[Closed] Best budget riser bars?

On One is the place to go for cheap but good bars IMO. I have some El Guapo risers and they're indistinguishable from any other anodised alu bars yet only cost a tenner or something silly.

Bars are one of the bits of bike where there’s more going on than just strength or other measurable things, slight changes to shape (and height for risers) can make all the difference between your bike being a comfortable experience for you or causing aches and pains.

At the cheaper end I’d take a look at Raceface Aeffect and Chester, or Nuke Warhead but this really is a question where what other people like isn’t necessarily going to work for you...

What are you hoping to change over the current bars?

Per Molgrips above I have a Planet X El Guapo saloon riser bar. Currently £15 plus P & P in either 31.8mm or 35mm clamp. I’d guess a Voodoo would be a 31.8mm stem clamp size but make sure you check.

I picked one of these initially as I didn’t like the shape / feel of the Raceface riser that came on my Bird (which is actually a more expensive bar) and wanted to try something with different sweep and rise. Liked it so much I’ve kept it - can’t see any point in a more expensive one. I had a bad crash and really gouged it a while back (as well as bending a crank arm) and being so cheap I had no qualms with swapping it out for a new one. If I’d had a fancier bar I’d have been loath to replace it due to cost.

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/HBEGLS/el-guapo-saloon-riser-handlebar

I have straight bars on it at the mo which can give me a bit of an ache in my shoulders over a longish ride, and I can feel like I'm too far over the front sometimes. I was going to try a little rise on the bars to see if it's any better. Another reason I don't want to spend to much as its a bit of trial and error really to see what feels best
Cheers

Got my son some of these when he needed higher rise -
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/race-face-respond-riser-bar/rp-prod106582
Superb value.

I have got some 740mm (I think) Easton Havens going spare, if you're interested in some used ones.
Can't match those El Guapos though!

Cheers for the replies guys, I've just ordered some planet x el guapo 25mm risers, bargain at 15 quid and not so much of a loss if I don't get on with them!

Had some of those Planet X bars before and they were great.

If you like the shape you can track down something nicer in the future but in all honesty with most more expensive bars you're not going to notice much difference.

I thought I’d try them then look out something more expensive if I liked the shape but couldn’t find anything the exact same shape and actually they’re reasonably light too. Not sure what benefit I’d actually get - probably nothing.

Plus they look alright - I went for black bars with the Matt black decals.

Yeh that was the plan akira, get these and see if I like them before spending 100 quid plus on some bars that aren't quite right for me. I don't mind a punt for 15 quid!
JoeBristol Yeh I'm not sure if there would be much benefit with more expensive bars, maybe less trail buzz and a bit less weight with if they were carbon. I was looking at the renthal fat bars they look really nice but couldn't justify the price difference

@tony-d please post some feedback on how you find those El Guapo bars. I've just got a Bizango and have been considering doing the same as you. It's a sweet bike though eh? My first real foray into a "proper" mountain bike, my other bike is a Pinnacle Arkose, which is great but I was after some suspension and bigger tyres for the rougher stuff

@hochmatoch they have been delivered today so I'll be fitting them tonight as soon as I get home from work! Then I'll be getting out for a blast before work tomorrow so I'll let you know how I get on! You're right though awesome bike for the money, I bought mine last year after not riding mtb properly for about 15 yrs, done a bit of commuting in between but only tow path stuff really. Love getting out on the trails now. I usually surf but you're always relying on the right tides, wind, swell etc. I can just jump on my bike out the door no matter what, it's great!

@tony-d
What's the verdict on the El Guapos then?

Nukeproof Neutrons are about 25 quid and have the same measurements as the Horizons.

1) how budget?

2) define best.

I tend to just search for a cheap set of DH bars from a well known brand in a width I want/clamp size that will fit. Usually something for £30 or so comes up.

I've also had RSP carbon bars, which are very cheap for what they are, save a bit of weight and the backup from Raleigh has been really good when I had a slight doubt about a possible imperfection (new set sent out based on my photo).

@tony-d - the bike I’ve got the bars on has 170mm travel Lyriks with the new debonair spring in them so trail buzz isn’t too much of an issue for me on there. I did run the same bars in a 31.8mm clamp (current ones are 35mm) size on a bike with 130mm travel Revelations and can’t say I noticed loads of buzz then either.

I have different bars on my hardtail (140mm Pikes on it) and I find that a lot more tiring to ride in rooty and rocky trails - but it’s probably mostly the back end making it harder.

I've had the original El Guapos and the current Rifles, for the price; I've no complaints.

Brand X ones on CRC are only £14.99

@hochmatoch I managed to get out for a blast on the weekend, I really like the bars I find them much more comfortable than the original straights. Seems like less buzz with the El Guapos too, and I didn't get any shoulder ache at all after a few hours riding the local coal tips/Forestry.
Nice and light too Glad I didn't spend 100+ on a set of renthals now, these do the job lovely and they look great on the bike too.
Pedals grips and a dropper post are next on the shopping list I think!
@joebristol yeh 100% you take more of a battering on a hardtail you're always going to be feeling some trail buzz, and I think it definitely works you harder on rocky rooty sections as your body has to soak up all the impact, good fun though!!
Hoping to get out for a longer ride this weekend but so far so good, 10/10 for the El Guapos!

Tony

@tony-d cheers for the feedback it's appreciated. Might pick up a set myself now!

pickle

Member
Brand X ones on CRC are only £14.99

Got those, perfectly good for the money just like most Brand X stuff.👍

I bought the El Guapos based on this thread as I liked the shape. Only 3 rides in and with a recovering wrist but I do like them so far. Just gotta wait until I can get on some rough stuff to really see how comfortable they are. For £19 delivered they were worth a go.

These
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/HBOOE6/on-one-enduro6-riser-handlebar

@1timmy1 definitely worth 19 quid all day! Ive only had a couple of rides out since fitting but I could feel the difference.
Hoping to get some miles in this coming weekend and see how they feel after a long ride, all good so far though!