from Rookie’s keyboard
Hello, friends
I hope your afternoon is going just fine. Mine is ok apart from a few family issues.
Anyway, it’s time for some BMX Bike Theory (BBT).
Today, the lesson is about the two most common types of BMX handlebars – 2-piece and 4-piece.
The 2-piece models consist of two distinct parts. The main one is a metal tube with a long span and a U-shape in the middle.
The other part is known as a “crossbar” and represents a tube welded to the main body of the bars for extra support.
4-piece bars have 4 distinctive parts welded to each other. Unlike 2-piece models, they do not have lower curves. The arms of the bars are connected via two crossbars – one at the top and one at the bottom.
I prefer 2-piece bars (2PBs) for the following reasons:
Flexibility
2PBs have some flex to them because the main element is a single tube.
Flexible bars are a touch more forgiving during landings.
Not everyone considers this characteristic an advantage, though. Some riders prefer to have their bars as stiff as possible.
Bending Before Breaking
2PBs have fewer welding points. As a result, they’re more likely to bend during a fall than to crack or completely snap.
A Cleaner Look
2PBs have a minimal amount of welds – a property giving them a clean and simplistic silhouette.
Of course, 4PBs have their strong points too, namely:
Stiffness
4PBs are stiffer because they don’t have a bottom curvature. Instead, there’s a small crossbar connecting the two arms.
Simpler to Manufacture
4PBs are a bit simpler to produce because they have fewer curves. The architecture streamlines the process and reduces the need for extra bending and special heat treatment.
Knee Clearance
The lower curvatures of 2-piece bars do not tolerate extreme angles.
If the minimum radius is disrespected, the integrity of the bars will be compromised. For that reason, 2-piece bars are a bit wider near the stem.
In different, 4 piece handlebars offer a bit more knee clearance because the two arms can be welded to the crossbars from more extreme angles.
In consequence, 4PBs don’t have to protrude outward as much as 2PBs.
Old school 4-piece BMX handlebars offer a lot more knee clearance than the current ones. One example would be the iconic Redline Forklifter Bars.
At the time, the low bar was a lot shorter, and the arms were inserting from a less vertical angle. For that reason, people refer to old school 4-piece bars as “knee savers”.
Back then, the freestyle crowd greatly appreciated 4PBs because the extra knee clearance facilitates the performance of certain tricks.
In current times, however, the knee clearance of 2PBs and 4PBs is so close that people rarely talk about this topic.
Old School Look
4PBs have old school charisma appreciated by many riders.
An Opportunity For Custom Tubing
4PBs have a separate tube at the bottom (a low bar). This peculiarity makes it possible to mix tubes of different sizes.
For example, producers can combine 22.2mm side tubes with a 25.4mm or 31.6mm low tube. Thus, 4 piece bars create the opportunity for custom tubing and different clamp diameters.
The same cannot be achieved with 2 piece bars because they use a single main tube.
That said, it’s questionable whether the industry needs the extra variation. Most 4PBs continue to have a 22.2mm or 25.4mm diameter near the clamp area.
What About Strength?
Some people say that 4PBs are tougher because the arms can connect to the low bar from a more vertical angle.
In practice, however, it’s difficult to determine whether 4PBs are truly stronger because modern 2PBs have benefitted from the advancement in heat treatment technology.
Also, 2PBs tend to be multi-butted (there’s extra material at the most vulnerable places). As a result, they’re very strong and competitively light.
4 and 2 piece models have the same weak spot – the upper curves near the grip area.
Ultimately, it’s difficult to say which version is stronger. As long as the quality of the product is good, it should hold up just fine.
The Strongest BMX Bars?
There are many super-strong BMX bars out there, but Hoffman Lovehandles enjoy the most glory.
Those are 6 or 8 piece bars (if you count the reinforcement tubing as separate parts) that are practically unbreakable from riding.
Weight Comparison
The table below compares the weight of 2PBs and 4PBs:
| 2 Piece | Material | Weight | 4 Piece | Material | Weight |
| BSD Safari Oversized | Chromoly | 771g | Salt Pro | Chromoly | 903g |
| Odyssey Lumberjack XXL | Chromoly | 789g | BSD Grime | Chromoly | 754g |
| United Supreme | Chromoly | 907g | Mission Crosshair | Chromoly | 1108g |
| Fiend Reynolds | Chromoly | 774g | Animal 4AM | Chromoly | 776g |
| Fiend Team | Chromoly | 793g | Saltplus HQ | Chromoly | 894g |
| Jet BMX Chromo | Chromoly | 988g | Odyssey 49ER | Chromoly | 992g |
| Mutiny Comb | Chromoly | 848g | Fly Fuego 6 | Chromoly | 727g |
| Mission Command | Chromoly | 975g | United Supreme | Chromoly | 993g |
| BSD Raider | Chromoly | 776g | Volume X FTL | Chromoly | 949g |
| Animal Empire State | Chromoly | 887g | Federal Drop V2 | Chromoly | 816g |
| Average weight: | 850.8g | Average weight: | 891.2g |
The average weight of 2PBs is ever so slightly lower than that of 4PBs.
The results aren’t surprising because both versions require a similar amount of material.
Upsweep Comparison
The ends of most BMX and MTB bars rotate upward. The degree of rotation is known as upsweep.
The upsweep has two objectives:
- Reduce wrist strain
- Put more weight on the outer palms and free the long fingers to control the levers and shifters (on MTBs).
The degree of upsweep is a personal preference. Some riders like flatter bars while others prefer a pronounced upsweep. The standard is about 2-4 degrees.
The next table compares the upsweep of 2PBs nd 4PBs:
| 2 Piece | Upsweep | 4 Piece | Upsweep |
| BSD Safari Oversized | 3° | Salt Pro | 3° |
| Odyssey Lumberjack XXL | 2° | BSD Grime | 2° |
| United Supreme | 1° | Mission Crosshair | 1° |
| Fiend Reynolds | 1° | Animal 4AM | 5° |
| Fiend Team | 1° | Saltplus HQ | 3° |
| Jet BMX Chromo | 2° | Odyssey 49ER | 1.5° |
| Mutiny Comb | 3° | Fly Fuego 6 | 3° |
| Mission Command | 1° | United Supreme | 3.5° |
| BSD Raider | 2° | Volume X FTL | 1° |
| Animal Empire State | 1° | Federal Drop V2 | 3° |
| Average degree: | 1.7° | Average degree: | 2.6% |
Conclusion: 2PBs and 4PBs handlebars have a similar degree of upsweep. Some 4-piece models offer a couple of extra degrees – a wrist-friendly characteristic according to some riders.
Backsweep Comparison
Backsweep: The rotation of the bars towards the rider
The backsweep is meant to reduce wrist stress by placing the joints in a more natural position.
To understand the principle, you can do the following experiment. Grab a thin item such as a pencil or a pen and put your hands forward as if they’re on a bike’s handlebars.
Squeeze the pen. You will see how the angle of the pen changes. The part of the pen near the outer palm gets closer to you whereas the end next to your thumb goes away from you.
Bars come with some degree of backsweep as a way to reflect those mechanics. The result is less stress on the wrist.
| 2 Piece | Backsweep | 4 Piece | Backsweep |
| BSD Safari Oversized | 13° | Salt Pro | 11.5° |
| Odyssey Lumberjack XXL | 11° | BSD Grime | 11° |
| United Supreme | 12° | Mission Crosshair | 12° |
| Fiend Reynolds | 12° | Animal 4AM | 11° |
| Fiend Team | 12° | Saltplus HQ | 11.5° |
| Jet BMX Chromo | 10° | Odyssey 49ER | 12° |
| Mutiny Comb | 13° | Fly Fuego 6 | 10° |
| Mission Command | 12° | United Supreme | 11° |
| BSD Raider | 11° | Volume X FTL | 12° |
| Animal Empire State | 12° | Federal Drop V2 | 11.5° |
| Average degree: | 11.8° | Average degree: | 11.35° |
Conclusion: 2PBs and 4PBs offer practically the same degree of backsweep.
TL: DR;
The table below summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of 2PBs and 4PBs.
2P BMX Handlebars
| Pros | Cons |
| More flex | Less knee clearance (depends on the model) |
| More likely to bend than to crack or break | Lack stiffness |
| Cleaner look | |
4P BMX Handlebars
| Pros | Cons |
| Stiff | Lack flexibility |
| Extra knee clearance (potentially) | Rugged rather than smooth look |
| Simplified production process | More likely to crack than to bend |
| A bit more upsweep (depends on the model) | |
| Old school look |
Making The Right Choice
The final choice comes down to personal preference. I prefer the appearance and the flex of 2PBs, but 4PBs can work just fine.
If you like the look of 2PBs, and you can find one in a shape that suits you, go for 2 piece.
If you like 4PBs, and the available models fit you fine, enter the 4 piece life.
If you’re a beginner and unsure what to do, choose the cheapest quality bars that you can find and just ride.
As you accumulate more experience, you can replace them with a model that better compliments your style.
Until next time,
Rookie
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