Best Bicycle Handlebars for Sitting Upright (Top 7 Reviewed!)

You have just bought a bike because you want to keep fit. You realize you’ll have a more enjoyable ride without too much strain on your back.

You asked around and discovered that you should up for an upright handlebar to ease the back pain. However, you’re not confident about choosing one that fits your purpose.

You’re not alone in your dilemma. Unfortunately, many new bikers are also clueless about the handlebars for sitting upright.

Kindly read on to learn more about upright handlebars. Then, hopefully, you can choose one from the seven handlebars reviewed here.

• Available sizes (diameter): 25.4mm (Length: 600mm) or 31.8mm (Length: 620mm)
• Color: Black
• Material: Aluminum
• Bike Type: Mountain bike or road bike

• Available sizes (diameter): 31.8mm
• Available sizes (length): 620mm, 640mm, 660mm, 680mm, 700mm, 720mm, 740mm, and 760mm
• Colors: Black, gray, blue, red, and yellow
• Material: carbon fiber
• Bike type: mountain bike

• Available sizes (diameter): 25.4mm
• Available sizes (width): 620mm
• Rise: 20mm, 40mm, 60mm, and 100mm
• Color: Black
• Material: Aluminum
• Bike type: mountain bike and road bike

• Available sizes (diameter): 31.8
• Available sizes (width): 720mm and 780mm
• Color: Black, red, blue, and yellow
• Material: Aluminum
• Bike type: mountain bike, hybrid bike, and road bike

• Available sizes (diameter): 25.4mm
• Available sizes (width): 685mm
• Rise: 133mm
• Color: Black
• Material: Steel
• Bike type: road bike

• Available sizes (diameter): 31.8mm
• Available sizes (width): 785mm
• Rise: 15mm and 30mm
• Color: Black, blue, gray, green, orange, and red
• Material: Aluminum
• Bike type: mountain bike

• Available sizes (diameter): 31.8mm
• Available sizes (width): 720mm and 780mm
• Rise: 50mm
• Color: Black, blue, fuchsia, gold, and silver
• Material: Aluminum
• Bike type: mountain bike and road bike

Pros and Cons of a Bicycle Handlebar for Sitting Upright

Promotes Good Posture

Drop, aero, and bullhorn bars force the rider to lean forward, putting stress on the back for long-distance cycling.

However, upright handlebars relieve the back strain because you can cycle upright.

Wrist and Arm Comfort

The long upright handlebars can accommodate the extra weight from your wrist and arms. Therefore, you can cycle casually with relaxed arms and wrists.

If you have issues with your arm and wrist, you should opt for upright handlebars.

Low-Impact Workout

Upright handlebars offer a low-impact cycle workout without the stress on your wrist, arms, and back.

Unlike the aero bars, you don’t strain your muscles and joints.

Excellent Visibility

Aerodynamic bars turn your eyes not to the front but to the ground. Therefore, they interfere with your safety and visibility.

However, upright handlebars make you look ahead, thus giving you better visibility of the road.

Therefore, if you’ll be busy riding urban roads, you should get upright handlebars.

More Control

Upright handlebars provide you with better control on several terrains, even challenging ones. In addition, the brakes are quickly accessible for fast speed control.

The bars are vital for off-road cycling.

Deficient Aerodynamic

Upright cycling isn’t aerodynamic; you use additional effort and slow down when riding on a windy day.

Moreover, you’re likely to have less comfort when riding uphill.

Slightly Heavier

Upright handlebars are heavier and longer; therefore, your bike is slightly weighty.

Kinds of Upright Handlebars for Bikes

Flat

Flat handlebars have a flat tube bending about two to ten degrees toward the rider. They have different widths, from 520 to 620 millimeters.

The massive weight allows you to freely hold the bars without bending. Therefore, flat handlebars are suitable for upright cycling.

Handlebars are excellent for Fixies, mountain bikes, and hybrids. They have a six-degree back-sweep for casual riding.

Riser

Riser handlebars provide a slight rise from 15 to 50 millimeters. They’re a type of flat handlebars; however, they’re slightly wider.

The average width of 650-800 millimeters provides more room for better control and attachments. But, unfortunately, they’re also heavier and inefficient against the wind.

Rise handlebars are prevalent on hybrids, comfort bikes, and mountain bikes.

Cruiser Handlebar or Sweep-Back

Sweep-back or cruiser bars are suitable for cruiser bikes. Therefore, you can sit more upright for a relaxing ride.

You may have a front basket mounted on the handlebar for errands.

Trekking, Butterfly, or Touring

Trekking, butterfly, or touring handlebars are perfect for long rides because you can affix them in multiple hand positions.

You may lean forward or sit upright when riding, depending if you’re going uphill or sprinting. Moreover, you may attach more accessories to these handlebars.

If you’re biking off-road, this type of handlebar offers more control.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Bike Handlebar

If you wish to buy a new bike handlebar, you should consider these factors:

Handlebar Shape

The shape of the handlebar plays a significant role in your comfort and bike performance. Therefore, you should study the hand position that each type of handlebar requires.

If you ride long distances, you can opt for a handlebar providing several hand positions for optimal comfort. A butterfly handlebar best suits a touring bike.

Handlebar Width

The handlebar’s width also affects your leverage and control over your bike.

For instance, a flat bar or riser offers smoother steering and more leverage than the aero or drop bar.

Handlebar Rise

A handlebar doesn’t provide much height. As a result, you must lean forward to increase pressure on your wrists and hands.

Therefore, if you’re riding long distances, you may feel a tingling sensation or numbness.

However, if your handlebar allows you to ride your upright bike, you’ll feel more comfortable, even on long distances.

Unfortunately, riding your bike in an upright position strains your crotch area. Therefore, you should get a padded saddle if you prefer an upright handlebar.

Grip Clamp Diameter, Brake Lever, and Stem

If you need to replace an old handlebar, you should measure its stem clamp size.

Handlebar Material

A handlebar comes in several materials that support many riding styles.

• Aluminum Alloy

Aluminum is lightweight, affordable, and readily available in many handlebar designs. However, it’s 40% heavier than carbon but less susceptible to irreparable damage.

• Carbon Fiber

If you want to limit the overall weight of your bike, you should opt for a carbon fiber handlebar.

However, you may be uncomfortable, especially during long rides, because carbon fiber is very stiff. Moreover, it would help to take care of it because it’s more prone to damage.

A carbon fiber handlebar may have internal damage after a small drop or crash. Therefore, it can be dangerous to use the next time.

• Titanium

A titanium handlebar isn’t prevalent, but you may enjoy it because it’s less stiff, stronger, and lighter than its aluminum and carbon counterparts.

However, a titanium handlebar is costly because its production is more challenging to complete.

• Steel

A steel handlebar is rare nowadays, but it was popular in the 1960s. It’s more robust than carbon and aluminum but heavier and more expensive.

FAQs

Can I use an upright handlebar for my mountain bike?

You can use an upright handlebar for your mountain bike if you want to be in a good biking position. You may also fit a riser handlebar.

Should I sit upright on my bike?

You can sit upright on your bike if you prefer casual riding at a slow speed on a flat road. You may opt for a riser bar, flat bar, cruiser, or butterfly handlebar.

Can you sit upright on a road bike?

You can sit upright on a road bike if you have flat handlebars. However, you can’t sit more upright if you have a bullhorn, aero, or drop handlebar.

How can I increase the height of my bike handlebars?

You can raise the height of your bike handlebars by moving the headset spacers on the steerer tube.

Many bikes have up to 30 mm spacers that you can move. Moreover, you may use a stem raiser for more room for accessories.

Should my bike handlebar be higher than the seat?

Your bike handlebars may be higher or the same height as your seat.

However, if you’re a sporty rider preferring to ride aggressively and faster, you should fit your handlebar higher than your bike seat.

Do I lose weight if I bike upright?

You lose weight if you ride your bike, depending on workout intensity.

However, if you cycle more intensely, you lose more weight if you’re on an upright bicycle. Generally, you lose 600 calories per hour of cycling.

What is the preferred height for a bike handlebar?

You limit back, arms, and wrist stress if you fit your handlebar at the same level or higher than your seat.

Can I interchange bike handlebars?

You can interchange bike handlebars, but you should measure the stem clamp to ensure the new handlebar will fit your bike.

How can I choose the handlebar width?

Your choice of handlebar width depends on your cycling goals. You should pick a wider handlebar if you’re after stability and comfort when you ride.

A wide handlebar is better for increasing your cornering capabilities and on technical trails.

On the other hand, opt for a narrow handlebar if you’re after efficiency and speed.

It reduces drag and offers better aerodynamics because you tuck your elbows when your ride.

Is a wide handlebar better?

A wide handlebar is suitable for mountain bikes, but you should consider your needs before you opt for one.

A wide handlebar provides more leverage when tackling tight corners and technical trails.

You may enjoy it if you wish to reduce chest pressure because you can breathe more efficiently.

However, a narrow handlebar is suitable if you want to navigate traffic quickly or go faster.

Can I use a straight handlebar on my road bike?

If you’re unhappy using drop bars with your road bike, you may switch to a flat handlebar.

However, ensure that you buy a compatible handlebar with your bike’s stem size.