A great way to enhance your ride quality is to adjust your riding position by installing a different handlebar. As this is similar to changing your stem, please read the "Stem Upgrade" article as well. Handlebars come in a variety of diameters, rises, back-sweeps, widths, and materials. It is important to reference your bike's specs before ordering a replacement handlebar to ensure it is compatible. In this article, we will go through what each specification means and what you need to know when changing out your handlebar.
The #1 limiting factor for changing out your handlebars is the length of the electronic cables. As shift and brake hoses can technically be swapped out for longer ones, there is no way to extend/ lengthen the electronic cables for the e-bike components. The replacement handlebar's width and rise are the variables that will more commonly lead to this issue. If you are unsure of the limitations of the length of your cables, it is usually beneficial to get the opinion of your local Aventon dealer shop.
At the bottom of this page, the stock bar clamp specs will be listed for all Aventon E-bikes.
Handlebar Compatibility Specifications
-Diameter: The clamp diameter is the center part of the handlebar that is gripped by the stem on the bike. The handlebar that you purchase requires that the stem on your bike has the same clamping diameter. If these measurements do not match, the handlebar will simply not fit into the stem and it will not be able to be secured. Some common clamp diameter sizes are 25.4mm, 31.8mm, and 35mm. This measurement will normally be specified on the stem or handlebar itself but if it is not, it will likely be found in the specs or product info of the product. The diameter of the handlebar where the grips are installed is 22.2mm or 7/8" and is universal across nearly all bicycle handlebars. If your handlebar does not match the stem size, you can always install a stem that matches the new handlebar's clamp diameter (Figure 1)
-Rise: The rise of the handlebar is the measurement of how high the handle grip of the bar rises vertically from the clamp area. Some bars have zero rise but others can have a very high rise. For most e-bikes, you will want to be conservative with how much extra rise you add when swapping a handlebar in order to ensure your cables are not too short. If your cables are getting pulled on from the demands of regular riding, they are likely to be damaged. It is important to ensure the new handlebar is not too large for your application. Our warranty does not cover cables or housing damage due to an incompatible handlebar being installed. The main benefit of a higher rise is to ease stress on the rider's back. (Figure 1)
-Back Sweep: The back sweep of the handlebar refers to how far the handlebar comes back towards the rider. A bar with 0 back sweep means that the bar is straight across and the rider will need to lean forward to grip the bars but a bar with a lot of back sweep will allow the rider to sit more upright. Our Sinch Step-Over and Step-Thru are a handlebar with the least amount of backsweep while our Pace models include a handlebar with the most amount of back sweep that we offer. The main benefits of back sweep are to ease stress on the riders back and wrists. (Figure 1 & 2)
-Width: The width of the handlebar is the overall length from side to side. Usually, a commuter or city bike will have a bar with less width while a mountain bike will commonly have a wider handlebar. A narrower handlebar can be more convenient while riding in the city or for those with narrow shoulders while a wider handlebar can offer more control with aggressive riding or can simply be more comfortable for a larger rider. Most handlebars can be shortened and will have pre-measured "cut lines" marked on the bar from the manufacturer. (Figure 1)
-Material: Bicycle handlebars come in many material options including steel, alloy, carbon fiber, and titanium. Steel (heavy) and alloy (lightweight) are usually more affordable options while carbon and titanium handlebars are both lightweight options but offer unmatched rigidity and strength.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Installation:
Installing a new handlebar is a fairly easy process for most home mechanics. Required tools are a metric hex key set (2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, and 5mm). Before disassembly, it can be helpful to take a photo of the cockpit to confirm the orientation of the components. Begin by removing the grips. You will either need to loosen the set screws for lock-on grips, blow off solid rubber grips with an air compressor, or cut off glued-on grips (will need to be replaced if cut). Next, loosen both brake levers, shifter, control pad, and throttle. You will need to completely remove the 2 display clamp bolts and carefully remove the display clamp from the handlebar. Lastly, loosen and remove the stem faceplate in order to remove the handlebar (Figure 3). Then, slide off the components from the loose handlebar. When installing the new handlebar, First slide the components back on in their respective order. Position the bar onto the stem and reinstall the faceplate (and headlight bracket, if applicable) following any specifications it may have listed, such as (no gap or torque specs)(Figure 4). It is important to ensure the handlebar is centered in the stem clamp (Figure 5). While installing the stem faceplate, alternate tightening the bolts in an X pattern to evenly load each bolt (Figure 6). Once the handlebar is locked in place reinstall the display and carefully snug the clamps till it does not move around(do not overtighten). Then, reinstall the grips and then snug each component in place ensuring the orientation of each component allows you to properly operate the bike. Once completed, check for safe operation before riding the bike. Turn the bars completely to each side to ensure the cables are not overly stressed. Adjusting the angle of the bars in the stem as well as the angle of the brake levers can all help dial in the comfort and feel of your new cockpit.
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Aventon Stock Bar Clamp Specs: (rise and back sweep may vary between models)
Aventure (All): 31.8mm
Level (All): 31.8mm
Pace 350/ 500 (All): 31.8mm
Sinch Step-Over/ Step-Thru: 25.4mm
Sinch.2: 31.8mm
Soltera (All): 31.8mm
Abound: 31.8mm
Ramblas: 35mm