How To Change Your Handlebars
Changing your handlebars isn’t a common job, but, it’s a simple, good-to-know, maintenance task that you can definitely do at home.
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Changing your road bike handlebars isn’t something that you’ll be doing that often, but it’s a super-simple job that you can do at home. Changing your bars is also a great opportunity to check your handlebars and stem out for damage.
All you’ll need is a set of allen keys, a tape measure and some electrical tape. If you have one, use a torque wrench.
Once you’ve changed your handlebars, there are a few more things that you’ll need to do to finish the job. These videos should help:
How To Use A Torque Wrench + Tighten Bolts Safely: http://gcn.eu/1M5wSiZ
How (and where) to use fibre grip and grease: http://gcn.eu/1vzXBiM
How to change handlebar tape like a pro mechanic: http://gcn.eu/1zoiV5C
How to change bar tape like a boss/Dan Lloyd: http://gcn.eu/1M5xq8g
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Does GCN have a video regarding replacing shifters? Going from Sora to 105 for example, what to do and what to avoid when changing the shifters? Thanks
It looks like it’s time to replace the stem, handlebars and the tape! I’m just saying. I’m sure you guys know what you’re doing.
When you say "fiber grip," do you mean "carbon paste"?
I just bought a new handlebar but the brake "triggers" on my bike are default cheap ones like on casual bikes. Anyone got tips on how I should tape my handlebar with these brakes?
GCN is the most awesome bike channel here. Thank you for all your advice and techniques. More power! m/
If you have a handlebar with integrativ cables, did you have to remove the cables completely?
His voice is annoying…
Great video GCN! I’ve got video here on swapping out MTB handlebars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=358r0-RaWFs&t=72s
Can you make a video where you take the cables of the gribs. Because I want to chance to a handlebar with integrated cables????
Guys,
Is it okay to conceal the brake and gear cables under the bar tape if your cables aren’t routed internally?
Often seen on low end models.
As an aviation tech, as well as a calibrator, if you are torque loading any nuts, bolts, or screws. The amount you tighten the fixing to is given with a dry thread, and we should never be used. I know that it is easier Cantron do it but you stand a chance of over or under torquing the item…. Just saying, but as per usual, the rest is amazing advice thank you for the video
What’s that thing that the handlebar is connected to?
What phone mount is in that bike?
Hi,
Is it possible to change my commuter bike handlebars into road bike handlebars? The positioning of my commuter bike kind of hurts my back after a while, and I don’t have the money to invest into a whole new bike.
Thanks!!!
Soooo I accidentally stripped the threads on my stem that attached the handle bars… Is it safe for me to rethread the stem or should I buy a new one?
how do you remove the bar tape without removing the shifters?
can you change handlebars without changing the brakes?
@Global Cycling Network is it possible to use an mtb style shifter on a drop bar? I currently have a cheap shimano tourney tx shifter and I don’t have an extra budget for a new shifter.
Hi – greetings from Denmark! Great videos – I watch them almost everyday 🙂 Could you possibly make a video on how to choose the right handlebars? I mean comfort vs. light weight ect.? Also – How does one go about finding the right size of handlebars – how to meassure? I personally are considering a more ergonomic handlebar because i’m struggleling with numb/buzzing fingers.
Cheers!
Love these DIY videos 🙂 thanks guys!
Is it necessary to also change cables for longer ones if you install a wider handlebar?
He like his "flapping around"
You have the voice of an airline pilot
Someone tightened the screws too much before sending my bike halfway done. Ugh, whoever it is I hope they suffer.
How width must be the handlebars in relation to the shoulder width ?
Having dirty bartapes should be illegal! How can someone not be grossed out by them? How can you let the bartape get even that dirty?
Thank’s Dude This Help Me A Lot
I have an old bike with similar bars to the ones in the video. my low back feels strained after 20 minutes or more when riding. could I put regular bars on that sit higher so I’m not hunched over?
Could you please give us some advice regarding the size of the handlebars? Personally I ride an old Mercier "Special Tour de France" back from the time I was young, (1974), which has a narrow handlebar and a Specialized Allez Elite with a rather wider one.
Although theoretically the wider would be easier to control, I prefer the sharpness and the precision the the narrow one demands.
So regarding that the two have some 40+ years apart, some advice from the experts would be greatly helpful and appreciated.
Thank you.
Ar bhai cycle k stering m goli gress kiya karu faujansxsu wsuqh tsts uwjas ssw hswb ezxue samjho m bhi koni samjho
Well, as for the tip on not tightening your levers too much in case of a crash I found out on monday how true that is. Got a new bike 2 weeks ago and had a crash on monday (not my fault, just sayin 😛 ) where the bike landed on the lever. First I was afraid the bar was bend out of shape but later when I took a good look I noticed how it was just the lever that was out of position. Thank god for the levers not being too tight.
So yeah, that’s a golden tip right there
can you please do a video "how to change your bar with internal cable routing" especially aero bars like ENVE SES road bar? also is that true you need to change new cables (all of them) if you are changing bar with internal cable routing? thank you
What happens if you want to change your bars to flat bars?
i have bike with almost flat mtb one can I put wide bars on it you know that ultimate mtb ??can I put any size on my bike or what?
I assume this gets a lot more complicated if you choose to change to internal cable routed handle bars like 3T’s Aeronovas ?
When you speak of "grip tape" in the clamp when installing carbon fibre bars , do you mean regular bar tape, or is it something different again?
If I want to change my handle bar from straight bar to drop bar, would it be cheaper buying a new bike over changing the whole system in front
Make a video showing specifically how to swap your flatbar setup to a dropbar setup.
DO NOT USE A KNIFE ON YOUR TAPE TO REMOVE IT !! GOOD LORD MAN, ARE YOU MAD ?
ha ha.. just teasing you.
i recommend upon initial taping that you do what we do in my business ( A/V )
just before you seal the last wrap on the PVC or Electric tape… fold it back into itself leaving a tiny tab you can pull off with a finger, removing any and all possibility of cutting into the bar itself , scoring it , or cutting a cable housing.
never bring a knife to a bike fight!!
#torqueback, Dear @GCN, can you post a video about handlebar shapes and your preferences? Thanks!
Can I ask about under tape routing on narrow bars (40cm) it appears to badly affect the shifting performance on 105 5800 shifters.
I thought the thumbnail was Dennis Reynolds teaching us how to install handlebars
Does anyone know what the model of the bike is called, atleast the frame?
GCN, could you guys make a video about using classic round dropbars vs compact dropbars or ergo/anatomics or Randonneur bars or drop-in bars etc, etc.. pros and cons something like that.. would really appreciate if you make one..
How to know where to place the gear shifters if You do not replace like-for-like?
good job guys
Could you do a video about changing your bike? Thanks
Can you make a video where you take the cables of the gribs. Because I want to chance to a handlebar with integrated cables????
Never grease the bolt threads. Clean the threads but greasing will alter the torque requirement and artificially require more torque, which may stretch the threads in the stem.