The rise of High-Rise handlebars.

It wasn't long ago that cross-country logic ruled the mountain bike world, with riders slamming their stems as low as possible to keep weight over the front wheel. But if you look at a modern Enduro starting gate today, you will see handlebars rising up. 35mm, 38mm, and even 50mm rise bars are becoming the new standard for aggressive riding. Is this just a trend, or are there any real benefits behind the shift?

The primary benefit of a high-rise bar is body position. Modern geometry mountain bikes have significantly longer "reach" measurements than bikes of the past. This extra length is great for stability, but it forces the rider into a stretch and bend forward to reach the grips. This low, stretched-out position puts strain on the lower back and forces the neck to crane upwards so you can see down the trail. A higher rise bar allows for a more upright, natural head position, which reduces fatigue and improves situational awareness on long rides.

High-rise bars can also be a "restomod" geometry hack for older bikes that were often designed with very low "stack" heights and shorter reach numbers than we are used to today. This often leaves the rider feeling like they are pitched forward over the front axle—a terrifying sensation on steep descents. Upgrading to a high-rise bar (35mm+) is a geometry cheat code. It shifts your center of gravity rearward and allows for a more upright, natural head position. This reduces that "over-the-bars" feeling and makes an older trail bike feel significantly more capable and confidence-inspiring in steep terrain, without the cost of a new frame.

Why Not Just Use Spacers? 

A common question is: "Why buy a new bar when I can just add spacers under my stem?"

1. Steerer Length: Your fork will be cut to a specific length and it's unlikely you will extra 35mm+ of steerer tube sitting above your stem to play with.

2. Geometry (Stack vs. Reach): Your fork sits at an angle (head tube angle). When you add spacers, you are moving the stem up and back along that angle. This shortens your reach, making the cockpit feel cramped. A high-rise handlebar adds vertical height without bringing the bars significantly closer to your knees, preserving the reach and roomy cockpit feel.

Are There Any Trade-Offs?

There is no free lunch in physics. The drawback of shifting your weight back is that you take weight off the front wheel. On very steep climbs, the front wheel may wander or lift. On flat, sweeping corners, you may find the front tire feels vague or prone to washing out. Riding high-rise bars requires a more active riding style—you must intentionally weight the front wheel in corners rather than relying on your static body position to do it for you.