handle bar width on 2020 Levo

[jim_m5]

anybody cut their bars a bit? I measure about 31" on the std bar. Its a bit wide when twisting thru tight trails. And much wider than non-ebike mtb's (i.e. 2-3inches wider)

 

[R120]

Actually the bars on the Levo are pretty much standard size for all modern MTB's (motorised or not) these days except xc racing and dirt jumping. Most bars on new bikes will be 760-800mm, usually 780mm. Modern thinking is that wide bars have many advantages

Its perfectly fine to cut them down to preference, but I wouldn't go less than 760mm. I agree that really wide bars can be a pain on tight single track.

Unsure what bar width to run? Here’s what we run and why - MBR

 

[boneht]

I changed mine for a 780 pair, made a big difference for me, 800 felt uncomfortable.

 

[boBE]

I cut mine down to 660 but I also changed to 27.5" wheels and don't ride anything that could be considered "technical".

 

[Pyr0]

I cut the stock bars down to 780mm then bought nukeproof carbon bars and cut those down to 760mm.
They're still much wider than the bars were on my old Scott bike

 

[Waynetta]

i went from old stumpys 730mm to 780mm on the SL and thought I’d trim bars down as a few tight tree areas had me wincing. After a few week's of riding with the standard bars I’ve decided to leave them at 780. The steering feels so right and the odd tight gap I’m just being a bit more causes on.

 

[Levo-Lon]

740-760 max for me.
760 Levo, 740 Epic xc bike

 

[Pyr0]

Anyone know anything about Selcof handlebars?
740mm carbon bar for £20 anyone?
Selcof Carbon Riser Handlebar

 

[jsharpe]

I cut the stock bars down to 780mm then bought nukeproof carbon bars and cut those down to 760mm.
They're still much wider than the bars were on my old Scott bike

+1 I also switched the stock bars to nukeproof carbons cut to 760. And similarly, they are also *much* wider than my clockwork XC bike and I feel a bit like an albatross.

But before I cut them further I figure I'll give them part of a season to see if I get used to the different style. All my rides are XC trail kinds of stuff. No jumps/park etc. so I don't feel like I need the extra "leverage" of the super wide bars that seem to be the style these days. Also some of my trails have quite narrow openings between the trees. I could blast through them with the old school narrow bars but with these longer ones I'm paranoid about catching a bar and end up going way slower.

 

[kombos]

I narrowed down to 760mm. Wider was putting my arms out too far and I was getting shoulder pain. I’m about a 36-38 inch chest though.

 

[boBE]

The original 780 mm (SL) felt like I was driving a bus, but what a fun bus this is!

 

[I want my 2 Dollars!]

Like you when I replaced my old (2003) SC Blur that served me well for over almost 14 years I was confounded by the crazy wide bars. Now after a lot of miles on modern bike geo, I get it. New bike geometry's have a very different set up with a short stem and wide bars. They give A LOT more control on bigger wheels and faster descents these bikes are capable of. At 60 yrs of age I'm riding stuff that I'd never would have ridden in my old Blur. It's the bike, so much more capable and confidence inspiring!

Unless your of modest stature, I'd hold off a bit doing any cutting till you get some miles on the new bike.
You should check out some of the videos that discuss bar sizing to see if you fall far outside today's norms for bar width. They are quite informative