MrWasabi

I'm looking at some new riser handlebars and am wondering about rise? What's everyone's preference?

Thanks.

JonathanGennick 

It should mainly be about where you want your hands to end up. I had a bike last year that tended to cause me wrist pain whenever I rode it. I swapped bars for a slightly higher rise and that was enough to shift my weight backward just enough to completely relieve the wrist pain. Now that bike is one of my favorites.

MrWasabi

Thanks Jonathan,

I couldn't edit my title. After I looked at the bars in question (FSA Afterburners), I noticed it was a typo on the site I was looking at. They actually only come in a flat and 15mm rise. I'm 5'9" and my back isn't what it used to be so I think I'm going to got with the 15mm rise.

mickw

Handlebars are really a personal thing , there is no right or wrong , just what you prefer or need.
I like a slight rise , mostly for lower back and reach problems.
I've read that a slight rise makes the bars more compliant (less stiff) than flatter bars.
I had similar bars to the traverse when new , then tried trekking bars which helped for comfort.
I wasn't thrilled with the look , so I tried bars that had more wrist angle to bring the bars closer than flat bars.
These were my next bar (currently)
https://www.amazon.com/Origin8-Space.../dp/B002I7K57Q
Fairly cheap to try and I kinda like them better than the trekking bars.
You could try different stem length and angle also , but these were easy to swap and try , all controls fit fine and the bar center was 25.4mm standard size.
I also like the Surly Open Bar , same deal more angle , more hand positions because of the control length on the bars.
Bars are the last step in the bike fit/comfort thing , so it may take a few tries , but it's worth it when you're done.
Mick

MrWasabi

Thanks Mick,

I ended up getting some FSA Afterburner bars 15 degree rise:
FSA Afterburner Low Riser - FSA

I got the 685mm width as I want to cut them down to about 650mm. I picked them up new for $30 so I figured give that a try before changing stems and just hacking up my stock bars. I don't think I'd want more wrist angle but maybe I'll try that later if this doesn't work out.

2702

15mm to 20mm rise, and about 680mm for me. I don't like totally flat bars at all, my neck is not the most flexible thing in the world.