We catch up with one of our resident mountain bike riders, Rob, who’s been putting some of the Reverse Components Nico Vink Signature handlebars through their paces recently. Over to Rob…
Today, I’m diving into an essential component of our beloved bikes. The handlebars. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or just getting into the sport, understanding the benefits and nuances of handlebars can help you make an informed decision about your bike setup.
Reverse Components were super kind enough to supply me with a beautiful set of their Signature bars. The ones I chose were the Reverse Nico Vink Signature Series – 810mm wide by 35mm rise!
Why I chose these handlebars?
Being a tall rider (6ft 2) on a XL 29er 170mm bike the high rise applied to me. Having ridden my bike with a low 15mm bar it made the bike well flat and lacked the ‘poppieness’ and playfulness I was looking for. After countless lunch breaks sifting through Instagram looking at all these amazing riders, it suddenly clicked. They all have high bars!! Let’s do it…
Enhanced Control
With a higher rise, the handlebars bring your centre of gravity slightly back, which can improve control during descents and technical sections. This 35mm rise helped make it easier to manoeuvre the bike over obstacles and through tight turns and pop out of corners, just what I was looking for.
Improved Comfort
The higher position allows for a more upright riding position, helping me to keep my head up and look further down the trail. I also noticed that my posture on the climbs had also changed to a more natural position. For someone who doesn’t really like climbing this was way comfier for my pace.
How do they ride?
During the first ride, the most noticeable difference was the relaxed riding posture. My arms were less fatigued, and I felt more in control, especially when navigating steep descents and technical sections. Now I’m more than 10 rides deep on these bars and they have made my bike feel just how I wanted to handle, from big jumps at Dirt Farm to my local trails, these bars have made a huge difference to the way the bike handles. I’m riding with more confidence on trails I would normally struggle on. Just the perfect bar, exactly what I was looking for.
If you’re considering upgrading your handlebars, give high rise bars a try. They might just transform your riding experience and help you conquer new trails with confidence and ease. Massive thank you to Reverse Components for the handlebars!
Shop all Reverse Components available at Merlin Cycles here.
Read our Blog on the Best Pumps for All Budgets here.
