Mountain Bike Peripheral Components

Width and rise of the handlebars, stem length

The handlebar of a mountain bike has widened with modern geometries: the Chromag Fubars OSX reaches eight hundred millimetres and ProTaper offers a version of eight hundred and ten, providing a leverage that stabilises the steering in rocky areas. The rise, the height that the handlebar raises from its clamp, straightens the torso and lightens the front on steep slopes. Narrower versions, around six hundred and eighty millimetres, are suitable for young riders and dirt biking, where the bike is handled in the air. A stem of thirty-five to fifty millimetres makes the steering responsive and places the hands above the front wheel.

Flat pedals: platform, pins and grip

A good flat pedal is recognised by its wide and thin platform, which lowers the foot as close as possible to the axle for improved stability. The Deity Flat Trak, machined from aluminium, is only fourteen millimetres thick and features fourteen pins per side on a slightly concave surface that grips the sole. The Shimano PD-GR400, made from composite, offers solid grip for trail and enduro, while the Explorer PD-EF202, made from resin with reflectors, targets casual rides and leisure mountain biking, with city shoes on. The screwed pins can be replaced when they wear out or get damaged against a rock.

Measuring your power with SPD pedals

The pedals Favero Assioma PRO MX convert a pair of automatic pedals to the SPD standard into a power sensor for mountain biking and gravel. The single-sensor version measures the force on the left pedal and deduces the total power, while the dual version, equipped on both sides, distinguishes the contribution of each leg and reveals any imbalance. The data transmits in ANT+ and Bluetooth to the computer or training app, with an accuracy claimed to be within one percent, and the rechargeable battery lasts over fifty hours. Installed like regular pedals, without any specific tool, they can be switched from one bike to another in just a few minutes.

The selection

The components are organised by piece:

• Handlebars.
• Stems.
• Grips and Bar Ends.
• Forks.
• Headsets and Cups.
• Saddles.
• Seat Posts.
• Pedals.

The mountain bike is completed with bikes, transmission, brakes, wheels and tyres, gear, on the mountain bike page.

Saddles, pivotal posts and headsets

The pivotal system, coming from BMX, fixes the saddle with a single vertical bolt that goes through the shell: no more seat rail, giving a lower and more compact setup that doesn’t move upon landing. The Deity Frisco saddle and the Answer Pivotal post work together and are favoured in dirt, slopestyle and street. The Chromag Overture saddle, in a Brandon Semenuk edition, a Canadian freeride figure, keeps classic rails and a slim profile that allows the bike to move under the rider. The headset V Bike, made of chrome-plated steel, replaces worn bearings when the steering becomes sticky or has play when braking.

Frequently asked questions

What clamp diameter should I choose for a mountain bike handlebar?

The handlebar and stem must share the same diameter: 31.8 millimetres, the most common, or 35 millimetres, stiffer and common in enduro and downhill. You should never mix the two, as the clamp wouldn’t hold securely.

How do I install a young child at the front of a mountain bike?

The Shotgun kit combines a seat mounted on the top tube, between the rider and the handlebars, and a small handlebar fixed onto that of the adult. The child rides sitting in front, protected by the parent's arms, and discovers easy trails while seeing the path ahead.

Should I cut down a handlebar that is too wide?

Before cutting, ride a few times by moving the controls and grips inwards to test the width. Then cut symmetrically with a fine saw, following the engraved markers, as a handlebar that is too short cannot be lengthened.

Automatic or flat pedals for starting mountain biking?

Flat pedals provide reassurance at the beginning, as you can place your foot on the ground instantly and learn to ride without relying on the clip. Automatic pedals bring efficiency in cross-country once the right reflexes are acquired.

When should I change the grips on my mountain bike?

Change them when the rubber becomes smooth, cracks or spins on the handlebar, as grip deteriorates in the rain and downhill. Collared grips can be removed with an Allen key, without a knife or product.