School me on handlebars, please.

[ggcustoms]

What's everyone's reason for switching bars? Height seems easy enough or even a pivot riser (which I like and I've used on my last 2 sleds) but how do you find out what you like without buying a half a dozen bars and doing trial and error? Is it the angle or the width that make people switch? And, is there an ergonomic difference to have the rise of bars with a riser vs having the rise in the bars themselves. Also, I've always liked/used the mountain bar/strap, (I've always compared it to 4 wheel drive, you might only need it a few times a year but glad you have it) but see a lot of guys take them off. Was it pretty easy to get used to not having a strap? And to be honest the looks of some of the bars are sweet, especially without a mountain bar. Changes the whole sled. (Maybe looks are the reason some people change?)
I've had Pro Tapers for the past decade but I don't think I'll be on a Popo this year.
Sorry to be so long winded. These are all genuine questions and I appreciate your help.

 

[davesilb]

I would also like the answers to those questions

 

[Snow Duck]

Per some of the sponsored riders the lower the bar the better leverage to pull and push. (watch some of the schooled dvd's Brett Rasmussen) I see it like hold a 5 lb bucket with your arm bent and lift its much harder to lift. now hold the bucket with your arm straight you have more lifting power from the muscle. i have had tall bars and liked them but after switching to low bars i find myself being able to maneuver the sled better. as for Mtn bars yes its nice to have it kind of like a binky for some but I have tried to not use it the last few years since found I have figured out how to use my body and power of the sled to get me out of situations.. I'm sure other riders see it differently but that's my take..

 

[boondocker97]

No mechanical advantage to having the rise in the bar vs in the riser. A bar with a dip in the center of some sort is usually a bit stronger.

Easiest way I've found to get a bar bend I like better is get to bar that has known bend dimensions that is bolted up to a machine. Then phantom grab the air right above or behind it in your natural riding position. Compare the width and angle of your hands/wrists of where you are grabbing to the known bar bend you are next to. If your hands are wider/narrower than the grip area then you know you should look for something wider/narrower. If the angle of your hands would fit with more/less pull back better or if you need something with rise at the ends (different than bend height).

I have really wide shoulders and thus have a wide grip range. I personally look for bars that are as wide as I can get, least amount of pull-back, and little to no rise. Everyone seems to buy CFR bars and they don't make a bend that is anything close to what I need to be comfortable. Confirmed with a couple sets on a friend's sleds. My favorite set are some old ROX chromoly snocross bars. So don't be afraid to shop around and not just buy what the cool kids are.

I don't have a mountain strap on the green sled in my avatar and don't miss it for riding. I don't use the one on my other sled when riding either. I do find it's helpful to roll it out when it's stuck or to help climb back on from the downhill side. Rox makes one that flips down when you don't need it. https://roxspeedfx.com/products/flexible-grab-handle-mountain-strap

 

[FatDogX]

Finding that right bar position is different for everyone, much like setting a suspension. Bar height is what everyone focuses on but bar width and bar angle are just as important, especially the longer you are out riding. It comes down to you, so someone saying this bar angle or width is what you need is like someone saying set the seat in your truck to this setting...............

One thing with bar adjustment is, do you have any discomfort in your hands, arms, elbows, shoulders or back??? Changing bar position, angle, height and width can help with this or make it worse. Try adjusting your stock bars first and if you cannot get right for you, then look to something different.

 

[IDspud]

Pro riders recommending short bars are short.
If I want leverage I go for the big wrench, not the short one.
If the bars are hitting you in the chin, you’re a bit over leveraged and need a smaller wrench.

Short bars hurt me, as mentioned in comfort post above. Where your arms are in your most common riding position is where your bars should be.