adjustability, since you can rotate the bars forward or up at any angle. This changes the virtual top tube length, and the fit of the bike. Most extreme riders ( Downhill & Freeride ) prefer rise bars, which are available with different rises and lengths ( 810mm and 780mm are popular ). The 810mm bars are best for people with wide shoulders, and 780mm is the narrow shoulder option.

Straight bars are lighter and they allow you to get into a deeper tuck. Cross Country riders, and some commuters prefer them. Otherwise they are more restrictive, since there is not much adjustability in the handlebars ( normal handlebars have only 3 or 5 degree bend ).

In general rise bars are better for new cyclists, since adjustment is quicker and easier