How Are Handlebars’ Width and Diameter Measured?

Your bike’s handlebar measurements affect your comfort and balance when riding. A wide handlebar offers more control because of its large lever, and a narrow handlebar is more aerodynamic. The optimal handlebar measurement offers either or both conveniences depending on the cycling style, but how are handlebars measured?

All you need to measure a handlebar’s length is a tape measure. For the upsweep and backsweep, you need more measurement tools, including a ruler, a protractor, and a pencil. Taking the measurements is very straightforward, but you have to know the optimal measurements for different cycling goals to make the right choice. This article looks at how to measure handlebar width, how to measure handlebar diameter, and why choosing the right size handlebars is essential.

Why Is It Important to Choose the Right Size Handlebars?

Choosing an optimal handlebar size has multiple benefits, including increased comfort, better control, and higher cycling speed. Not many cyclists are aware of the benefits of replacing their bike handlebars. Changing your handlebars can relieve the pressure pains and body strain you experience after every riding session. The unnecessary pressure is probably caused by poorly sized handlebars.

Research by the National Library of Medicine Trusted Source The Effect of Handlebar Height and Bicycle Frame Length on Muscular Activity during Cycling: A Pilot Study This research is not just limited to performance, as the cyclist’s goal may be rehabilitation, recreation, or competition, so a bicycle that meets the rider’s needs is essential for a more efficient muscular activity. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov shows that handlebar dimensions like height affect muscular activity during cycling. The handlebar height can change your trunk inclination and indirectly impact stress on different parts of your body. If you need to learn how to raise the handlebar height on a road or mountain bike, read our articles on how to raise handlebars on a road bike and how to raise handlebars on a mountain bike.

Another study by the University of Alaska Trusted Source A Prototype Construction of Adjustable Bicycle Handlebars This project designed and produced a prototype for compound or adjustable bicycle handlebars. scholarworks.alaska.edu concluded that handlebar dimensions are directly related to riding comfort.

Moreover, learning how to measure bike handlebar width, diameter, and other crucial dimensions will help you choose the optimal size for your cycling goals. It will also help you pick handlebars that are compatible with your bike. Even if you are not in the market for a new handlebar, you will know if your current handlebar is serving you right or not.

How Are Mountain Bike Handlebars Measured?

“How are mountain bike handlebars measured?” is one of the most popular questions on cycling forums. A poorly sized mountain bike handlebar will affect your performance. If you are in the market for a mountain bike and need help choosing one from the sea of options, read our article on the best mountain bikes. The Hiland Mountain Bike is a good example of a high-quality mountain bike. The full suspension bike boasts a rugged build with a high-carbon steel soft tail frame.

Here are steps on how to get accurate measurements of an MTB handlebar.

MTB Handlebar Width

A wider handlebar will give you better control, responsive steering, and maximum comfort as it opens up your chest for easy breathing.

On the other hand, a narrow handlebar is great for narrow trails with rolling sections as it opens up your shoulders and back to improve aerodynamics and reduce fatigue.

So, what is the optimal handlebar width for mountain bikes? There is no one-size for all option. It all depends on your riding style, body size, and shape. The standard mountain bike handlebar size ranges from 700 mm to 780 mm. Heavier, broad-shouldered riders go for handlebars as wide as 800 mm.

To measure the handlebar width, you need a tape measure.

• Step 1: Place and hold one end of the tape measure on one end of the handlebar.
• Step 2: Pull the tape measure along the handlebar’s length towards the other end and take the reading. The measurement is the handlebar width.

MTB Handlebar Sweep

Upsweep and back sweep define a handlebar’s geometry. Upsweep is the angle at which handlebars emerge from the clamp area. It provides a more comfortable riding position for the wrist. The back sweep is the angle at which the handlebar bends back towards the rider and it also offers comfort to the wrist during cycling.

You need a piece of paper, a pencil, a ruler, and a protractor to measure both the upsweep and backsweep.

Measuring MTB Handlebar Up Sweep

• Hold your handlebars at the angle you would ride at and lay them on a piece of paper.
• Use a pencil to mark either side of the clamp area.
• With the bar at the same angle, draw a line on either side of the grip area. At this point you should have four marks on the paper.
• Remove your handlebars and measure the width of the clamp and rise area. Divide the measurements by two to plot their midpoints.
• Use a ruler to draw a straight line connecting the two midpoints.
• Draw a horizontal line through the clamp area’s midpoint to create an angle.
• Grab the protractor and measure the acute angle created by these lines to get the handlebar upsweep.

Measuring MTB Handlebar Back Sweep

• Lay your handlebars on a piece of paper in the normal angle you would ride at.
• Use the pencil to draw a line on both sides of the clamp areas.
• Draw another line on either side of the grip area at any point.
• With all the four points, find the clamp and grip areas’ midpoint by measuring the width across the two lines and dividing by two.
• Use a ruler to draw a straight line joining the two midpoints.
• Draw a horizontal line that follows the clamp area’s midpoint.
• Measure the acute angle between the two lines to get the backsweep angle.

MTB Handlebar Rise

Handlebar rise determines the distance between a handlebar’s clamp area center and its inside hoods (where the steep rise angle levels out).

• Lay the handlebars on a piece of paper.
• Use a pencil to make a mark on either side of the clamp area.
• Draw lines on both sides of the hoods.
• Plot the midpoint between both sets of lines.
• Place the ruler vertically and draw a line through the clamp area’s midpoint extending up the paper.
• With the ruler in a horizontal position through the hood area midpoint, draw a line that crosses the vertical line.
• Measure the distance between the point where the lines overlap and the clamp area’s midpoint to get the handlebar rise.

MTB Handlebar Diameter

The key parts to measure when determining the handlebar diameter and the clamp area diameter and the grip diameter.

The clamp area is where the stem attaches to your handlebars and the grip area is the part you grip while riding. A caliper is the best tool for measuring a handlebar diameter as it is accurate and super-easy to use.

• To measure the clamp area diameter with a caliper, place the widest part of the clamp inside the caliper’s jaws. Tighten the caliper, ensuring the jaws press flat on the clamp area’s sides, and take your reading.
• To measure the grip area diameter, take the caliper and place it around the grip area. Tighten the caliper’s jaws and take the reading, which is the grip area diameter.

MTB Handlebar Weight

Handlebar weight is another crucial handlebar measurement you may be interested in. To measure your handlebar’s weight, place it on a weighing scale. Ensure its total weight is resting on the scale.

The standard handlebar weight for a mountain bike ranges between 0.33 and 0.88 lbs (150 g and 400 g).

How Are Road Bike Handlebars Measured?

Unlike mountain bike handlebars, road bike handlebars are narrower to offer better aerodynamic performance and several hand positions for maximum comfort. How are road bike handlebars measured?

Road Bike Handlebar Width

Many road bike handlebars measure between 36 and 46 cm wide. Your riding style and goals determine the ideal handlebar width for you. A competitive road racer would do well with a narrower handlebar width for a significantly reduced aerodynamic drag. If you use your bike to commute, you need a balance of comfort, speed, and steering precision which a wider set of handlebars can offer.

To measure a road bike’s handlebar width;

• Place your handlebar on the ground or a flat surface.
• Take the tape measure and hold it in the center of one handlebar end.
• Pull the tape measure to the other handlebar end.
• Take the reading at the point where the tape crosses the center of the handlebar end. This is the handlebar width.

Road Bike Handlebar Reach

Handlebar reach is the distance you have to cover when you lean forward in a tucked riding position. You’ll need a sheet of paper and a tape measure to measure the handlebar reach.

• Place your handlebars flat on the A4 paper with the clamp area propped up.
• Grab the tape measure and measure the distance between the table or ground surface and the center of the clamp area. Note down the measurements.
• In a similar way, measure the distance between the table or ground surface and the center of the highest part of the drop. Note down the measurement.
• To get the handlebar reach, subtract the measurement readings in step 3 from the readings in step 2.

Road Bike Handlebar Drop

To measure the handlebar drop you will need a piece of paper, a ruler and a pencil.

• Place the handlebar flat on the piece of paper at the normal angle you would ride at.
• Draw a small line down on either side of the clamp area.
• Hold the bar firmly so it doesn’t move then draw a circle at its end touching the paper.
• Plot a midpoint of the two lines by measuring their widths and dividing by two.
• With the ruler horizontally, extend the clamp area midsections across the paper.
• Plot the circle’s midpoint and draw a vertical line down through the center until it overlaps with the other central line.
• Use your ruler to measure the distance between the circle’s midpoint and the overlapping point. This is the handlebar drop measurement.

Road Bike Handlebar Diameter

As with mountain bikes’ handlebar diameter, you have to measure the clamp area diameter and grip area diameter to get the handlebar diameter.

You will need a caliper to make the most accurate measurement. It is also the easiest measurement method.

• Place the widest point of the handlebar and place it inside the caliper’s jaws. Tighten the caliper’s jaws, ensuring they press flat on all the clamp area sides. Note down the measurements.
• To measure the grip area diameter, grab the caliper and place it around the grip. Position the caliper flat on the grip area and tighten the caliper’s jaws. Take the readings.

Road Bike Handlebar Weight

Measuring the handlebar weight is pretty straightforward as all you need is a weighing scale. Place the handlebar on the weighing scale, ensuring all its weight is supported by the scale. Take the readings.

A typical road bike can weigh between 0.44 and 1 lbs, depending on its building materials. Bikes made with carbon steel frames like the Eurobike XC550 weigh more. The Eurobike XC550 is an excellent bike for riding on all types of terrain, including urban roads, gravel roads, and other harsh terrains with obstacles.

How Are BMX Handlebars Measured?

BMX bikes are measured almost in the same way as road or MTB bikes, but three are some significant differences.

BMX Handlebar Height

To measure the height or rise of your BMX handlebars, pull the tape measure from the center of the clamping area to the center of the bars. BMX bikes for pros will be around 8 inches, for juniors – 5 to 6 or 2 to 6 inches.

BMX Handlebar Width

To measure the width of your BMX, pull the tape from end to end. The maximum width is 29 inches, according to UCI rules.

BMX Handlebar Up Sweep

For measuring the up sweep of the BMX handlebars, you can use the steps mentioned for other types of bikes. It can vary from 1 to 2 and 3 degrees, depending on whether it is traditionally styled or newer handlebars.

BMX Handlebar Back Sweep

The back sweep is around 10 to 12 degrees on traditional models, and if you have a newer model which is a flatter bend, it is around 4 to 8 degrees of back sweep.

Bike Handlebar Size Chart

FAQ

Are bike handlebars interchangeable?

Yes. You can change your bike handlebars whenever you like as long as the replacement bars have the same clamp and grip diameter. The most common handlebar diameter size for modern bikes is 31.8 mm for the clamp area and 23.8 mm for the grip area.

Are all bike handlebars the same diameter?

Bikes come with different handlebar diameters. For instance, the standard handlebar diameter for modern road and mountain bikes is 31.8 mm, 26 mm for older road bikes, and 24.5 mm for older mountain and hybrid bikes. Learning how to measure handlebar diameter will help you get a handlebar replacement that is compatible with your bike.

What handlebar width do I need?

When it comes to handlebar width, there is a one-size fits all option. The ideal handlebar width depends on various factors like your body size or shape and riding style. A great way of estimating a suitable handlebar width for a mountain bike is by multiplying your height in cm by 4.4. If you are 150 cm tall, your ideal handlebar width would be 170 cm x 4.4 = 748 mm.

If you are a road biker, a good way of estimating an ideal handlebar width is by measuring the width of your AC (acromioclavicular) shoulder joints and picking handlebars with the same width measurements. It will give you a comfortable riding position and allow you to shift between positions during cycling without unnecessary strain.

What diameter are road bike handlebars?

Road bikes have different handlebar diameters. The most commonly used road bike clamp diameters are 26 mm for older bikes and 31.8 mm for modern bikes.

What diameter are mountain bike handlebars?

Many mountain bikes use either 25.4 mm (older bikes) or 31.88 mm (modern bikes) handlebar clamp sizes.

Final Thoughts

The most crucial step in finding new handlebars for your bike is measuring the one you have. The measurements will help you pick a handlebar that is compatible with your bike. How are handlebars measured? This guide has covered the key steps on how to measure bicycle handlebar width, diameter, weight, drop, and reach for mountain bikes and road bikes. Although the steps discussed are for mountain and road bikes, some points are applicable to other handlebar measurements like the ones of BMX.

A great alternative to finding accurate handlebar measurements is paying for a professional bike fit. Besides skipping all the hustle of learning how to measure handlebars, you will get the right fit for your riding style and body shape.

facebook

twitter

linkedin

reddit

pinterest