Handle bars
- Thread starter tessdavi
- Start date
You need to find out what size handlebar you have, in the sense of where the handlebar attaches to the stem.
Swapping will affect the handling, this may not be an issue though
Most modern stems / handlebars are 31 8mm, the other size is 25.4mm.
Handlebar stem sizes are primarily determined by the diameter of the handlebar clamp and the length of the stem. The most common handlebar clamp diameters are 25.4mm (standard) and 31.8mm (oversized), while stem lengths vary widely depending on the bike type and rider preference, with road bikes typically using longer stems (80-130mm) and mountain bikes using shorter stems (40-80mm).
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Handlebar Clamp Diameters:
25.4mm: This is the traditional standard for many older road and city bikes.
31.8mm: This "oversized" diameter is now the more common standard for modern road and mountain bikes, offering greater strength and stiffness.
35mm: Introduced by Race Face, this even larger diameter is gaining traction in some aggressive mountain bike disciplines.
Stem Lengths:
Road Bikes:
Stems typically range from 80mm to 130mm or longer, with longer stems providing a greater reach and a more aggressive riding position.
Mountain Bikes:
Stems are generally shorter, ranging from 40mm to 80mm, offering greater maneuverability and control.
Gravel Bikes:
Stem lengths often fall between those of road and mountain bikes, with shorter stems (60-90mm) being more common to enhance maneuverability.
Trekking/City Bikes:
Stems are often shorter, typically around 60mm-90mm, for a more upright and comfortable riding posture.
Steerer Tube Sizes:
1 inch (25.4mm): This is common for older bikes and typically uses quill stems.
1 1/8 inch (28.6mm): This is the most common steerer tube size for modern bikes.
1 1/2 inch (38.1mm): Found on some gravity mountain bikes.
Other Considerations:
Stem Angle:
Stems also come in various angles, with the most common being +/-6° to +/-17°.
Stem Rise:
This refers to the angle at which the stem rises from the steerer tube, influencing handlebar height.
Swapping will affect the handling, this may not be an issue though
Most modern stems / handlebars are 31 8mm, the other size is 25.4mm.
Handlebar stem sizes are primarily determined by the diameter of the handlebar clamp and the length of the stem. The most common handlebar clamp diameters are 25.4mm (standard) and 31.8mm (oversized), while stem lengths vary widely depending on the bike type and rider preference, with road bikes typically using longer stems (80-130mm) and mountain bikes using shorter stems (40-80mm).
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Handlebar Clamp Diameters:
25.4mm: This is the traditional standard for many older road and city bikes.
31.8mm: This "oversized" diameter is now the more common standard for modern road and mountain bikes, offering greater strength and stiffness.
35mm: Introduced by Race Face, this even larger diameter is gaining traction in some aggressive mountain bike disciplines.
Stem Lengths:
Road Bikes:
Stems typically range from 80mm to 130mm or longer, with longer stems providing a greater reach and a more aggressive riding position.
Mountain Bikes:
Stems are generally shorter, ranging from 40mm to 80mm, offering greater maneuverability and control.
Gravel Bikes:
Stem lengths often fall between those of road and mountain bikes, with shorter stems (60-90mm) being more common to enhance maneuverability.
Trekking/City Bikes:
Stems are often shorter, typically around 60mm-90mm, for a more upright and comfortable riding posture.
Steerer Tube Sizes:
1 inch (25.4mm): This is common for older bikes and typically uses quill stems.
1 1/8 inch (28.6mm): This is the most common steerer tube size for modern bikes.
1 1/2 inch (38.1mm): Found on some gravity mountain bikes.
Other Considerations:
Stem Angle:
Stems also come in various angles, with the most common being +/-6° to +/-17°.
Stem Rise:
This refers to the angle at which the stem rises from the steerer tube, influencing handlebar height.
In case you can't understand the above advice, show us a few photos of your stem and the middle of your handlebars from a couple of angles.
The Motus is built to be a comfort bike and there's a good chance of straight bars not working well in that setting. Firstly check you've the right frame size and that the saddle's fairly high - typical 'comfort' posture. Then. when adjusting the angle of the grips small changes make a big difference. Otherwise try altering their height and reach (via the stem angle). Adjusting anything can entail correcting the other settings. If the issue is wrist or palm aches compare your grips to other ergo grips at your LBS.
If still unhappy there are handlebars with various amounts of sweep and rise that can work with your existing stem. If it has to be flat bars I'd zip tie a broom handle to the current bars before investing, and check how that feels.
If still unhappy there are handlebars with various amounts of sweep and rise that can work with your existing stem. If it has to be flat bars I'd zip tie a broom handle to the current bars before investing, and check how that feels.
One expects that going to straight bars one may end up going back to the swept bars purely for the comfort.
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