[EVERYUSERNAMEISTAKEN]

I want to try out a wider bar on my 2010 Spot. The bar I am using now is 685mm wide and the new bar would be 711. Should I go wider than 711? Wasn't sure how much of a difference 685 to 711 would feel like.

I realize bar width is largely personal preference but I would appreciate your opinions.

Thanks

 

[gregmazo]

This is the best thing you'll ever do to raise your level of riding.
I would say try a 711 to start with, then when you get used to it, see how it goes and then maybe try wider.
I run a 710 on my spot and love it.
Some people say wider bars are just trendy, those people are really dumb.

 

[Qcamel]

Went from 685 to 720 a few weeks ago and love them. No downsides that I have noticed but a different feel to the bike that inspires confidence..Definitely give it a try

 

[Mr Pink]

I went from a 680 bar to 711, no going back:thumbsup:

 

[wheatgerm]

I also went from 680 to 711. Great move and will never go back. You may also want to run a shorter stem when you make the bar switch.

 

[shalesjr]

Yes, Do It!

Went from 685mm to 750mm, love it, no going back. Only a few spots on the trails I ride where the width is a bit to wide to fit through, but other than that awesome! I say get wider than 711mm, that way you can cut them down to your preference.

 

[BBW]

Body structure(shoulder width) will impact optimum bar width.. if you go too wide, it could bother your upper back depending on your riding position. Wider bars offers more control. I went from a 635 to a 710 and then cut it back to 685 since it was bothering my upper back and I couldn't fit through many places where I ride.
Give it a try, you can always cut it

 

[rr]

Not sure how much you will notice the diff, I run 711 bars and they work great for our trails here, wouldn't want anything wider tho with some of the trails I ride like Mt herman

 

[EVERYUSERNAMEISTAKEN]

I appreciate all of the feedback! Ordered a 2011 Easton Havoc DH bar. It is 750mm wide but as several of you mentioned I can always cut it down to find the sweet spot if I need to.

Looking forward to trying it out when it gets here.

 

[stevo5]

Check!

I also changed from 685 with 90 stem to 711 and 70 stem and all is good but a few tight tree moves that have been a little tricky!

 

[.Shawn.]

I appreciate all of the feedback! Ordered a 2011 Easton Havoc DH bar. It is 750mm wide but as several of you mentioned I can always cut it down to find the sweet spot if I need to.

Looking forward to trying it out when it gets here.

Just my own personal experience but make sure you stick with the full length for a while. It might be easy to think you want to cut them down but if you give them a chance you'll probably keep them full length. I thought I was going to cut my right away by the way they felt at first but a few rides and many gnarly sections later I'm glad I kept them long. Mine are 765mm and I'm not a long armed guy by any means. You'll love them!

 

[prooperator]

Do try!

I run a 745 sunline bar on mine and love it. I wish I'd made the change sooner. Lots more control and no noticeable difference in clearance of tight trails for me.:thumbsup:

 

[TTTURNER]

Shoulder width and whether or not you ride trails with lots of trees is what you should consider. If you are a big guy, your wide shoulders will have to make it through the trees anyway. So, you can get away with a wider bar. My buddies that ride the trees in Tahoe ride amazingly narrow bars.

 

[rr]

exactly, wider is not always better