Today, you certainly no longer run the risk of riding handlebars that are too narrow. This is because the trend on brand-new mountain bikes is towards long handlebars, with dimensions of 75 to 80 centimetres being common. And there are numerous parameters that determine which handlebar width is ideal: body height, arm length, shoulder width, riding style and preferred terrain, for example.

A good indicator of the handlebar width is not going down, but going up: If you find yourself reaching inwards on the handlebars a lot on strenuous uphills, shortening the handlebars could provide more comfort and also safety. Bike manufacturer Ibis makes it easy when it comes to handlebars: The Carbon Handlebar is equipped with two 25 millimeter wide aluminium inserts that can be screwed into the ends of the handlebars. This makes it easy to switch between 75 and 80 centimetres without having to shorten the handlebars. Or - after reaching for the saw - you can shorten the handlebars and use the inserts to experiment with further lengths.

If you are now motivated to experiment with the handlebar width: First check whether the manufacturer of the handlebars approves them for shortening. Shortening the handlebars puts strain on other areas than the original length, including the areas where the brake, gear and remote levers are attached. If you make the effort, you might be pleasantly surprised at how much the right handlebar width makes a difference to fun and safety on a mountain bike.