Bike handlebar risers – how to choose the suitable length and angle

What are bike handlebars?

The handlebar and handlebar risers are both one of the ebike controller parts. Before understanding the bike handlebar risers, let’s first learn the handlebar, which is the part connected to it. In fact, the most obvious difference between road bikes and mountain bikes is the handlebars. Road bike handlebars are generally bent handlebars, that is, there are curvatures on both sides of the handlebars, and the ends of the tubes open backwards. You can check the details by looking at the picture below.

Mountain bike handlebars are horizontal handlebars that extend left and right. The specific shape of the bent handlebars also has its own merits and styles. There are three main types: ergonomic bars, compact bars and classic bars.

Referring to the picture above, the boundary between the upper handlebar position and the lower handlebar position is mainly distinguished by the upper and lower position of the hand shifter.

Generally speaking, the upper handlebar is more comfortable eapecially for long disdance of ebike mileage, and the lower handlebar has better control. There is a height difference between the upper and lower handlebar. This value is called drop. A larger drop value requires the rider to have a lower posture (better aerodynamics, riding faster, but less comfortable).

In short, choose the handlebar according to each person’s hand length, flexibility and riding style. And we have also introduced the top 10 folding bicycle manufacturers in the world for your reference.

The picture below shows a common zipp bent handlebar.

Users are mainly concerned about the two values of drop and reach. Reach refers to the horizontal distance from the center of the upper handlebar pipe to the center of the front pipe. The size of reach will affect the total forward reach of the vehicle, but the length of handlebar reach should be selected taking into account the reach of the frame, the length of the bike handlebar risers and the size of rider’s hand.

The width of the handlebar should be the same as shoulder width. The width of the handlebar varies among brands, some measure the width of the lower handlebar, some measure the width of the upper handlebar, and some measure the width between the protruding parts of the middle arc. Generally, these data will be marked on the handlebars, so there will be no problem when selecting.

What are bike handlebar risers?

There are two main materials for the bike handlebar risers, carbon fiber or aluminum alloy. As for which one to use, it all depends on preference. There is almost no performance difference between the two. The weight is slightly lighter with the carbon bike handlebar risers, and the price is also more expensive than aluminum alloy bike handlebar risers.
The picture below shows the geometric specifications of the bike handlebar risers.

In the picture, A represents for the angle; B represents for the length of the bike handlebar risers; C means the handlebar diameter; and D refers to the front fork diameter.

• The angle of the bike handlebar risers depends on personal preference and body flexibility. The normal angle is +-6°. If the user don’t know what specifications to use, this angle is recommended.
• The length of the bike handlebar risers is also selected taking into account the size of the person and the bike. The most common length is 100mm.
• The common handlebar diameter is 31.8mm, and for some brands it is 35mm, which is usually marked specifically.
• The front fork diameter should be matched with the frame fork selection. There are two specifications: conventional 28.6mm and OD2 from Giant. The OD2 specifications of the brands Giant and Scott are thicker and have better rigidity.

As for road bike handlebar risers and mountain bike handlebar risers, will they be confused? Just don’t put a super thick and short AM~DH stem. The common specifications of thin and long ones are basically universal, and the comfort of the mountain stem may be better. In fact, the difference between different bike handlebar risers mainly lies in appearance and weight, and the actual difference in rigidity can be so small as to be ignored.

How to determine the proper length of bike handlebar risers?

Everyone’s body flexibility, body proportions and sizes are different, so users cannot use a single mode to select a bike handlebar riser. For example, if the user chooses the same 120mm stem with a rider of the same height, but it may be founded that on the same bike with the same 120mm stem, it is either too long or too short for the user. So in order to choose a suitable stem, besides fitting, what other low-cost methods are there for riders to use?

• First of all, look for a large local bicycle shop, because this type of bicycle shops usually have a lot of bike handlebar risers for customers to try, so there is no need to worry about spending money on inappropriate bike handlebar risers.
• Length of bike handlebar risers come in many specifications, from short and thick to extra long. If users want an aero stance, a longer stem will stretch the back muscles and create a prone riding position especially when it’s a high voltage ebike with powerful electric motor for bike. If they prefer the comfort setting, shorter ones will be more suitable.
• But it is worth noting that length of bike handlebar risers must be considered as a comprehensive consideration of frame size, saddle height, saddle front and rear position, and handlebar shape and size. Fitting will take into account these interacting data. A shorter stem will bring the upper body closer to the seat, putting the rider in a more upright posture, thereby reducing the pressure on the back.

How the length of bike handlebar risers affect control

Changing the length of the bike handlebar risers will not only affect comfort, but also the handling of the road bike. A shorter stem will result in more responsive steering, while a longer stem will result in slower steering response. Different length of bike handlebar risers are suitable for different usage scenarios, which is why riders in cross-country races prefer to use shorter stems, while road riders prefer to use longer stems.

Angle of the bike handlebar risers

Another factor to consider when choosing the length of bike handlebar risers is the angle. If users want to lower the height, they can choose a stem with a certain angle to reduce the vertical height of the bent handlebar relative to the ground. If they want a more upright riding position, they can flip the negative-angle stem and change it into a positive-raised stem. It all depends on personal preference.

Best posture

The correct length of bike handlebar risers will allow user’s elbows to bend freely with a little ease for natural gripping hand changes while riding, whereas if the arms are straight, this is a sign that the stem is too long.

A good tips for choosing the correct length of bike handlebar risers is to place the hands on the upper handlebars and look down at the front hub when riding a bicycle. If the length of the stem is correct, the bent handlebar should completely cover the front hub. If you see the front hub in front of the bent handlebar, it means the stem is too short, otherwise it is too long.

Last but not least, here is an advice: Try not to use titanium alloy or even aluminum alloy screws if the stem screws are not original!