The best MTB handlebars put your hands where you can steer accurately, stay relaxed and balance your weight between the wheels. Width, rise and sweep matter more than chasing carbon or the lowest weight: even an expensive bar is a poor upgrade if its shape does not fit you.
The Renthal FatBar 35 V3 is our overall choice for trail and eMTB riding. Below it, nine alternatives appear in ascending order of the checked selling price, covering ten different brands and a useful spread of shapes. These are researched recommendations based on specifications, fit and UK availability, not a claim that we have ridden every bar back to back.
Best MTB handlebars: the shortlist
Best overall: Renthal FatBar 35 V3 — £84.95
BBB SkyBar 31.8 — £29.99 (RRP £39.99)
Race Face Next R 20mm — £47.99 (RRP £145.99)
TAG T1 Carbon — £52.99 (RRP £139.99)
Gusset S2 35 — £59.99
PNW Range Gen 4 — £71.25 (RRP £75)
Burgtec RideWide Alloy Enduro — £76.49 (RRP £84.99)
DMR ODUB — £80
OneUp V2 Carbon Handlebar — £134.99 (RRP £149.99)
Deity Skywire Carbon — £139.49 (RRP £154.99)
Prices and selected options were checked on 20 September 2026. A low headline price may apply to only one rise or colour; each card identifies the option behind its price. Check the final size, stock and delivery estimate before paying.
Treat the handlebar as part of a cockpit: stem length, spacer height, brake-lever position and grips all affect the same contact point. Our MTB grips guide and brake-lever setup advice help you tune that position.
Best MTB handlebars
Renthal FatBar 35 V3
Best overall for trail and eMTB riding
£84.95
The FatBar earns our overall recommendation through its straightforward aluminium construction, sensible sweep and range of rises. It suits riders building a dependable trail or enduro cockpit who would rather spend their remaining budget on getting the contact points right than saving a few grams.
Our priced 30mm-rise option offers a useful middle ground, although your current hand position should determine the choice. Tredz lists it as available from its supplier, with an estimated six to eight working days for dispatch.
Pros
- Practical all-round shape
- Several rises in the wider range
Cons
- Requires a 35mm stem
- Selected option has a supplier lead time
Specifications
- 7-series aluminium
- 800mm width; selected rise 30mm
- 35mm clamp; 7° backsweep; 5° upsweep
BBB SkyBar 31.8
Best budget option for a 31.8mm stem
£29.99 (RRP £39.99)
The SkyBar makes sense when the existing stem is 31.8mm and a modestly raised, narrower cockpit is the goal. Its 760mm width can be useful on everyday trail bikes, without buying an 800mm bar simply to remove a large section of it.
This is a heavier, economical aluminium choice rather than a weight-saving upgrade. The selected bar is supplier stock with an estimated five to six working days for dispatch; confirm that its intended use and dimensions suit your bike before ordering.
Pros
- Lowest price here
- Fits an existing 31.8mm stem
Cons
- 760mm cannot be made wider
- Heavier than the carbon choices
Specifications
- Double-butted 6061-T6 aluminium
- 760mm width; 35mm rise; 31.8mm clamp
- 9° backsweep; 6° upsweep; listed 395g
Race Face Next R 20mm
Best discounted carbon option
£47.99 (RRP £145.99)
The Next R puts a carbon trail/enduro bar within reach of an aluminium budget at the checked sale price. Its relatively low rise suits riders who already like their front-end height and want to retain a familiar position.
The £47.99 offer is specifically the in-stock green-graphics option. Choose it because the dimensions work, rather than accepting the wrong rise for a discount; the same care with clamp condition and torque applies as it would to a full-price carbon bar.
Pros
- Low checked price for carbon
- Trail/enduro-focused design
Cons
- Sale price is colour-specific
- 20mm rise will not suit every front end
Specifications
- Unidirectional carbon
- 800mm width; 20mm rise; 35mm clamp
- 8° backsweep; 5° upsweep; listed 215g
TAG T1 Carbon
Best low-rise carbon value
£52.99 (RRP £139.99)
The T1 is another appealing sale buy, but its low 10mm rise is the important detail. It is a better match for a rider keeping their hands low than someone trying to raise the front of a long-travel eMTB.
TAG includes alignment markings for controls and the stem, which make it easier to record and reproduce a setup. The checked 10mm option was in stock at £52.99; the 20mm version cost £139.99, so do not assume the headline discount covers the range.
Pros
- Useful setup markings
- Affordable carbon in the selected rise
Cons
- Discount limited to the checked option
- Low rise offers little extra hand height
Specifications
- Carbon construction
- 800mm width; 10mm rise; 35mm clamp
- 7° backsweep; 5° upsweep; listed 228g
Gusset S2 35
Best affordable raised aluminium bar
£59.99
The S2 is a sensible route to a higher hand position without moving to carbon. The checked 38mm-rise version sits between conventional 30mm bars and more pronounced 50mm options, giving another useful fit choice.
Its 800mm starting width leaves room to tune the cockpit after riding it. Black in 38mm rise was in stock; the neighbouring 30mm option was unavailable, making the selected rise worth checking carefully at checkout.
Pros
- Useful intermediate rise
- Competitive aluminium price
Cons
- Needs a 35mm stem
- Not every listed rise is available
Specifications
- 7075 aluminium
- 800mm width; 38mm rise; 35mm clamp
- 8° backsweep; 5° upsweep
PNW Range Gen 4
Best for a higher, more swept-back position
£71.25 (RRP £75)
PNW combines a pronounced 50mm rise with 10° backsweep in this available version. That creates a different hand position from the flatter, straighter choices here and may suit riders seeking more upright wrists and a taller front end.
Neither dimension guarantees better comfort: stem length and bar rotation still matter. Select the 50mm option on the retailer page, whose heading mentions 38mm; the 50mm bar was in stock, while its 25mm and 38mm options were unavailable.
Pros
- Distinct higher-rise fit option
- More backsweep than most of this shortlist
Cons
- 50mm rise can reduce front-wheel loading
- Retailer heading differs from selected option
Specifications
- 2014 aluminium
- 800mm width; selected rise 50mm; 35mm clamp
- 10° backsweep; 5° upsweep
Burgtec RideWide Alloy Enduro
Best alternative with 9° backsweep
£76.49 (RRP £84.99)
The RideWide is a useful alternative to Renthal if slightly more backsweep better matches your natural wrist angle. It combines a familiar 30mm rise with a full 800mm width and an aluminium build aimed at enduro riding.
The checked black 30mm version was in stock. Treat the extra sweep as a fit difference to try rather than a guaranteed comfort upgrade, and record your current bar rotation before swapping so you can make a meaningful comparison.
Pros
- Useful sweep alternative
- Straightforward enduro aluminium choice
Cons
- Needs a 35mm stem
- Fit advantage depends on your wrists and setup
Specifications
- Aluminium
- 800mm width; 30mm rise; 35mm clamp
- 9° backsweep; 5° upsweep
DMR ODUB
Best specialist high-rise option
£80
The ODUB is the specialist choice for riders who know they need a substantially taller hand position. The in-stock 65mm-rise version makes a much larger change than the 20–38mm bars that form the centre of this shortlist.
Its dirt-jump and all-round off-road background is relevant, but does not make this rise an automatic eMTB upgrade. Check hose length through the full steering range and consider climbing balance before choosing such a large change in height.
Pros
- Distinct high-rise option
- Aluminium construction
Cons
- Too tall for many trail setups
- May expose hose or cable length limits
Specifications
- Aluminium; Olly Wilkins signature design
- Selected 800mm width; 65mm rise; 35mm clamp
- 8° backsweep; 5° upsweep
OneUp V2 Carbon Handlebar
Best premium option for a tuned-flex design
£134.99 (RRP £149.99)
OneUp uses an ovalised carbon profile to tune how the bar flexes, rather than relying on material alone as a comfort claim. It is an interesting option when the fit is already right and reducing harshness is the next priority, although we have not measured its comfort advantage in a comparison test.
The black 35mm-rise version was in stock at the checked price. Its stated e-bike and downhill suitability is useful, but the stem still needs to meet OneUp’s compatibility instructions, including the maximum 80mm clamp width.
Pros
- Purposeful flex-focused design
- Manufacturer lists e-bike and downhill suitability
Cons
- Costs substantially more than the sale options
- Stem clamp width requires checking
Specifications
- Carbon with ovalised profile
- 800mm width; 35mm rise; 35mm clamp
- 8° backsweep; 5° upsweep; listed 235g
Deity Skywire Carbon
Best premium carbon option with 9° backsweep
£139.49 (RRP £154.99)
The Skywire combines carbon construction with 9° backsweep and a moderate 25mm rise. It gives riders who prefer that wrist angle a premium alternative without requiring the taller position of the PNW.
The checked black version was listed in stock with estimated dispatch on 25 September. Its value depends on the shape working for you: weight and material alone are weak reasons to replace an already comfortable handlebar.
Pros
- Moderate rise with 9° backsweep
- Listed weight of 226g
Cons
- Premium price
- Check the stated dispatch date
Specifications
- Unidirectional carbon
- 800mm width; 25mm rise; 35mm clamp
- 9° backsweep; 5° upsweep; listed 226g
How to choose an MTB handlebar
Start by recording the width, rise, sweep, stem length and spacer arrangement you currently use, then identify what you want to change. Feeling cramped, struggling to weight the front tyre and getting tired hands are different problems; a new material will not necessarily address any of them. Change one variable at a time and compare the result on a familiar route.
Width, rise and sweep
An 800mm bar gives plenty of leverage and room to trim, but it is not a universal target. Your build, shoulder position, terrain and frame fit should decide the finished width. A bar that spreads your arms too far can make it harder to bend your elbows naturally, while narrow trail gaps may favour a more compact setup.
Rise is the vertical lift built into the bar; backsweep brings the grips towards you, while upsweep angles them upwards. More rise can reduce hand loading and suit steep descents, but too much may make the front tyre harder to weight on climbs and flat turns. Bar rotation changes how those dimensions meet your hands, so start from the maker’s alignment guidance and adjust in small steps.
Aluminium, carbon and comfort
Good aluminium bars can offer excellent value and a wide choice of shapes. Carbon lets designers tune weight and flex, but it is not automatically more comfortable: profile, wall construction, width and the rest of the bike all contribute. Grip shape, tyre pressure and suspension setup are also worth checking before spending heavily to address hand fatigue.
For trail, enduro or eMTB use, choose a bar whose manufacturer approves it for your intended riding and any relevant load limits. An electric motor does not dictate a particular material or clamp diameter. A lightweight cross-country component should not be assumed suitable for repeated bike-park use simply because it fits the stem.
31.8mm versus 35mm compatibility
The centre clamp diameter must match the stem: 31.8mm and 35mm are different sizes, not interchangeable choices. A larger clamp does not by itself prove that a bar is stronger or more comfortable. Check the permitted stem clamp width, control mounting areas and any restrictions on grips, accessories or bar ends as well.
Stem length and bar shape work together. Extra backsweep can bring the hands rearward, while spacers and rise alter their height; none of these is a substitute for a frame that fits. After a change, check that brake hoses, gear cables and display wires remain free through full steering movement and that the controls cannot foul the frame.
Cutting and fitting safely
Only trim a bar if its maker permits it, keeping within its marked minimum width and cutting equally from both ends. Test the fit first, retain enough straight section for the controls and grips, and use the manufacturer’s procedure and suitable tools for the material. A workshop is the sensible option if you cannot make a clean, accurate cut; carbon dust also requires appropriate protection.
Follow the exact bar and stem fitting instructions, including faceplate gaps, bolt sequence and torque limits, using a suitable torque wrench. Do not apply one brand’s torque figure to another component or keep tightening to cure slipping. For example, OneUp’s V2 instructions specify minimum trimmed widths and accessory restrictions that need checking before installation.
Inspect clamps for damage and sharp edges, fit proper bar-end plugs and check the cockpit before riding. After a significant crash, assess the handlebar according to its manufacturer’s guidance; hidden carbon damage may not be obvious from a quick glance. Replace a damaged bar rather than attempting to straighten or disguise the damage.
Frequently asked questions
Is carbon worth it on an eMTB? It can be, when a particular bar’s shape and flex suit you. Saving a small amount of weight is usually a weaker reason than improving fit, and the discounted carbon options here still require careful installation.
Will a higher bar fix sore hands? It may reduce hand pressure, but position, grips, brake setup and suspension all matter. Test a modest change first; a very high bar can compromise front-wheel grip, and persistent symptoms deserve assessment rather than repeated parts swapping.
Should I buy an 800mm bar and cut it? Only if its permitted trimming range covers your intended width. Some riders will be better served by a narrower bar from the outset, especially where control space or minimum-width limits prevent the desired cut.
Our verdict
The Renthal FatBar 35 V3 is the most balanced starting point here for a modern trail or eMTB cockpit. BBB offers an inexpensive 31.8mm alternative, while the Race Face and TAG discounts make carbon affordable in specific configurations. Choose the dimensions you need first, then compare the price of that exact option.