PEMBREE Journal

Handlebar width is one of the cheapest, quickest ways to change how a mountain bike feels. Too narrow and the bike can feel twitchy and unstable; too wide and you can feel stretched out, slow to turn and prone to clipping trees. This MTB handlebar width guide covers how to choose the right width for you and how to cut your bars down safely if you need to.

Walk into any bike shop or browse any handlebar page and you'll see two numbers over and over: 31.8 mm and 35 mm. They refer to the diameter of the bar at the centre, where it's clamped by the stem. This guide explains the 31.8 vs 35mm handlebar clamp question: what the difference is, how it affects ride feel and which one makes sense for you.

Choosing the right flat pedal size makes a bigger difference than most riders expect. A platform that matches your shoe gives you more support, more grip and more confidence, while one that is too small or too big can feel vague or clip rocks you'd otherwise miss. This guide explains how to choose flat pedal size by shoe size, what else to think about, and how the two sizes of our D3A pedal compare.

Your stem connects the steerer tube to the handlebars, and its length has a direct effect on how your bike steers and how your weight sits over the front wheel. This MTB stem length guide explains what stem length does, how it works with rise, stack and bar width, and how to choose the right length for your riding.

A seatpost clamp is a small part with a big job: it holds your saddle height exactly where you set it, ride after ride. Get the size wrong and it either won't fit or won't hold. This seatpost clamp size guide explains what the size refers to, how to measure your frame and how to choose the right clamp.

Learn how stem length, handlebar width, rise, sweep and grip diameter work together—and follow a practical process for a comfortable, controlled cockpit.

A flat pedal’s job is more nuanced than maximum grip alone. We look at Vital MTB’s take on the D3A, from subtle foot adjustments to a spindle that stayed free of play.