Handlebars, Bar Ends & Seatpost Questions

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For handlebars, when do you use straight bars and those that have bends?

Straight bars are generally used by XC racers since they give a lower body position and weigh a little less. Riser bars sit you more upright and are wider.

Quoted post said:

Are bar ends the MTB equivalent of aerobars or are they there for something else?

Bar-ends sit on the outside of your bars to give you an alternative hand position which is especially useful when climbing or standing out of the saddle.

Quoted post said:

Can either straight or bent handlebars take bar ends?

Either is fine. Some bars, especially carbon ones, require little supporting plugs at the end of the bars so that the bar-end clamps don't crush the bars.

Quoted post said:

How about aerobars like those on tri-bikes? What is the equivalent for XC mountain biking?

No equivalent - on a mountain bike you want to be hanging onto those grips, else you're gonna fall off!

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For seatposts, what application is appropriate for straight posts and those that have bends?

Depends entirely on your frame geometry and body geometry. Posts with a bend work for most applications.

Thanks for the answers!

...on straight/bent seat post:

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by MidBunchLurker
Depends entirely on your frame geometry and body geometry. Posts with a bend work for most applications.

I use a Giant NRS3 for XC. Is straight or bent more appropriate?

Dunno what you've got right now, but if you feel that you need to sit more forward with more weight over the front wheel then a straight post will work. If you want to get your weight back a bit then go with the bent one...

The stock post should be fine if the frame is the right size for you.