The Best Mountain Bike Handlebars of 2024

The OneUp Components Carbon is one of the most popular aftermarket handlebars on the market because it beautifully manages to balance the seemingly disparate characteristics of low weight, comfort, and responsive handling. It’s rare when we can’t find any fault with a product, but we feel there is literally nothing wrong with the OneUp Carbon handlebar.

OneUp has hung their hat on the patented oval design which is clearly visible in the taper/rise section of the Carbon handlebar. This ovalized section allows the handlebar to flex slightly for vertical compliance but remains stiff horizontally for precise steering control. If that sounds like marketing lingo, well, it is, but this handlebar works exactly as advertised out on the trail. The compliance takes the edge off larger impacts while the carbon construction helps to dampen the buzz of high-frequency vibrations to keep your hands feeling fresher for longer. Faction’s lab testing backs this up as well, with the OneUp Carbon (20mm rise) falling just below the average in terms of compliance.

Our editors have been riding OneUp carbon bars for several years and have always been pleased by the balanced ride quality and comfort they provide. In addition to the compliance and vibration-absorbing properties mentioned above, they have a crowd-pleasing shape with a neutral 8° back sweep and 5° upsweep. They only come in a 35mm clamp diameter, but they come in both 20mm and 35mm rise options so you can dial in the fit of your cockpit to suit most people’s needs. The 800mm width is plenty wide without being too wide, and we expect many riders will likely be trimming them down anyway, and they can be cut as narrow as 750mm if needed.

At just 228 grams (20mm rise), the OneUp carbon is competitively lightweight. There are lighter options for XC bikes, but it’s impressive for a bar made for aggressive trail, enduro, and gravity riding. It also looks pretty darn good with a matte black finish and super subtle gloss black logos, plus you can get decals ($7) in a huge range of colors to match other parts or show a touch of flair. OneUp also sells bundles at a slight discount where you can get the bar, stem, grips, and decals to replace your whole cockpit at once.

We’ve tested a lot of different bars over the years and for this review, and the OneUp Components Carbon is one that we keep going back to. We absolutely love it and at $160, it’s reasonably priced for carbon. And, if you’re not willing to spend that much, they also make an Aluminum version that we think is one of the best options if you’re operating on a tighter budget.

You can find out more in our full review of the OneUp Components Carbon Handlebar.

Full Speed Ahead (FSA) makes a surprisingly large range of products for all types of cycling including road, gravel, and mountain biking. They’ve got a full line of mountain bike handlebars in both carbon and aluminum, with the Gradient Carbon models representing the top of their line of Trail/Enduro bars.

In the Faction Bike Studio test lab, we measured the compliance of four FSA Gradient Carbon bars which represent both both rise options (20mm and 30mm) in both clamp diameters. In the lab, 3 of those were in the top ten stiffest of the 42 bars measured, and the two 35mm clamp options were in the top 5. The 31.8mm models were notably less stiff, particularly the 30mm rise version that we’re including here. In fact, it falls right around the average in terms of stiffness/compliance compared to the rest of the group. On the trail, that compliance is certainly noticeable, as is this bar’s ability to filter out vibration for a nice, damp feel, though it’s certainly not lacking in responsiveness either.

FSA gave the Gradient Carbon bars a somewhat unique appearance with the rise/taper section being ovalized, but in the opposite way of the OneUp handlebars. While it seems somewhat counterintuitive, it provides a ride feel that we got along with well, at least in the 31.8mm clamp, 30mm rise version. Again, the other sizes tested quite a bit stiffer. The 8° back sweep and 5° upsweep should suit most riders just fine, as should the 800mm width that can be trimmed to suit your preference. Our test bar weighed in at 237 grams at its full width, which is competitive with similar models.

With a raw carbon finish and loud but relatively tasteful silver logos, the Gradient Carbon are nice-looking handlebars. And at $146, they undercut the price of even the other reasonably priced carbon options on the market by just a bit. So, if you’re looking for an affordable carbon handlebar, the FSA Gradient is a good option to consider, and we were especially fond of the balanced feel of the 31.8mm clamp, 30mm rise version.

Building off the success of their popular Carbon handlebar, the OneUp Components Aluminum was launched last year with the goal of providing the same performance in a less expensive aluminum version. One of the biggest challenges was creating the same unique ovalized design in aluminum, but OneUp managed to pull it off, and in doing so, created “my favorite aluminum handlebar ever” according to Tyler’s 2023 Editor’s Choice Award list.

Just like the carbon version, the unique, patented oval shape in the taper/rise section of the bar allows for more vertical compliance while remaining horizontally stiff for steering control. The result is a bar that is more forgiving on the hands and wrists, especially on larger impacts, and that ride feel is backed up by Faction Bike Studio’s lab testing that showed the Aluminum version was even slightly more compliant than the carbon versions. It doesn’t feel quite as damp as the carbon versions, however, but it has one of the most balanced and comfortable feels of any aluminum bar we’ve ever tried.

The OneUp Aluminum handlebar comes in a 35mm clamp size, your choice of 20mm or 35mm rise, and a standard 800mm width that can be trimmed down to as narrow as 750mm if you need. The 8° back sweep and 5° upsweep hit a sweet spot that should be comfortable for most users. It’s made from 7050 – T76 Aluminum with a shot-peened finish for durability and a black anodized finish with gloss black logos. OneUp also sells decal kits ($7) in a range of colors if you like to customize or match them with other components.

If you don’t trust carbon fiber or simply want a similar performance to the OneUp Carbon handlebar at a more wallet-friendly price point, then the $90 OneUp Components Aluminum handlebar should be on your shortlist. This handlebar combines the best attributes of the carbon version with the durability and lower price of aluminum, and we think it’s the best option for under $100.

You can learn more about the OneUp Components Aluminum handlebar in our launch article.

PNW Components has been steadily growing and improving its product range which now includes two models of handlebars, one of which is the affordable Range Gen 3. Now onto its third generation, the aluminum Range handlebar has seen incremental changes over the years to make it better than ever. PNW chose 2014 Aluminum for the Range Gen 3, as they claim it “most closely resembles carbon’s chatter absorbing qualities.”

Not everyone is willing or able to spend upwards of $150 on a handlebar, and that’s where the PNW Range comes in. PNW Components is known for making reasonably priced components that work well, like their Loam dropper post, and the Range Gen 3 will still be a significant upgrade over most stock aluminum bars, assuming the 30mm rise works for you.

The Range Gen 3 comes in both 35mm and 31.8mm clamp sizes, both of which proved to be relatively compliant in our lab testing. However, the 31.8mm size proved to be much more forgiving. We spent more time test-riding the 35mm clamp size, and despite being slightly stiffer, it provides a comfortable and balanced feel, where steering feels precise and the bar takes some of the sting out of larger impacts. While these bars are quite comfortable and absorb some vibration, it isn’t quite on the level of some of the more expensive carbon competitors.

The Range comes in an 800mm width, which is quite normal, although our test bar measured about 5mm wider than that. Not a deal breaker since most people will be trimming them anyway, and on that note, PNW says they can be trimmed down to 740mm if needed. With 5° of upsweep and 10° of back sweep, the PNW Range has a bit more relaxed geometry than some other bars. The 10° back sweep in particular lends itself to more of an upright body position which is common on a lot of today’s long and slack bikes. The 30mm is the only option offered, which will likely work well for a lot of people, but may be a limiting factor for others.

Otherwise, the PNW Range Gen 3 is a good-looking handlebar that provides comfort and predictable handling in an affordable aluminum package. If you like the sound of a more relaxed 10° back sweep and the 30mm rise works for you, these bars are a great value.

You can learn more in our launch coverage of the PNW Range Gen 3.

Roost is a brand that specializes mostly in bike frames and components made from Titanium. The Roost Titanium Riser handlebar is a unique offering from the brand that aims to bring a high level of compliance to the table through the properties of the material which is known to provide a forgiving ride feel to frames while being super durable and great-looking.

In its quest to make a compliant handlebar, Roost has definitely succeeded, and all three rise options of the Titanium bars we tested were the most compliant in the Faction Bike Studio Lab. On average, the Titanium bars were approximately 30% more compliant than the bars tested made from aluminum or carbon fiber. That’s pretty significant, and that compliance definitely translates to use on the trail. In fact, you can even see a small amount of flex in the bars when you press on them in the ol’ parking lot test. On the trail, this compliance is quite noticeable, particularly when riding them back to back with stiffer bars. They soak up larger hits and impacts much more readily, and they do, in fact, provide an overall higher level of comfort.

All that compliance presented initially as a feeling of a slight reduction in handling precision, although, again, this was most noticeable when compared back to back with stiffer bars. It doesn’t take long at all to get totally used to the feel and they go unnoticed while riding, other than the increase in comfort, that is. Subsequent testing for several weeks showed that these handlebars simply feel great, and help reduce arm pump and fatigue, comparatively speaking.

While the Roost Titanium bars are lighter than most aluminum bars, at 303g (30mm rise), they are a bit heavier than most carbon options. For purposes that Roost claims are related to the construction of handlebars made from Titanium, they are only available in a 31.8mm clamp diameter. Roost offers three rise options, flat, 20mm, and 30mm, so you can choose the rise that works best for your needs. The 9° backsweep and 5° upsweep are pleasantly neutral and should work well for most riders.

The raw titanium finish and subtle matte logos of the Roost Titanium bars are undeniably classy, and Roost claims that any scratches can be cleaned up with a Scotch-Brite pad to keep them looking fresh for years. This is a good thing as Titanium is known for its impressive durability, which will make the high asking price of $295 a little easier to justify.

If low weight is a priority and you’re looking for an upgrade for your lightweight trail, down-country, or XC race bike, the Race Face Next SL is a great option to consider. Coming in at a mere 167 grams in an XC-appropriate 740mm width, this handlebar is a great way to finish off the cockpit on your custom build with a surprisingly well-balanced performance that provides both forgiveness and responsive handling.

Creating a balanced ride feel while making a handlebar as light as possible isn’t an easy task, but Race Face was up to the challenge. Surprisingly, they went with a 35mm clamp diameter, but it works well and allows them to lay up the carbon in such a way that it provides compliance vertically while remaining adequately stiff horizontally for responsive handling. While we were initially skeptical of their claims, it was quite impressive how comfortable our hands and wrists stayed while testing this bar, especially on short-travel XC bikes with stiff carbon rims.

The 740mm width of the Next SL handlebar might sound pretty narrow, and it is narrower than most bars these days, but it’s actually a really sensible width for its intended use. Most serious XC riders don’t typically use handlebars that are much wider, and often they trim them even narrower depending on their preference. Starting at 740mm, this allowed Race Face to tune the bar’s stiffness/compliance for that width, rather than something wider that then gets trimmed down. Race Face claims the Next SL can be trimmed as narrow as 690mm, and that the flex characteristics remain the same in that range. And, if you like the sound of this bar but want something slightly wider, the Next (non-SL) carbon bar comes in a 760mm width and is claimed to weigh just 13 grams more.

Of course, this handlebar isn’t meant for gravity riding, and as such, it only comes in a 10mm rise and it has a weight limit of 266 lbs. That said, we’ve been thrashing on one of these bars on an unreleased test bike for weeks, and it certainly doesn’t feel fragile. Instead, it adds a bit of calm and dampness to what is otherwise a very sharp-feeling bike. So, if you’re looking for something lightweight that avoids feeling overly harsh, the Race Face Next SL is worth a serious look.

You can learn more in our launch article for the Race Face Next SL Carbon handlebar.

If you’re among the many riders who find the back sweep of most handlebars to be less than you need, then the SQlab 30X Carbon could be the answer you’re looking for. Coming from the ergonomics experts at SQlab, the 30X handlebar is available with either 12° or 16° of back sweep which could provide better wrist alignment for those who need it. Yes, these bars are quite expensive, but SQlab also makes them in an aluminum version that costs about $200 less.

While most handlebars fall into the 8° to 9° back sweep range, that doesn’t mean it works for everyone. The folks at SQlab recognize that, so they, along with a few other brands, offer something different for those whose wrists could benefit from greater back sweep. Even for folks who get along generally fine with more standard back sweep measurements, like me, testing the 12° version of the 30X proved to be surprisingly comfortable. The first ten minutes or so felt a little different, but after that, the handlebar simply faded into the background and didn’t present any discomfort or handling issues.

SQlab only makes the 30X carbon in a 31.8mm clamp diameter, but the bar is quite stiff and responsive to handling input. It isn’t the most compliant handlebar around, but the carbon construction does a good job of muting some vibration and it doesn’t feel particularly harsh. Three rise options are offered, 15mm, 30mm, and 45mm, to suit varying needs, but it should be noted that the 45mm rise looks and feels a lot more like a 30mm rise from other brands.

Other than the more pronounced back sweep, the SQlab 30X Carbon looks just like any other handlebar with a matte carbon finish and subtle black logos. At $320, however, it’s pretty hard to look past the high asking price. But, if you’ve struggled to get comfortable with other handlebars, this may be the answer you’ve been looking for. And, the 30X Aluminum version is a much lower-priced alternative if you’re looking to experiment.

Hope is well known for making exquisite products like hubs, brakes, cranks, frames, pedals, and more, so it’s no surprise that the Hope Carbon Handlebar is a top-notch component made with the quality and attention to detail that we’ve come to expect from the brand. It also happens to be unique looking, both in its raw carbon weave finish and the small lumps at the top of the rise/taper section, plus it’s made in the UK.

Hope makes the Carbon Handlebar in just one rise option, 20mm, but it comes in both 31.8mm and 35mm clamp sizes. This is one carbon handlebar that showed a significant amount of variability in its compliance in the Faction Bike Studio lab testing between the two clamp sizes. And while we’ve seen other reviews that claim the 35mm is more compliant, the test results say otherwise. For comparison, the 31.8mm clamp size had a below-average stiffness rating of 355 lbs/in, whereas the 35mm version measured above average at 436 lbs/in. So, depending on your preference, you could get a stiffer or more compliant version depending on the clamp size. We found that we preferred the 31.8mm clamp size as it provided more forgiveness in its ability to absorb larger impacts and vibration, quite similar to the OneUp Carbon described above.

The Hope Carbon bar comes in an 800mm width, and riders can trim them down as narrow as 760mm. Hope included guide marks for trimming the bars, as well as handy marks further inboard to facilitate the setup of your controls. It’s also impressively lightweight, tipping the scales at just 222 grams in the 31.8mm clamp size. The only minor quibble we have with this bar is that it comes with a slightly more aggressive 7° back sweep that lends itself best to more aggressive body positions. That said, that fits its intended use of aggressive trail and all-mountain riding where you’re often in the attack position.

At $215, the Hope Carbon Handlebar comes with a premium price tag, even when compared to most other carbon handlebars, but it’s undoubtedly a premium product too. If you’re a fan of Hope products, like the look of the raw carbon weave, or are simply looking for a lightweight carbon handlebar with nicely balanced vibration damping and handling precision, the Hope Carbon Handlebar won’t disappoint.

Given Nukeproof’s strong bias towards the aggressive side of the mountain biking spectrum, it doesn’t come as too much of a surprise that their Horizon V2 Carbon handlebars are some of the most stout and burly on the market. In fact, 4 Nukeproof Horizon V2 models were in the top ten stiffest of the 42 models we tested in the Faction Bike Studio test lab. So, if you prioritize precise handling and responsiveness above all else, this is one of our top recommendations.

Carbon fiber is a great material for handlebars because it can be manipulated and laid up in ways to get desired performance characteristics. While many brands are going out of their way to make their bars more compliant and forgiving, it doesn’t seem like Nukeproof is going that direction with the Horizon V2 bars. In fact, these bars are unyieldingly stiff, meaning that they respond instantly to every bit of your handling input. While the carbon construction does absorb a tiny bit of buzzy feedback, the rest is up to your arm strength and suspension setup. And, for some riders, that may be exactly what they’re looking for.

That said, if you take a look at the stiffness graph in our buying advice section, you can see there is quite a bit of variability among the Nukeproof bars we tested depending on clamp size and rise. We’ve been testing the 35mm clamp, 25mm rise version for several weeks now, and it is definitely the stiffest of the models included in this buyer’s guide. Beyond stiffness, the Horizon V2 has a crowd-pleasing shape with a natural feeling 9° back sweep and 5° upsweep, and it comes in three rise options, 12mm, 25mm, and 38mm to dial in your perfect bar height. It comes in 80mm and 780mm widths, and the 80mm version has cut lines down to 680mm (although we’d expect the flex characteristics to change at that width).

The Nukeproof Horizon V2 Carbon has a classy finish that’ll look good on just about any bike, along with common touches like stem setup lines and textured areas in the stem clamp and control zones for a little extra grip. It’s not the lightest carbon handlebar around at 258g (35mm clamp, 25mm rise), but it’s lighter than aluminum and is among the most affordable carbon bars at $150.

Chromag is known and loved for being a core brand and has a loyal following. They make everything from hardtail and full suspension frames to some of the most popular flat pedals on the market. Their parts catalog also includes a range of cockpit components including stems, grips, and several models of handlebars including the carbon fiber BZA. Most of the products they make seem geared towards hardcore all-mountain and gravity riders, and that’s true of the BZA handlebar which they claim to be “Big, burly, and badass!”

The BZA certainly fits that description, but it manages to do so without being particularly punishing to the hands. Yes, it is stiff and it feels super precise in every handling scenario, but at the same time, it does a very respectable job of dampening vibration and providing a relatively calm, muted feel. In the Faction test lab, it definitely tested a bit over the average in terms of its stiffness, but its ability to absorb vibration on the trail proved to be better than some aluminum bars that tested to be more compliant. Still, they are on the stiffer side of the spectrum and best suited to aggressive riders and riding styles, yet they definitely feel, and tested, to be more compliant than Chromag’s OSX Aluminum handlebars.

The BZA comes in the 35mm clamp size and a standard 800mm width and they weigh in at just 230g (25mm rise). Three rise options are available including 15mm, 25mm, and 35mm, so most riders should be able to find their ideal bar height. At 9° back and 5° up, the sweeps are angled such that most riders should get along with them nicely. The BZA is impeccably finished, and while the branding is a bit more prominent than some other bars, the black/grey we tested look pretty awesome, and it’s hard to deny that the Chromag bear logo looks pretty darn cool.

While the Chromag BZA is often sold at $200, we’ve seen them going for much less at various retailers online, including the Chromag site. The $200 retail price seems a bit spendy, but if you find these on sale they are a much better value. Regardless of price, this is a lightweight carbon handlebar that provides impressive control without beating up your hands. If you’re looking for something a little more forgiving, the Chromag Cutlass (very similar but with a 31.8mm clamp size) was notably more compliant in the lab testing.

The carbon fiber experts at ENVE are perhaps best known for producing some of the most lust-worthy wheels on the market for some time, but they also make a growing range of other parts including bike frames, stems, and handlebars for both road and mountain bikes. The ENVE M7 is one of four mountain bike handlebars in their lineup, fitting in between the trail-oriented M6 and the DH-specific M9. While it’s technically a gravity-oriented bar aimed at enduro racers and DH riders, it graces the cockpits of many aggressive trail riders’ bikes as well.

This is a burly handlebar made for the most aggressive riding, so it’s stiff and feels super responsive, and despite falling around the middle of the stiffness scale of the models testing (25mm rise version) in the Faction Bike Studio lab, it has a slightly more rigid ride quality than those numbers suggest. While it may flex around the average in the lab, that doesn’t necessarily translate into use on the trail as it transmits more feedback and doesn’t mute high-frequency vibration quite as well as some other carbon options, but in our most recent testing, we found that it doesn’t feel excessively harsh either. That said, heavier riders or those pushing hard on rowdy descents who demand precise handling response will be the most delighted by its performance.

The M7 is the only handlebar in the ENVE lineup that comes in a 35mm clamp diameter, and that is the only size offered. It comes in a relatively standard 800mm width and can be trimmed down to a minimum width of 760mm while preserving its flex characteristics. It is offered in three rise options, 10mm, 25mm, and 40mm, all of which share a relatively neutral 8° backsweep and 4° upsweep. As is typical of all ENVE products, it has a classy-looking finish in matte black with classic logos. Plus it comes with a decal sheet with numerous colors to match your ENVE wheels or other parts. Our test bar weighed 243g untrimmed in a 25mm rise.

At $190, the ENVE M7 is at the higher end of the price spectrum and is a premium carbon handlebar that’s made in the USA. It’s fairly lightweight, looks great, and is well suited to aggressive riders leaning toward the gravity side of the mountain bike spectrum. Those looking for a more trail-oriented model from ENVE would do well to check out the M6.

You can learn more in our tech coverage of the ENVE M-Series handlebars and stems.

ProTaper is a part of the Hayes Bicycle Group which consists of several other brands including Hayes, Manitou, Reynolds, and Sunringle. They make a range of mountain bike handlebars in both aluminum and carbon fiber, but the ProTaper A25 Aluminum stands out for its high level of compliance, nearly on par with the much more expensive Roost Titanium handlebars.

With their aluminum handlebars, ProTaper has seemingly taken a straightforward approach without any obvious trickery in terms of design. While ProTaper says they “have never stopped pushing the limits of metallurgy”, this bar is otherwise exactly what it sounds like, a simple aluminum handlebar. For many, that simplicity may be just what they’re looking for, especially those seeking a super-compliant option. In fact, the three ProTaper AL models we tested (all 31.8mm clamp size) were among the most compliant we tested in the Faction Bike Studio Lab. That said, there is a bit of variability, as they become slightly more compliant as the rise increases among the three options offered, 12mm, 25mm, and 50mm.

ProTaper makes their AL bars in both the 31.8mm and 35mm clamp sizes, although we only tested the 31.8. They come in a generous 810mm width and have trim lines down to 720mm as well as markings on the stem clamp area and by the controls to facilitate setup. The 8° back sweep and 4° upsweep are relatively neutral and comfortable, and the option of 12mm, 25mm, and 50mm rise should make it so most people can find a rise to suit their needs. They come in raw silver, black, half silver/half black, and a limited edition throwback gold (25mm rise only).

With a weight of 317 grams (31.8mm clamp, 25mm rise), the ProTaper A25 is competitive with most other aluminum bars, plus it’ll be a bit lighter if you trim it down from its full 810mm width. What stands out most about this handlebar, however, is its high level of compliance that takes the edge of big hits and gives it a ride feel similar to the Roost Titanium bars at just a fraction of the cost. But, at $105, it is a bit more expensive than the other aluminum options we have listed here.