How to Set the Handlebars of a Bicycle

The handlebars of a bicycle do a lot more than provide the means for steering the bike. Properly set, handlebars provide stability and comfort, and they enhance performance and facilitate the distribution of weight. With a few basic tools, you can make adjustments to the height, width and reach of the handlebars, all of which will improve your overall enjoyment of your bicycle.

Things You'll Need

  • 4-foot level
  • Adjustable wrench
  • Tape measure
  • Plumb line
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Instructions

    • 1

      Make all adjustments by loosening the appropriate nut holding the handlebar in position for the adjustment, such as the stem, with an adjustable wrench. Make adjustments and tighten securely.

    • 2

      Place a 4-foot level on the bicycle seat and hold it level over the handlebars. Measure the distance from the bottom of the level to the handlebars.

    • 3

      Set the handlebars at an equal distance or up to 2 inches below the seat for road use, 1 to 4 inches for off-road riding.

    • 4

      Lower the handlebars to reduce weight on the seat. Handlebars that are too high will increase weight on the seat and subsequently the back tire. The result is a bumpy ride.

    • 5

      Adjust the handlebar height so when you are sitting on the bicycle, your back angle is 45-degrees and adjust as needed for your personal body weight distribution.

    • 6

      Check the width of the handlebars. Place your hands on the handlebars and measure the distance from the outside of one hand to the outside of the other hand. Measure the width of your shoulders. Adjust the width of the handlebars, or purchase new handlebars, so that the width of your shoulders is equal to the width between the outsides of your hands.

    • 7

      Check the reach of your handlebars. Sit on the bicycle with the bicycle in a trainer. Position your body the way you ride. Have a friend hold a string with a weight on it at the tip of your nose. The plumb line should be an inch past the center of the handlebars.