I've got the SQlab 30X carbon bar 16 degree sweep with 30mm rise on one of my bikes and the OneUp carbon 35mm rise on my other bike so I'm happy to answer any questions that you might have. Unfortunately I don't understand the problem that you're describing (palms overstretched and pinky hanging off) and why you think more backsweep would help. If you could add to your description, I'll try to help. A couple of comments regarding the SQlab bars - (1) they're great for alleviating hand and finger numbness as the increased sweep put your wrists (or at least my wrists) in a more neutral position and (2) the SQlab 30mm rise bar is equivalent to 20mm rise in most other bars, so I'd recommend the 45mm rise if you're looking for something closer to 35mm. I'll eventually replace my OneUp bar with an SQlab bar as the OneUps don't do anything for my hand and finger numbness.

 

I guess what I'm trying to describe would be there isn't enough backsweep to the bars. Like my wrists feel too angled inward when I try to get the outside of the palm onto the grip with causes wrist pain and my pinky often goes numb. My thinking was the additional backsweep would bring the ends of the bars closer to my body alleviating my wrist angle issue.

do you have their carbon bars or the aluminum?

 

I've got their carbon bar and it absolutely helped me with the numbness. I'd also recommend their 711 MTB Tech and Trail 2.0 grip as well. Between their bars and grips I've eliminated 90 - 95% of the numbness that I used to feel. The increased sweep will also bring the grips closer to you by about 10mm which may or may not be an issue for you. I ended up putting a longer stem on my bike to compensate.

 

I like my Answer 20/20 bars. They go forward first, so the grips end up in roughly the same spot, so doesn't affect stem length.
Worth a look.

 

I replaced some 9° backsweep 30mm riser bars with SQ Lab 12° backsweep 45mm carbon and am very happy with them.
I have a stiff wrist from a fracture decades ago and the back sweep of the SQ lab bars is much more comfortable.
With the 12° back sweep, I did not need to get a longer stem to feel like I was maintaining a good riding position.
I was curious about the 16° back sweep but had read in a few places that one would often need to go with a longer stem to compensate.

 

I was curious about the 16° back sweep but had read in a few places that one would often need to go with a longer stem to compensate.

There are a number of bars that go forward before sweeping back, so you don't need a longer stem. @TwoTone mentioned the Protaper 20/20. I have the Salsa Bends, which are 17 degrees and also come in 23 degrees. When I was researching higher sweep bars, I also came up with Ritchey Kyote (aluminum), Regular Cycles (carbon), Passchier Gump (in bamboo), Mcfk (carbon, only 12 deg though).

On the other hand, stems are cheap. A longer stem to put the grips of the SQLab bar in the same position as a forwards-then-backwards sweep bar that ends up with the grips in the same place relative to the steerer has the same end result in terms of fit/ride/handling, etc.

 

@jimmytang sounds like you prefer the SQLab to the OneUp. are you able to comment on how vertical compliance of each compares? I moved from a RaceFace bar to the OneUp and it was a huge improvement, that RF was way too stiff for me! now I'm looking into more back-sweep for the wrist-angle benefit.

 

It sounds like we have similar handlebar preferences. On one of my bikes I went from a RaceFace Next R carbon bar (35mm dia. and 35mm rise) to the carbon SQlab (31.6mm dia, 16 degree backsweep, and 30mm rise). The SQlab bar is way stiffer than the RaceFace (yes, you heard that right) but I've come to realize that the increased backsweep plays a much greater role in reducing wrist, hand, and finger numbness and pain than does compliance. I don't even notice the stiffness anymore.

On my other bike I went from the carbon RaceFace Next SL bars (31.6mm dia. and 20 degree rise) to the carbon OneUp bars (35mm dia. and 35 degree rise). The OneUp bars are definitely more compliant but that compliance only translates to a small reduction in the pain and numbness. I've reached the conclusion that increased backsweep has a much greater effect on reducing hand and wrist issues than does compliance. Even though I just purchased the OneUp bars four months ago, I'll be replacing them with SQlab bars in the not-too-distant future. I don't want this to sound like I'm bashing OneUp. They're a well-made, compliant handlebar but in my case the increased compliance didn't solve my issues.

If you decide to go with the SQlab bars, I'd recommend the 16 degree backsweep; don't bother with the 12 degree. Also the SQlab 30mm rise bar is comparable to a 20mm rise in the RaceFace bar so you might consider the 45mm rise if you want a bar that ends up at 30 - 35mm rise. The 16 degree backsweep will put your grips a little closer to your body so you might need to go with a shorter stem.

Hopefully this helps out. If not, hit me up again.

 

Hopefully this helps out. If not, hit me up again.

Really helpful, thanks! The comment about going straight to 16 degree is interesting since SQLab calls out 12 for AM / DH “upright” riding and 16 for XC “stretched out” riding. Have you tried both, or can you just tell based on the feel of the 16?

 

I have the 45mm rise 12deg bar, bought it because I liked sq saddles. So I've been using salsa bars for quite a few years, they have an 11deg back sweep, more than most. I tried a renthal high rise because I needed the rise, very popular and sharp looking bar, but more like 6-7deg. I never had so much hand pain, sq bar fixed it, I'd say it's even more comfortable than the salsa bars. If they weren't so expensive I'd like to try a 16.

 

anyone have the 311 FL-X bar? hows the flex on a trail bike? too flexy?

 

All the info one could ever want on SQlab 30X bars. Lots more info in the comments as well.

NSMB.com - SQlab Bars Defy Convention with 12º and 16º Sweep

Virtually every mountain biker rides handlebars with sweep between 7 and 9 degrees but is that actually the sweet spot for everyone?

nsmb.com

 

Thanks. I read that no mention of the FLX. They say its for bikes with less than 130mm travel. Thinking it might be TOO flexy. I hate flexy stems. My syntace Vector are a little on the harsh side tho.

 

No more left-wrist pain after I replaced my 800mm-length Ibis carbon handlebar with an SQlab 30mm-rise 16°-backsweep 780mm-length carbon bar about a year ago. I am very happy with the SQlab bar.

 

I'm currently riding a 30X 12° aluminum bar (with SQLab Inner Bar Ends) cut down from 780 to about 750, maybe 740. I'm thinking about getting something with a little more sweep in the 15-20° range. I want something with just a little bit of rise, so some of the other current options like Corvus and Hunter don't appeal to me. SQLab stuff has been solid, so I'm looking at SQLab again.

• the 311 has a forward wiggle that would probably allow the same hand position as a "normal" handlebar without necessitating a longer stem. It's already cut to 740mm, which is as narrow as I would want it. It's also listed as a category 3 XC/ Marathon bar, which I understand means it might not be up to the task of sending big jumps, which is sufficient for my riding. It's a little cheaper and lighter than the 30x.
• the 30x lacks the forward wiggle so a slightly longer stem might be wise. it's a little burlier and costs a little more.

is there any reason that I might choose another 30x over that 311 bar?

old thread, sorry.

 

Preferred stiffness or peace of mind or just not wanting to get a longer stem.

 

I have a spare stem that's 10mm longer if I need it, so that's a non-issue. I'd rather have a little compliance,.but I don't know if one of those bars would make a noticable difference in that regard. I have never broken a handlebar and rarely break anything, so I'm sure a XC-rated handlebar will be fine for me. Neither of these options are for weight weenies. The price difference is negligible and I only mentioned it in case that reflects some major variation in quality.

edit: ordered a 30x 16° medium rise bar this morning. I was going to get the low bar but the medium ... looks better IMO and I have enough space with stem and spacers to get the grips where I want them. I'm not getting younger and maybe raising my bar to slightly above my saddle might be a good idea. Andrew Major (NSMB, MeatEngines) reports after much experimenting that he didn't use a longer stem to accommodate for the increased sweep, but it might work for some people.

 

I have the 30x 16 on the wife's bike (which I ride some times-ebike). I really dig it, I don't think you'll need to use a longer stem. My personal bikes have the 12deg's.