Getting a Handle on Handlebar Style

Like many other parts of the bike, there are a plethora of different styles of handlebars on the market. You can find handlebars for road racing, mountain biking, touring, and everyday riding. Of these different types, two shapes are predominant — the drop-down road-bike style and the flat mountain-bike style.

Regardless of the style of handlebars you choose, choose a width that comes close to matching the width of your shoulders. This width will keep your arms parallel while you ride and your chest open for efficient and relaxed breathing.

Your hands should be in a relaxed position when you grab the brakes. Your wrists should not be angled down over the handlebars when squeezing the brakes. An awkward angle for your wrists will cause pressure on the nerves and lead to an uncomfortable numbing sensation in the hands and wrists.

Frequently change the position of your hands when you ride. One way to increase the number of positions for riding is to add bar-ends to your flat, mountain-bike-style handlebars. Not only do bar-ends give you an alternative position, but they can be beneficial for climbing. Just remember that your hands will be farther away from the brakes, which could be a problem if you have to stop suddenly.