Mountain Bike Handlebars

[Llamatron]

There seems to be two different styles of handlebars - bars that look like how a kid draws a bird and bars that are almost straight. Sorry to get technical. ;-)

Other than looks are there any real differences between the two?

I read that the bird shape bars, being higher, mean the rider puts more weight on his/her bum. But then why not just raise the handlebars?

Ta in advance.

(Sorry if this is in the wrong section but I had no idea where else to put it. Is it a sporting question or a hobby or what?)

[gary baldy]

The shorter, straighter ones are more responsive and give you more control off road. The 'wing' ones, i would say, you would only find on mountain bikes that are never going to go anywhere near a mountain.
You are right in a sense that the wing ones shift the centre of gravity back which may be more comfortable riding round the suburbs but useless off roading.