Is it possible to put a cruiser bike handle bar on a mountain bike?

Question

I currently have a Gt mountain bike but i hate the way the handle bar is too low because it makes my back arch like a hunchback. I prefer the cruiser style handle bar because it is raised higher which makes my back in a upright possition. I was wondering if it was possible to put a cruiser style handle bar on a mountain bike. Can any style handle bar fit on a mountain bike, or are specific measurements required. Also is it easy to replace a new handle bar, what is required. Thanks

Answer 1

You can certainly do this, but I think the rise might be a bit too extreme. I would start by swtiching to a mountain bike handlefar with some rise in it. A link to one is below. YOu can put this bar on in order to bring your hand position higher. I would also do a shorter stem. Neither of these should be too expensive.

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/common/products/productdisplay2_v2.cfm?PRRFNBR=35053&CGRFNBR=551&CRPCGNBR=551&CI=1,225,519,551&TextMode=0

Answer 2

I agree with the previous person. Handlebars are just handlebars, and a lot of people these days are finding that mixing and matching components helps them find their own comfort or style zone.

That said, you need to consider some things. If you want to just buy a handlebar and not have to pay for other components, you may want to find one that is exactly the same diameter as your current handlebars (or fits the handlebar clamp on your current stem, if the bike has no handlebars right now). There are many, many combinations of handlebar and stem diameters, although some are fairly popular. If you change that size (also as the previous poster said), you may end up having to replace your stem, your brake levers, and your shifters.

Last thing: Cruiser bikes (and their components) are not made to withstand the abuse of mountain biking. If you use the bike for rough riding, the cruiser bar may bend or even break. It will not be constructed with the same material strength as a MTB bar.

Other than that, I'm all for your project. Sounds very cool.

Answer 3

Maybe you could change it. I don't know, but it would depend on the handlebar itself, and it's diameter. Mountain bikes usually are 27.something, but recently there is a wider 31 wide, which is refered to as oversize. I don't know if the cruise bar would be one of the two sizes. If so, you would probably need to replace the stem also.

I don't know for what you're using your mountain bike. If you're just using it for street riding, then maybe your project is nice. But if you really want to hit the trails with that, it will be a killer on climbs, not too good.

I think you could be experiencing one of the two following scenarios:
1. You have a wrong sized bike.
2. You can be expecting to be more upright on the flats, but really climbing and descending on a very high bars is not that good.

Go to a bike shop and try different setups.

Answer 4

DO NOT LISTEN TO JOHN M Beach cruisers and comfort bikes aren't reinforced for real mountain bike trails. A headtube separation would send you to the hospital. IF YOU'RE LUCKY!!!! Yes, the original mountain bikes were Schwinns, but a 70's Schwinn and a contemporary cruiser are worlds apart.

Answer 5

Oh, you can do it. It might look silly, but it will work.
There are a few different sizes (size in length, pitch [angle of the bar], and diameter) of handlebar, so your best bet is to go to a good bike shop and let them have a look at it. The bar itself will probably cost between 10-25 dollars, but because you'll have to have the brake levers replaced, and you'll probably need new grips for your handlebars, it might run you a little bit more. You can do it on your own if you're handy, but it can be rather obnoxious to replace these things.
Good luck with it!

Answer 6

You can put a banana bike handle bar too, That would be cool