EWS Tech Talk: How High Do Pro Enduro Racers Have Their Handlebars? - Video

May 11, 2018
by UCI Mountain Bike World Series  

Handlebar height all comes down to personal preference and varies massively from rider to rider. Ric McLaughlin takes a tour of the pits at Round 3 of the Enduro World Series in France to see how the pros set up theirs.

Theo Galy: 1080mm
Kenta Gallagher: 1060mm
Isabeau Courdurier: 1050mm
Sam Hill: 1042mm
Mitch Ropelato: 1040mm
Cecile Ravanel: 1060mm
Iago Garay: 1070mm
Jesse Melamed: 1065mm
Remi Gauvin: 1067mm
Jerome Clementz: 1040mm
Matt Simmonds: 1080mm
Ines Thoma: 1100mm

MENTIONS: @EnduroWorldSeries


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113 Comments
  • 86 1
 PB really set the bar high on the write up-
  • 20 0
 Few can measure up to it...
  • 46 4
 Seriously, can't we just get SOME text about the information. Not everyone can watch videos all day long.
  • 24 0
 @laxguy: They did it just to get a rise out of you.
  • 11 0
 @laxguy: I feel your pain, my PB consumption is always at work. Have to keep it covert.
  • 9 1
 Guess the write up was just too much to handle? Very gripping video, tho.
  • 5 0
 That's a bit of a sweeping statement..
  • 4 0
 This one was really a reach...
  • 20 1
 @laxguy:
Theo Galy: 1080mm
Kenta Gallagher: 1060mm
Isabeau Courdurier: 1050mm
Sam Hill 1042mm
Mitch Ropelato: 1040mm
Cecile Ravanel: 1060mm
Iago Garay: 1070mm
Jesse Melamed: 1065mm
Remi Gauvin: 1067mm
Jerome Clementz: 1040mm
Matt Simmonds: 1080mm
Ines Thoma: 1100mm
  • 5 2
 I think PB could stem the comments and put a fork in the discussion if they just included some text.
  • 1 0
 @brianpark: Thanks bud.
  • 3 0
 @brianpark: Brb, measuring mine make sure it sits nicely at 1042mm.
  • 5 3
 @macross87: wish they did dick sizes too to compare
  • 3 0
 @grantschooling: The old Dick to Bar ratio you reckon ? I'd be running tiny bars for sure
  • 3 0
 @brianpark: how is this measured exactly. Ground to top of the bar, top of the grip, center of bar, etc?
  • 63 5
 Did I really just watch this? MM off due to bike not truly level, no BB height that is absolutely relevant to bar height. Then lets talk bike size, to rider height, the also width of bar as wider bar brings you forward on bike. This one half way measurement is so pointless.
  • 32 0
 i demand a spreadsheet.
  • 8 0
 @adrennan: and pivot table
  • 28 2
 @H3RESQ - agreed. What an absolutely useless measurement with zero context. Next week - Ric will tell us how wide a funnel is.
  • 3 0
 I'm a little concerned right now, about your salvation and stuff.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSy1NQx2bJE
  • 7 0
 the tape was also angled for some of the bikes, giving false results.
  • 6 0
 Agreed. Even just spacer stack height and handlebar rise specs would've been more informative.
  • 4 1
 @sriracha: not really because that doesn't take head tube length, axle to crown, or wheel seize into account.

Its true that bottom bracket to bars would be more useful but eh BB heights don't vary that much, and the actually distance to the ground the bars are does have a relationship to cornering that is independent of bottom bracket height.
Like has been mentioned already there have been several successful riders known for being very particular about bar height and having it the same for every bike they own.
  • 3 0
 Nerdiest comment section on pinkbike. Well done!
  • 1 0
 if they don't measure from the pedals, what a dumb video...or at least from the head tube!
  • 1 0
 @KennyWatson: right, and suspension sag thrown into the mix as well
  • 46 0
 Sam is class “Doesn’t matter to me what other people are doing does it?”
  • 2 0
 Nevertheless, I had to go measure my handlebar using the same " method" and the funny thing is ...i don't feel any better
  • 2 0
 Even more telling is when the tent they are in gets blown around and everyone else is starting to freak out, he remains calm and composed just like he is on the track.
  • 21 2
 Ah, more of the hard hitting journalistic excellence we've come to expect from pinkbike.
  • 1 0
 To be fair, it wasn't a Pinkbike video. It was an EWS video.
  • 18 1
 I think this is a useful measurement, if you ride your bike by standing on the floor
  • 17 6
 f*cking useless. BB heights are all owner the map so what's the point measuring bar height? Especially when the way they're being measured probably has more than +/- 10mm going on.

What would have been better to ask is "what do you think the benefits of running a lower bar are?". Then it would have been interesting and we'd see who knows what is going on.
  • 4 0
 well I stack a lot so I turned my bike upside-down to measure it, =0.0m........seems about as relevant
  • 9 0
 just measured my bars from the floor and they came up at 2.4 meters when the bike is on my roof rack , so do i win???
  • 4 0
 Angled/curved tape measure is for amateurs. I keep the tape measured rolled up. My bar height is well over 5m. Pretty sure if I get a longer tape measure, I can even beat Ropelato on this.
  • 13 0
 Love that the general answer is along the lines of "wtf no I don't know it it just goes fast."
  • 11 6
 Always been the case. 98% of the noise on this site is a circle jerk of weekend warriors.

Clearly it's what they want to know about though, so makes sense there is content about it, just always funny to be reminded that the pros ride more than focus on this shit.
  • 7 0
 @nvranka: they may not know the number but they know where they want it and even make 2mm adjustments. More appropriate to measure from centre of B.B. height to handlebar height difference
  • 1 0
 @won-sean-animal-chin: meh suppose you're right, but my point was they aren't going around talking to each other about it.
  • 1 0
 @nvranka: ya personal preferences varied
  • 2 0
 It's totally personal pref but I think it's funny nobody knew even within an inch minus Jerome. Must be nice to show up and have personal mechanic crunching the numbers for you. I have actually been measuring this more as I build a new bike for many years and have my pref depending on type of setup it is street/DH/AM etc.
  • 1 0
 @fecalmaster: I don’t know if it means anything but the difference between the top of my bars and centre of B.B. height is my leg inseam length.eZ to remember I guess. Same on my trail and dh bike
  • 3 0
 That's interesting,, my AM/Enduro build is 2 mm shorter than Sam Hill. Maybe I'll ride like him this weekend or crash trying.
  • 4 0
 @fecalmaster: I put bush guards on last week. Totally riding like Sam now . Inside lines sooo ez............
  • 2 1
 @fecalmaster: i'm glad i'm not the only one who measures bar height. I think it is relative to your bike, setup and type of riding and terrain.
  • 1 0
 @nvranka: ^this. Nice one! - laugh? I nearly bought a round!
  • 1 0
 @GoWithTheFlo: you ok?
  • 2 0
 If I take my bar height plus my BB height divide that by my wheel size then take the square root of that, multiply it by the number of frootloops in a box of...frootloops all I get is a bunch of useless numbers , and that would almost be interesting
  • 1 0
 @fecalmaster: Jerome doesn't "inch"
  • 1 0
 Thanks Uber anal lunatic. Yes have been riding longer than you have been alive and very aware of the different measurements used round the world, stunad.
  • 1 0
 @fecalmaster: It was a joke. Lighten up Francis!
  • 11 0
 Am I the only person who thinks Jesse Melamed looks/sounds like the one stoner dude from the first Super Troopers movie? Just going across the boarder for some fries and gravy sir.
  • 3 0
 Poutine
Canada huh? Almost made it.
  • 2 0
 bar height meow
  • 8 0
 Yup, that was a sad waste of time. Could have asked / measured more interesting or relevant things.
  • 8 0
 Now where did I put my measure tape?
Must be in the bathroom,as usual.
  • 6 0
 that was pretty pointless...........I am now going to adjust my bar height to match Sam Hill's
  • 4 0
 I bet my 6'6" bod with a properly fitting bike set up with 160 mm shocks has higher bars than what you puny humans rides. What doe this mean? I'm not just an ass, but I'm a really big ass.
  • 3 0
 Is there any difference (feel or geo) between running extra spacers and a low rise bar vs less spacers with a high rise bar.

Eg

1080mm made from 3x10mm spacer and 10mm bar rise
Vs
1080mm made from 0 spacers and 40mm bar rise
?
  • 2 0
 Depending on the sweep of the bar, the grips may be further forward or backward on the hi-rise bar option.
  • 1 0
 @mrtoodles: True that, is there any difference in feel due to leverage as I'm thinking the a high rise bar mounted without spacers closer to the top of the frame steering tube has a different leverage point to a lower bar mounter higher, further from the frame steering tube.....?
  • 4 0
 Yes there is, more spacers will reduce reach, with the slacker the HTA angle meaning more reach is lost at a given spacer height. In practice if you bike feels too long add spacers with a low rise bar, or high rise bar with no spacers to give it a little more reach. Can make 5-12mm difference in reach on most bikes with 20-30mm of spacers.
  • 2 0
 @smuggly: depends on the angle of bars. If you run the backsweep in line with the steerer then it makes no difference. If you roll your bars it makes a difference.

The issue with raising the bars too much is weight to front wheel. It's all a bit of a balancing act.
  • 1 0
 I was having the exact same thought recently, and I came to the conclusion that there’s no difference between the two options, assuming two constants; 1. You’re using the same model of bar just in different rise heights and 2. You clamp the bar to the stem at exactly the same angle for each bar.

The only reason I could think of for choosing higher rise bars over stacking more spacers under the stem would be for people who have their steerer tube cut too short and can’t fit any more spacers under the stem?
  • 1 0
 @oatkinso: the only thing I have noticed is that spacers don't quite feel as still having the stem directly against the headset - altho that maybe that Renthal 10 and 38mm bars are different stiffness due to the rise...
  • 6 2
 Really, would have been much better to measure saddle>bar drop since that's what matters and controls the leverage a rider has.
  • 2 0
 The guy to Sam Hill " your bar is at 1042...how do you feel about that ?" What a ridiculous question, so funny, I mean he' s not going to cry all night under his bed eating 2 gallons of ice cream because his bars are lower or higher than some other rider
  • 6 2
 That video was awkward. Bring back Lord Cunny. Really easy to eff that measurement up if the bike wasn't 100% level.
  • 1 0
 100% AGREE AWITH THAT COMMENT, AND FRONT AND REAR TIRE NEED TO BE ALIGN AS WEEL
  • 2 0
 Isn't it really stack height (Bar height minus BB height) that matters more than absolute bar height? Or are we just assuming that everyone's BB is sufficiently low as to be comparable at this point?
  • 1 0
 I’d be interested to know whether the guys running shed loads of spacers under their stems are doing it to reduce their reach or because it feels better on steep stuff? If it’s the former then it kinda rubbishes the current trend for longer bikes?
  • 1 0
 Always really interesting to see the differences between each rider. some of my friends and I had a discussion about the percentage of bar height in comparison to rider height and arms length. it would be very interesting to geek it out a little bit.
  • 3 0
 I have mine currently on the front, and I think that’s the best place for them
  • 2 0
 What's the point of measuring bar height?
Bar height compare to bb height maybe makes some sense?
These are not road bikes....
  • 1 0
 ^ This + rider height would make a shit ton of sense. Most sports take body proportions into account when choosing equipment, MTBiking just seems to go by pros-run-this-measurement-so-I-should-too.
  • 1 0
 this metric without knowing seat height seems to lack value. I'm more interested in height of the bars in relation to the seat.
  • 3 0
 Bolted to the front of the bike ????
  • 2 1
 Mine is higher than yours!!!! Mine is higher than yours!!!!!!!....... Smoke drug and ride instead of measuring and brainstorming my friends! Smile
  • 2 0
 Most rider don't even bother, care or give a sh**, so why make a video about it ?
  • 3 0
 What a paradoxically interesting yet also meaningless video. Thanks guys.
  • 1 0
 I'd like to see riders stand next to their bike to see the bar height in relation to their body. Ie above or below their hip bone.
  • 1 0
 I wanna know shoe size and what side of their head is the part in their hair. If the have hair. Or a part. Maybe bangs. Or dreads.
  • 3 2
 Sam Hill was like, I don't care about the bar height, just make sure I have flat pedals...
  • 1 0
 I'd like to know reach vs height of the person as well as head angle and wheelbase vs height of the person.
  • 1 0
 It would make more sense to measure bar height, then subtract bb height at 23% sag.
  • 2 0
 I climb with my balls on the left side of the seat
  • 1 0
 Shared this with my wife, proving that I'm not the only one that says 60mm is "massive".
  • 1 0
 Nico Lau would win this by far!!
  • 3 1
 Who cares?
  • 1 0
 No one.
  • 1 0
 @endlessblockades: I kinda do but it is relative to your bike and personal set up. But it does matter.
  • 2 0
 @fartymarty:

I know. I'm just getting tired of waiting for the next WC DH race and am finding some of this PB content a bit filler-ish in the meantime.
  • 1 0
 @endlessblockades: for me it's one of those "big picture" measurements for height like wheelbase is for length. If yours bars are a certain height it means everything else is in balance.
  • 1 0
 @endlessblockades: agreed we need some more racing to liven things up content wise as there has been a lot of click bait recently.
  • 1 0
 @fartymarty: ya but you’re one of those James Wilson pedal guys so we know where you’re at.
  • 1 0
 @jflb: damn, I am really that predictable.
  • 1 0
 I wasn't aware anyone actually measured this...
  • 1 0
 Steve Jones used to swear by a 41" bar height.
  • 1 0
 @fartymarty: On what bike?
  • 1 0
 @jclnv: enduro
  • 2 0
 @fartymarty: His brain must melt when he rides something new like a Genius etc. "The bars feel too high, oh no the magical 41" isn't universal".
  • 1 0
 @jclnv: that's probably the case now he's reviewing ebikes for a living.
  • 1 0
 Cool now im going to put my bars at 1042mm just like Sam hill
  • 2 0
 #timewaster
  • 1 0
 I think I run mine low. Should measure.
  • 1 0
 And next week on Pinkbike: how high does the 50:01 crew ride their bikes.
  • 1 0
 Did I saw right, that Sam is riding on Spec. Power saddle?
  • 1 0
 only place to run your bars is at 420.69mm
  • 1 0
 Lame!

Handlebar - Bottom Bracket Height = Handlebar Height







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