Handle Bars & Bar Ends

Handlebars represent the central steering unit of a bicycle -- the cockpit, if you will -- and have a tremendous influence on subjective ride feel. Influencing a cyclist's choice of handlebar should be upper body positioning and handling, or the rider's control of the bike. Materials used for handlebars include steel, aluminum and carbon. A handlebar should have good damping properties in order to absorb road bumps and to protect the rider from tension and pressure. Handlebars come in various shapes, depending on their area of use: trekking bikes are often equipped with multi-position handlebars to allow the cyclist to ride in an upright or elongated position. Racing bikes also offer adjustable grip positions, allowing for both an extremely crouched, aerodynamic position as well as upright seating. Handlebars on mountain bikes are typically either straight or offset, with offset MTB handlebars allowing a more upright seating position. The primary advantages of this are greater comfort and more downhill control, as the body's centre of gravity automatically shifts to the back. One can purchase so-called “bar ends” which mount on both ends of the handlebar, offering mountain bikers a variety of grips to choose from. These are particularly popular for uphill mountain rides.