Shopping for new bicycle handlebars? Hollandbikeshop has a wide range of bicycle handlebars!

How do I adjust the handlebars?    

Adjusting the handlebars is something you can often easily do yourself. Mostly, you’ll need to focus on the right handlebar height, in order to prevent shoulder and back problems. Standing next to your bicycle, the handlebars should be at hip height; this is usual the ideal handlebar position, though it should be noted that the right handlebar height is also a matter of personal preference.

The correct height can also be determined by sitting on the bicycle and grabbing firm hold of the handlebar grips, with slightly bent arms. If you can do this without a problem, you’re on the right track. Most city bikes have a classic handlebar stem.

Using an allen key, you can undo the bolt at the top of the stem until it’s sticking out slightly. Tap the bolt with a plastic mallet and adjust the handlebar height. Make sure not to exceed the height indicator of the handlebar’s stem and retighten the bolt. You can also adjust the stem angle, by undoing the bolt at the bottom of the stem. With an adjustable stem, you will need to open the stem lever in order to undo the stem bolt.

Now adjust the handlebar height, the way you would with a classic handlebar stem. Sometimes, adjustable stems have a bolt on the side that helps you adjust it to the right height and angle. More recent e-bike and mountain bike models now feature an a-head system. Raising such handlebars is trickier and often requires use of a shim. 

Want to find out more about mounting and adjusting an a-head stem? Read our blog on replacing an a-head stem. 
 

Can you change the handlebars on a bicycle?

Yes, you can, though we do not recommend it as it can leading to dangerous situations. Maneuverability can differ considerably for some handlebars and may not be right for your bicycle type.

At high speeds, this can be a recipe for disaster. If you’re considering replacing your handlebars because you want to change your sitting angle, or because you want to raise or lower the handlebars a little, we recommend you buy an adjustable handlebar instead. 
 

Replacing the handlebars

You can replace the handlebars by undoing the bolt at the top. If your handlebars feature hand brakes and shifters, you will first need to remove those. Don’t forget to remove the grips as well. Once you’ve done so, you can remove the handlebars. You can then mount the new handlebars on the stem by tightening the bolt(s) on the stem. Now you can mount the brake levers, shifters and grips back in place.
 

How wide should the handlebars be?

Since you’re pretty much holding onto the handlebars nonstop, they’re an essential part of the bicycle. Your choice in handlebars should prevent shoulder and back issues, as well as accidents; make sure that you can easily reach the brake levers and can readily change hand positions on the new handlebars you’re selecting for your mountain bike or road bike.

Width is another important aspect of the handlebars to keep in mind. Your bicycle handlebars should be roughly the same width as your shoulders. Determine your shoulder width by measuring your “acromion”, the distance between your shoulder points. Mountain bike handlebars may be wider than your shoulders, as wider handlebars give the cyclist more control during downhill riding and on extremely rough terrain.

While determining the right width of mountain bike handlebars, personal preference is of course leading. Another option is to take the measured shoulder width and add 30 cm (15 centimeters on each side). Some fervent mountain bikers have their handlebars shortened (too wide!) because of personal preference.
 

What handlebar stem do I need?

The type of stem you need mainly depends on the type of bicycle you ride. 
The stem connects the steerer tube and handlebars and deals with a lot of force, so it has to be stable. When choosing a stem, pay attention to the stem’s clamp diameter. This may vary from 1 inch, 1 1/4 inch to 1 1/8 inch, depending on the type of fork mounted on the bicycle.

The handlebar’s clamp diameter is also important and usually between 25.4mm and 31.8 mm, though 35mm is also a known option. When choosing the right road bike stem, the best thing to do is to get on your bicycle, with both hands on the shifters, then looking down at your front hub. If you can see the front hub, the stem is too short. 
 

How do you remove and mount a handlebar stem?

To remove a handlebar stem, first loosen the faceplate and then remove the handlebars. This allows you to remove the top cap from the headset. You can then loosen the stem and remove it. After this, you can mount the new stem and fasten the top cap. Partly tighten the stem bolts, then mount the handlebars. If your handlebars are made of carbon, we recommend using assembly paste.

Adjust the handlebars to the desired angle. Now is the time to remove any play on the headset. You can read more about how to do this in our blog, Headset adjustment. At this point, you can straighten the handlebars and tighten the bolts.
 

What bicycle handlebars should you choose?

Ultimately, you should choose the handlebars that let you ride comfortably for long periods of time. Consider how often and how long you’ll be cycling, and over what kind of terrain. The right handlebars prevent pain in the back, neck, shoulders and wrists.

Since you’ll often spend longer bike rides in the same position, the classic straight handlebars are a solid choice. This type of handlebar is also suitable for shorter distances, like rides to work or the grocery store. Slightly bent handlebars and classic handlebars (the kind you find on so-called granny bikes or Dutch bikes) are also great for short distance rides. For longer distances, we recommend butterfly handlebars. 

Looking for handlebars for the road bike? Road bike handlebars are designed to be aerodynamic and lightweight. Like the butterfly handlebar, road bike handlebars offer lots of different hand positions. Mountain bikers often tackle rougher terrains and prefer having more control, so they often choose slightly wider, more robust handlebars, like the handlebars in this overview of mountain bike handlebars and stems. Looking for convenient bar ends? You can find them here.