# Flattened Handlebar Bicycles The Ridiculous XC Bike Repositions the Steering for Better Collison By M | Published 2016-02-27 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flattened-handlebar References: [yankodesign](http://www.yankodesign.com/2016/02/26/ridiculously-rad-rock-hopper/) & [behance.net](https://www.behance.net/patrickngkt) The Ridiculous XC Bike truly lives up to its name with an unconventional design with completely [flattened handlebars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hypersquare) that give the bike a rather unusual look and aesthetic. While a bicycle without upright handlebars might seem bizarre to most consumers, it actually optimizes the rider's steering abilities to provide much more speed and control during a ride. This is ideal for extreme bikers that use their vehicle primarily for sporting activities such as [mountain biking or racing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/void-marauder-gravel-bike). The bicycle offers a simplistic design that features an elevated seat, two wheels and a [light frame](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rcyl-bike). The handlebars are conveniently lowered to the tip of the front tire allowing cyclists to access more control in their ride and reduce collisions between the rider's toe and wheel. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.7/10 - Popularity: 80% | Activity: 82% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Flattened Handlebar Bicycles:** The unconventional design creates an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the bicycle industry by repositioning the handlebars for better control and speed. - **Optimized Rider Steering:** The optimized steering abilities of the Ridiculous XC Bike present an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the sports industry by improving performance and safety for extreme bikers. - **Simplistic Bike Design:** The simplistic design of the Ridiculous XC Bike opens up opportunities for disruptive innovation in the automotive industry by offering a lightweight and efficient option for mountain biking and racing. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Bicycle Industry:** The flattened handlebar bicycles trend presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the bicycle industry by introducing new designs and improving control and speed. - **Sports Industry:** The optimized steering abilities of flattened handlebar bicycles can disrupt the sports industry by enhancing performance and safety for extreme bikers. - **Automotive Industry:** The simplistic design of flattened handlebar bicycles offers disruptive innovation opportunities in the automotive industry by providing a lightweight and efficient option for mountain biking and racing. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Tread-Wheel Geometric Bicycles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-q.md) - [Hyper-Efficient Mountain Bicycles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hyperefficient-mountain-bicycles.md) - [Shock-Absorbing Urban Bicycles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urban-bicycles.md) - [Realistic Riding Exercise Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/muoverti-tilt-indoor-smart-bike.md) - [Handlebar-Toting Hydrofoil Boards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hydrofoil-board.md) - [Wearable Electric Three-Wheelers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wearable-electric-threewheeler.md) - [Ultra-Stiffened Road Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/highperformance-road-bike.md) - [90s Mountain Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/4130-flat-bar.md) - [Rowing-Style Recumbent Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/varibike-extreme.md)