What does lowering the bars do for a bike ?

jcole · 10-25-2008, 12:31 AM

I've been reading about integrated stems. Right now I am running a Boxxer WC with the tall crown and a bunch of spacers under it.

I keep reading in reviews of parts how this and that will "keep the bars nice and low".

What's nice about having the bars low ? Specifically, if I dropped the bars down with a "normal" crown, and an integrated stem, how will my bike feel at whistler and on steeper shore trails ?

J.Stubb · 10-25-2008, 12:42 AM

I used to have my old dh bike setup like a chopper cause I thought it was easier to do steeps etc. But once I dropped the bar by using an integrated stem, losing the spacers, and lowering the crowns I found it much better. For me it put my weight over the front wheel more so cornering became easier and the steep sections were just as easy... but I'll let someone who knows what they're talking about to explain things a little better.

Dean W · 10-25-2008, 12:43 AM

It gets more weight on the front wheel and gives better traction in turns.

To some it looks cool as well.

jetta_mike · 10-25-2008, 01:12 AM

I love my low bars......everyone loves a good low job.

mattj · 10-25-2008, 01:13 AM

I think the better balance over both wheels also allows you to hammer more effectively (think track bike positioning vs. freeride bikes)...

-m

simon@nshore · 10-25-2008, 01:13 AM

allows a more aggressive body position to control bike better

L. Ron Hubbard · 10-25-2008, 01:37 AM

Now that chainstays have gotten shorter (thank god), people don't have to compensate for long ass rear ends with tall ass front ends.

LeeLau · 10-25-2008, 01:46 AM

Much more aesthetic for straw baskets

jcole · 10-25-2008, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetta_mike

I love my low bars......everyone loves a good low job.

You've certainly lowered the bar with this post.

Posted via Mobile Device

DaveM · 10-25-2008, 02:12 AM

Check your headtube + headset length (stack height)

It's got to be 150mm or less to use a regular Boxxer crown.

Midas · 10-25-2008, 02:12 AM

I run a flat bar with a flat crown and direct mount, SO YOU SHOULD TOO.

J-Kwon · 10-25-2008, 02:22 AM

^ listen to this man, he drives a subaru!11!!!

FullMonty · 10-25-2008, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Kwon

^ listen to this man, he drives a subaru!11!!!

oh shit!

4 serial, I only have a single crown forx, I'm screwed!!!1

jzogaris · 10-25-2008, 03:13 AM

bascically keeping your front end as low as possible keeps your center of mass lower therefore making it easier to hit corners, think about hitting a corner in a car thats dropped vs in a suv it also makes your bike feel much more stable at high speeds

Sparkplug · 10-25-2008, 06:09 AM

My understanding is basically what everybody has said so far about having more weight over the front wheel - better traction/control for corners and better body positioning for riding in general. The person describing it to me likened cornering with lower front end - to the carving technique with skiing- it made sense to me, anyway...

10-25-2008, 12:31 AM	#1
jcole Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 865 Rep Power: 11904	What does lowering the bars do for a bike ? I've been reading about integrated stems. Right now I am running a Boxxer WC with the tall crown and a bunch of spacers under it. I keep reading in reviews of parts how this and that will "keep the bars nice and low". What's nice about having the bars low ? Specifically, if I dropped the bars down with a "normal" crown, and an integrated stem, how will my bike feel at whistler and on steeper shore trails ?

10-25-2008, 12:43 AM	#3
Dean W Formerly know as TheDude Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Maple Ridge Posts: 3,436 Rep Power: 845316	It gets more weight on the front wheel and gives better traction in turns. To some it looks cool as well. __________________ My Riding Journal....www.mtnbike.ca....www.FVMBA.com "If everything seems in control, you're not going fast enough." -Mario Andretti-

10-25-2008, 01:12 AM	#4
jetta_mike I heart bewbs Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Abbotsford BC Posts: 2,329 Rep Power: 5255964	I love my low bars......everyone loves a good low job. __________________ My Ride blog, with photos and everything. Fraser Valley Mountain Bikers Assoc. FVMBA Forum, for all the local updates.

10-25-2008, 02:12 AM	#11
Midas Logo in a circle. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: 211 balaclava st. Posts: 8,747 Rep Power: 559368	I run a flat bar with a flat crown and direct mount, SO YOU SHOULD TOO. __________________ // What's Good // F U N E R A L // Ultramontane

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10-25-2008, 12:42 AM	#2
J.Stubb Team RAD Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver Posts: 740 Rep Power: 263596	I used to have my old dh bike setup like a chopper cause I thought it was easier to do steeps etc. But once I dropped the bar by using an integrated stem, losing the spacers, and lowering the crowns I found it much better. For me it put my weight over the front wheel more so cornering became easier and the steep sections were just as easy... but I'll let someone who knows what they're talking about to explain things a little better.

10-25-2008, 01:13 AM	#5
mattj inactive Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,320 Rep Power: 50450	I think the better balance over both wheels also allows you to hammer more effectively (think track bike positioning vs. freeride bikes)... -m

10-25-2008, 01:13 AM	#6
simon@nshore Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 497 Rep Power: 6936	allows a more aggressive body position to control bike better

10-25-2008, 01:37 AM	#7
L. Ron Hubbard Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4,384 Rep Power: 621098	Now that chainstays have gotten shorter (thank god), people don't have to compensate for long ass rear ends with tall ass front ends.

10-25-2008, 01:46 AM	#8
LeeLau Trail Plug Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 6,681 Rep Power: 83179	Much more aesthetic for straw baskets

10-25-2008, 02:12 AM	#10
DaveM www.davemackie.ca Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Coquitlam Posts: 13,914 Rep Power: 15403500	Check your headtube + headset length (stack height) It's got to be 150mm or less to use a regular Boxxer crown.

10-25-2008, 02:22 AM	#12
J-Kwon bikeless Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Maple Ridge Posts: 4,919 Rep Power: 711605	^ listen to this man, he drives a subaru!11!!!

10-25-2008, 03:13 AM	#14
jzogaris girls just wanna have fun Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,993 Rep Power: 2624	bascically keeping your front end as low as possible keeps your center of mass lower therefore making it easier to hit corners, think about hitting a corner in a car thats dropped vs in a suv it also makes your bike feel much more stable at high speeds

10-25-2008, 06:09 AM	#15
Sparkplug Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Port Moody Posts: 1,363 Rep Power: 1225187	My understanding is basically what everybody has said so far about having more weight over the front wheel - better traction/control for corners and better body positioning for riding in general. The person describing it to me likened cornering with lower front end - to the carving technique with skiing- it made sense to me, anyway...

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