Handlebars - another perspective possibly?

[CoyoteGirl]

My sled: 2013 PRO RMK

I recently installed the Dan Adams bars on my sled, cutting an inch and 1/4 off of each side and moving the controls in an inch (total) from stock location. These are also about an inch and some shorter in height. I would love to know what the pull back angle is on both stock and these bars??

Now, I am 5'10" and have long arms. I've had risers for many years now, loved them, loved how they felt TO ME. This might be the first year I go lower? Haven't quite confirmed if that part will remain but so far I do like how the whole configuration feels. I switched sleds with someone last weekend that had stock PRO bars on and instantly both of my elbows were unhappy and I could feel more stress in my biceps and shoulders.

I just wanted to put this out there for some of you to think about. Especially some of the smaller ladies. I realize this isn't an easy task to take on, nor cheap. But if you are not riding neutral or are out of your "power band" and using your arm muscles to maneauver your sled you are missing out on many other larger muscle groups to make it easier!

Something to chew over!

 

[Drifter]

Shorter and narrower bars are better in the trees period. Tall risers are the worst thing you can do to make a sled handle better.

 

[←snow∞motion→]

Shorter and narrower bars are better in the trees period. Tall risers are the worst thing you can do to make a sled handle better.

I agree and disagree. All riders aren't built the same. I agree with what she said about hurting. But I disagree with tall risers being the worst thing to do to handle better.

Stock bars caused me to have to lean forward hurting my back and ironically the tops of my shoulders.

Bars should be catered to the rider's height, build and riding style.

 

[duke1n]

The wider the skis and the taller and further forward the bars the better. Stop riding those tippy sleds that fool people into thinking they have skills.

 

[mountainhorse]

HUH???

 

[Blown Motor]

After selling a bunch of RSI and FLY bars this year, we have come to the conclusion that there is no catch-all. Each person needs to set their bars up to their own respective ability, riding style, body build, and chassis. There just isn't one thing that makes every condition more enjoyable for everybody. Some people feel that having taller risers and bars tipped forward a smidge is better, some like wider, some like lower, and some could give a $hit hahaha. But all in all, one thing that is a positive is that each person definitely could gain some ease of rising by changing the bars to fit them as a rider.

 

[CoyoteGirl]

Stop riding those tippy sleds that fool people into thinking they have skills.

Hi Duke... miss ya buddy... post more pics!

 

[Scott]

I've notice sore shoulders with my stock Pro Tapers on my 13 this season.
Not muscle pain...but DEEP in the shoulder joint.

I'm 5'8" and a bit lanky for my height. I'm by no means a stocky tree stump or bowling ball with eyes. (5'8" and about 145lbs)

I like the height, I think. Unless I try something else that proves me wrong.
But I wish they were narrowed a bit.
I may take the time to narrow my bars an inch or two and see if that helps my shoulders.

 

[bholmlate]

It all comes down to body position on the sled and there is no one bar or riser hieght that will fit every rider. you just have to find what combination that work for you and run with it

 

[Scott]

It all comes down to body position on the sled and there is no one bar or riser hieght that will fit every rider. you just have to find what combination that work for you and run with it

Just like finding the right geometry between the different brands that suits your liking.

 

[Sxrlar]

I am a husky hobbit, 5'5" 195lbs, and I put the Fly Dan Adams bars on my pro. I also narrowed them to 26.5", and i really like them a lot more than the Pro tapers. My elbows don't hurt anymore after a weekend of riding either.

 

[m8magicandmystery]

I'm 5'8" (5'8" and about 145lbs)
.

im 5'10 and lbs....thanx Scott...i thought this was a nice site...lol..

 

[duke1n]

Tell me you're not a dude...

 

[phatty]

dan adams bars and burandts RSI bars... i think dan is like 5'9 and burandt like 5'10?

of course lower bars are better for them... riding sleds with there set ups i feel like the hunchback of notre dame... personally i dont care for it at all. but then im 6'5...

I ended up going with dans bars and a 2" riser. will report back on that this weekend.

 

[meathooker]

im 5'10 and lbs....thanx Scott...i thought this was a nice site...lol..

i feel your pain. my riding buddy is 150 lbs dripping wet; im 200 on a good day. it takes a lot to make up for 50 lbs!

to the OP, the stock bars feel pretty good to me, but i rode a sled with RSI back country bars this weekend and it felt super good so im going to try a set of those.

of course body type has a huge part in it. im 6' tall but have a 6'3" span so i typically like wider bars. my mtb has 32" wide bars on it!

 

[Scott]

Thanks for intervening Duke. I wouldn't want to fend off some big oaf looking for the wrong thing.

LMAO

Sorry Brandy.


...narrow bars....

 

[PJ-Hunter]

When I do bars I always leave them a bit loose when installing. Then I stand on the sled in my normal position, I close my eyes and grab the bars and then let them move into the natural position my arms and shoulders put them in. I get off and tighten.

As for height, I'm 6' and I went down from the stock 8" to a 6" rise. I like it better. And I have long arms also.

 

[Blk88GT]

Lots of knuckledraggers in this thread... LOL

 

[AdrenalineAddict]

Another 6'2" knuckledragger here. I also lowered and narrowed my bars a bit and would do it all over again if I bought another pro tomorrow. My biggest beef with the wide pro-tapers is when doing an uphill turn you would end up with the CG of your body on the wrong side of the sled and couldn't get it back. It could be my riding style is a little handicapped but I found narrowing the bars made it much easier to ride. When pulling a big hill where you are in a wheelie situation for what can be a minute or two you effortlessly lean forward with lower bars, with tall bars you have to pull yourself forward with arm strength instead of a simple bend at the hips.