I recently bought my first BMX and the dude who selled it to me told me to put the handlebars more perpendicular to the ground instead of the stem because I'm taller than his son (the previous owner). So I straightened them up and now they are at 90 degrees to the ground but it seems wrong because the stem is at an angle.
Is it ok to straighten them or not? Thanks
(The photos are just examples of the different angles)
by ERREBERTO
9 Comments
Given your situation, maybe somewhere between before and after. With the bars that far forward(after photo) the bike will handle weird.
Slightly slanted is perfect so probably right in between
They should sit like the first picture.
From the side view, parallel with the forks.
Line of the bars should follow the line of the forks from the side
If the frame is the right size, then i would possibly get some handlebars with a higher rise.
Or just ride it more and get used to it.
On a bmx bike, when you are riding the bike with the cranks level to the ground and legs straight, your back is going to be closer to horizontal than it is to vertical. This is different on other styles of bikes that you may be used to.
If you want to double check the fitment of your body to your bike then check this chart out.
https://www.sdwheelworks.com/blogs/blog/sd-wheel-works-bmx-bike-sizing-guide/
Gotchaa, what’s the rise on your bars?
Anywhere in-between those two photos. There’s no rules. People saying it should be inline with the forks should be taken as a guideline but not gospel.
Ahaaa, haro website says they come with either 8″ or 8.25″.
Personally i ride with 9″s but i know 10″ is pretty common. Getting some taller bars would be a good place to start.
Spending more money does suck, buuuuut getting a new part here and there over time will transform your bike to the perfect setup for you. 👌🏽
There’s no actual rule book on bar angle, but fairly logically to far forward places your weight over the front which isn’t ideal. You can tell usually when someone’s not a bmx rider and more of a sit down a cruise around as they’ve always got the bars jack forward which is fine for that situation and use, but isn’t ideal or safe for proper bmx riding on ramps,street, jumps etc. Give or take a few degree’s forwards or backwards of the inline with the forks is fine for the most part, otherwise anything more really means a longer or shorter frames would be advisable.