Special Handlebars for MTB

Regarding handlebars, the only decision to be made when selecting them is usually the choice between flat or riser bar. These two types of handlebar dominate the market and are present in almost any mountain bike sold today.

However, there are some alternative choices that can be interesting for someone looking for a bit more of comfort or a different type of steering behavior. I've compiled a small list of handlebars that fit in this category. This list might be useful for somebody currently unsatisfied with their current handlebar and trying to find a perfect handlebar for their favorite type of riding.

Groovycycleworks Luv Handles


Handmade in Wooster Ohio by Rody Walter, these steel bars have a very interesting geometry, with 1 inch (25.4 mm) of rise and 21.5 degrees of sweep in the grip section. They fit quite well in the hand and show a very good balance between stiffness and comfort.

Clamp: 25.4 mm
Price: 85 USD
Weight: 315 g advertised, mine weighted 386 g

Groovycycleworks Luv Handles Ti

This is a titanium version of the steel Luv Handles. Lighter and obviously more expensive than the original.

Clamp: 25.4 mm
Price: 245 USD
Weight: 275 g

On-One Mary

From England comes the Mary bar, probably the most popular swept handlebar. It combines significant rise with gradual sweep. Due to aluminum construction it is relatively light and cheap.

Clamp: 25.4 mm
Price: 36 GBP
Weight: 300 g

On-One Mary Cro-Mo

This is a Cro-mo version of the Mary bar, intended for heavier riders.

Clamp: 25.4 mm
Price: 36 GBP
Weight: 525g

On-One Fleegle


Also from On-One comes this very wide (716.7 mm) swept flat bar. Due to the absence of rise, it is intended for bikes with high front end. The sweep angle is above average, standing at 15 degrees.

Clamp: 25.4 mm
Price: 30.80 GBP
Weight: 330 g

On One Fleegle Pro

A shorter (673 mm) and lighter version of the Fleegle, made with a different aluminum alloy.

Clamp: 25.4 mm
Price: 36 GBP
Weight: 241 g

Misfit Psycles FU bar

A nice aluminum riser bar, 635 mm wide and with a large 33 degrees of sweep. The grips rise 26 mm from the center section.

Clamp: 25.4 mm
Price: 43 USD
Weight: 378 g

Misfit Pscycles FU2 bar

A shorter version of the FU bar, with sweep angle increased from 33 to a massive 37 degrees.

Clamp: 25.4 mm
Price: 42 USD
Weight: 351 g

Jones H-bar Original

Extremely expensive, the H-bar is handcrafted in titanium by Jeff Jones in Oregon. It is highly swept (45º)and made in three separate sections welded together.

Clamp: 25.4 mm or 31.8 shimmed
Price: 500 USD
Weight: 440 g

Jones H-bar Loop

A variation of the H-bar with a continuous front loop instead of the two separate grip sections of the original.The loop provides more hand positions and a place to mount accessories. It also features a curved center section to allow the placement of levers behind the crossbar (it is impossible to fit them in the closed loop).

Clamp: 25.4 mm or 31.8 shimmed
Price: 550 USD
Weight: 467 g

Jones H-bar Cut

A shorter version (590 mm) of the Loop H-bar, with an opening in the front loop that allows the placement of levers ahead of the crossbar.

Clamp: 25.4 mm or 31.8 shimmed
Price: 550 USD
Weight: 416 g

Titec H-bar

Aluminum version of the original H-bar, made by Titec according to the Jeff Jones design. Considerably cheaper than the the original, it also differs from the original by featuring a 37 mm rise.

Clamp: 25.4 mm
Price: 60 USD
Weight: 430 g

Titec J-Bar

This is a variation of the J-bar. The grip section is the same, but it has no rise and clamps in 31.8 stems.

Clamp: 31.8 mm
Price: 68 USD
Weight: 400 g

Bontrager Satellite Trekking

These trekking handlebars have found some acceptance for MTB use due to their swept shape. 610 mm wide, it has a 35º bend.

Clamp: 25.4 mm
Price: 16 USD
Weight: 335 g

Bontrager Satellite Plus Trekking

Another trekking handlebar, featuring a short and closed front arch, practical for mounting accessories. It's relatively wide (650 mm ) and has 20 degrees of bend.

Clamp: 25.4 mm
Price: 50 USD
Weight: 300 g

Origin8 SpaceBar

Similar in design to the Mary bar, the SpaceBar features a 645 mm width, a 37.5 mm rise and it's made in 6065-T6 Aluminum. Despite not being recommended by the manufacturer for offroad use, it is also commonly seen in MTBs.

Clamp: 25.4 mm
Price: 23 USD
Weight: 300 g

Surly Torsion Bar

The Torsion Bar is a flat bar made with 4130 Cro-Mo Steel. Features 15 degrees of sweep and the width stands at a very devilish 666 mm.

Clamp: 25.4 mm
Price: 46 USD
Weight: 280 g

Bikes on Snow FloWing Ti

The FloWing Ti is produced by Bikes on Snow, a small manufacturer from Vermont.  The bar is swept back 27 degrees, 686 mm wide and made in titanium.

Clamp: 25.4 mm

Price: 175 USD

Weight: ??