KIDS HANDLEBARS
ProTaper J-Unit Handlebar
The ProTaper J-Unit Handlebar/Grips combo is a unique bar and grip setup that started with the ideal grip diameter and worked inward. The result is a handlebar and grip that's ideal for a smaller ergonomic profile. These are hands down the best MTB bars/grips for the small kiddos. The grips feature a built-in bar plug that will never fall out. The combo will work with all existing shifters and brakes, only 245g. Compatible with 23 or 28mm JUNIT grips.
MSRP: $67.99 | Where to buy: REI
SDG Slater Handlebar
Great little 650mm width bar with 31.8m clamp and 20mm rise. The ends go down to 19 mm so you use provided shims for control levers. Make sure to get 19 diameter grips like the SDG juniors. The bars come in at 260 grams and are available in a junior pro kit that includes child seat, grips, bar and pedals.
MSRP: $49.99 | Where to buy: Amazon
UPANBIKE MTB Bars
We use these bars all the time to dial in fit. A 50mm rise gets the bar height up on a budget. Great weight at 270 grams for 700mm (27.5 inch) length. Regular 22.2 grip diameter with 9 degree sweep back. You can usually find these in 30mm rise as well.
MSRP: $22.99 | Where to buy: Amazon
Nukeproof Urchin Youth Alloy Handlebars
Youth targeted bars from Nukeproof, these are made of alloy and come in at 260 grams. 70o mm wide with markings to cut down to 640, they have 9 degree back and 5 degree up sweep and 25 mm rise. 31.8 clamp and fit standard 22.2 mm grips. Colours Available: grey, blue, red or purple.
MSRP: $56.99 | Where to buy: Chain Reaction
Chromag Vanguard Handlebars
We have used these great little handlebars on ages 4-10. Normal grip diameter but they are light weight and great rise and sweep for little MTB kids. 7000 series alloy and measuring at 680mm (27”) wide, it features a 5º / 7º degree up / back sweep combination. 140 lb rider max. Cut to 650mm, ours weigh 270 grams. *Note- the new 720mm Vanguards on Chromags site are too wide of a rise for little kids (10 and under). You can't get the brakes inboard enough. These original ones are way better.
MSRP: $63 USD | Where to buy: Spawn Cycles
There’s a case for buying RXL SL carbon bars from Amazon warehouse for $15 and cutting them down. They like 160gr before you cut them down.
As far as risk, If they can survive a dad-test at full length, they’ll survive a lighter kids test at the cut down length. Making a carbon bar is way easier than making a frame/fork/wheel because you can mechanically wind it, making the manufacture much higher quality.
As far as the reward – you’re taking about 150gr off the top of the bike. Any weight you can remove from a kids bike is going to make it MUCH easier for them to deal with. At the top of the bike just makes it easier to lift.
We run Amazon carbon bars on our kids MTB’s for the reasons you outline. Like you, we are comfortable but the amount of flack we would get for listing isn’t worth it. LOL. We invest in good bars as soon as they start jumping and dropping aggressively,
So the SDG Slater Jr Grips are 25-26mm diameter. The ProTaper Youth Grips come in an intermediate 28mm. Is there any guidance on grips size to hand size? Grom is 9.5yo, 4′-6″ / 66lbs. Just picked up a YT Jeffsy Primus 26 and it comes with an adult grip on it.
For 9/10 and up age range we will often use adult bar with thin grips. something like the https://www.loamlab.bike/products/grips?variant=41391259418790
any lightweight MTB-rated stems you recommend as an upgrade ?
We are probably the wrong guys to ask about”rated” stuff. We feel most stuff is over built for kids and tend to use our judgment on parts. We typically use cheap, light, cold forged stems off ali express for kids mountain bikes until they start sending jumps and drops.
I can’t find the chromag vanguard bars on the chromag website. Do you know if they have been discontinued? Looking for other riser bar options for my daughters 20″ Yama Jama. Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks!
looks like spawn has them over on their site. https://spawncycles.com/chromag-vanguard-handlebars
THANK YOU!
Hello wondering on your opinion on bar width for kids. I had a set of 35mm clamp bars lying around but the shortest I could go and keep brakes and shifters playing nice is 620mm.
I have them on my daughters frog 55 for now.
Debating if worth whole finding narrower bars to fit her original 25.4 stem or something like the upanbike but would need new stem as well.
Take height of kiddo in mm and multiply by 0.425…that’s your bar width give or take a few mm for MTB kids. Flatter bars with less rise usually allow you to get more room for desired brake and shifter position. We have a ton of old used bars at different lengths we use for the kids and we usually just use what looks comfortable… we pass them down when kids outgrow…