Riser Bar????

[DoorKicker]

I have a Cannondale Scalpel which for those who may not know is classified a XC.
Being fairly new to MTBing, I would have to say that I am definetly a recreational rider, though I plan on raceing in some local races in the future.

I ride single track trails through local woods and the ocassional urban assualt.

My question. Will my bike loose it's design affectiveness if I change it to riser bars??? Translation, will I mess up the way my suspension works by changeing my rideing position?

Thanks for any help and glad I found this site.

[kennbenny667]

I don't think you should have any problems with your suspension. People make a big whoop over changing to risers but I found the difference hard to feel. If you are particular, you might notice it in the seat more than any thing. Slide it back or forwards because the bars will change your position.

[JerseyDevil]

Changing from a riser to flat bar will not affect your suspension, but it will change the handling of the machine.
When you are on a riser bar, your weight is back a little more than it would be on a flat bar because you are not leaning on the front of the bike as hard. Downhills will be nice because your weight will be distributed more towards the rear, giving you the ability to take larger hits and steeper grades. Using a flat bar will improve climbing because it will keep pressure on the front wheel and stop it from lifting and wandering. Rear wheel traction will be the same with either bar as once you get the bike on a grade, your weight is basically centered over the rear wheel at the same distance. On the flat sections, flat bars will help with aerodynamics a little and keep you in a good, flat-backed position to open your lungs up and more power over the pedals. Riser bars will help with lifting the front end to get over logs and rocks.
Of course, these are all general takes on bike set-up. It will really all come down to how the bike fits you in the first place.

[Andy in Wi]

Once I had riser bars. Ansewer protaper al's. Then some dude lodged his barends under mine and caused a huge crash, with me at the bottem.
That dude owes me a pair of levers and new bars.
The lesson?
Flat bars are awesome. They weigh less, are the same strength, and occasionally can be used to break a crappy u-lock
-PBR andy

[Browne]

Hey Doorkicker,

I had a Scalpel for test a little while ago and felt that the bars were a tad too narrow for my tastes.

While the Scalpel is designed around a racing platform, I think the addition of a riser bar might help you gain a little more comfort and slightly more fun handling. I wish I had done that while I had the bike.

Enjoy.

-Michael

[DoorKicker]

Thanks guys,

I am going to try the risers for awhile and see how they feel.
I had them on my old bike, Stumpjumper FSR and liked them as much as I could on a bike that I didn't care for that much. (suspension didn't have proper adjustment capabilities to fit me)

After two weeks I can already tell that this is the bike for me, I was just wondering about risers. I like the short travel and the fact that the suspension can be pre loaded in the rear and even locked out if so desired. All around a better bike for me anyway.

So anyway, I am going to try the risers and see how I like them on this bike, but who knows?

Thanks again for the input.

[hairygrump]

And if you don't like them you can sell them in the Flea Market.

Aren't the Dirt Rag Forums great?

Oh... My $.02: I like risers on suspended bikes, but not on rigid ones. Plus BMX riders rock risers and they're EXTREME!

[The Gordo]

Hell Yes! I love BMX and Riser bars are the Best! Wife just got me a pair of Azonic Ultra Cross with the brace. They are stiffer but they Look extra MOTO style!

[Subscription Guy]

I'd like to ask you WHY you were considering riser bars. If it was just that you're experimenting, then the advice already given should suffice. If, however, you were trying to solve a specific problem, or had some unspecified performance goal in mind, I'd suggest stating the specifics -- with that information, a more specific and useful reply could be provided.
:D

[DoorKicker]

WHY riser bars????

part experiment,part seeking any possible added comfort.

Basically I liked the position risers put me in on my old bike (see above) but didn't like the bike that much.

Since the original post I have yet to install the risers and illness (both mine and my son's) and work has kept me off the trails anyway so I still wouldn't know.

I do however appreciate the comments.

I think maybe today I'll get them on and possibly do a night ride tonight.

Thanks again

[Subscription Guy]

Ahhhhhh, yeaaahs. Experimenting with position. A very wise quest, grasshoppah.

For a long time I incessantly tweaked my on-bike position, seat fore, seat aft, add spacers under stem, remove spacers, change bars, change stem reach, change stem rise.... Until I found the position that "felt best" to me. I suppose that could be a metaphor for life, but the real motivation was finding that feeling of: "being one with the bike." Or, stated another way, I kept tweaking until "the bike disappeared beneath me." Now if I could just find it again.
:D

[vandickie]

A balanced, comfortable position will work on all trails, in all states, countries, races, etc.... Since EVERYONE one of us is different you gotta work this out for yourself. Put your hands in front of you in the "flat" bar width and position, then in a "riser" width and sweep position. What does that do to your chest and how will it affect your breathing? For someone over 6' the difference can be quite significant. Risers can be great for switchbacks[leverage], drops, steep downhills, lessening hand numbness and lower back pain, not to mention speed drifts on your favorite fire road. Negatives could be clearance on tight trails and lightness of steering on really steep climbs, but its usually faster to walk at that point anyway. As I'm 6' 2" and been riding/racing for 15+ years the risers were a nice improvement and definately worked for me! I don't know if that would be the same for the "industry standard" 165lb, 5'9" rider that all the reviews are for.

[jimilton80401]

You can get some of the benefits of riser bars (extra width, more sweep angle) without changing the riding position that drastically by going with the Specialized Wideboy bars or the Salsa version of a wide, 9 degree sweep bar that isn't a riser. Then you can tweak the ride height by adding or subtracting the spacers on the steering tube until you dial your ride height. You can also mess around with stem lengths and rises. The list goes on and on..............
I used the Salsas for years, then switched to the Specialized on my old hardtail. I found that the 26" width of the Spec. bars really made a difference in leverage and made for greater control in tight sections and on switchbacks. The 9 degree sweep is easier on my wrists, too.
As always, YMMV.

[vandickie]

Good call on another option Jim, maybe on a future bike. My problem is that even on a XL frame the head tube is not long enough to avoid spacers for proper fit, so a 1.5" or 2" riser cuts down on the # of spacers needed, which looks cleaner and might even reduce flex....Or if the steerer tube is already cut to length, a riser is cheaper... all-right I'll stop!

[Andy in Wi]

The XL size varies. Giant offers up to a 22.5 on some bikes and a 25 on others. Most of the XLs I've seen are 21" c-t, which cuts it down to around 20.5 or 20 c-c. C'dale however, has a big XL (used to be called jumbo when the xl's were 19" c-c) with a big seat tube and a wide open cockpit. Fits big guys great (6'6" here)
But yeah, risers work when you just need that extra boost. Want a pair? I have some salsa Motoace risers that give about a 2" rise at a width of 660mm, either a 9 or 11 deg. sweep.
-WiBA