Newmen has launched its new Phase range of carbon mountain bike handlebars, covering disciplines from cross-country to downhill.Weights start at a claimed 166g, which is exceptionally light and 19g lighter than Rovals Control SL 35mm handlebar. However, there are two more interesting things going on here beyond simply making another light carbon bar.The Phase uses an unusually steep 8-degree upsweep, which Newmen says helps put your wrists in a better position when riding aggressively. VariGrip versions also enable you to change the effective bar width by 50mm without cutting anything.Why so much upsweep? Specific grips will be needed and various options will be offered. Newmen All Phase bars have 8 degrees of upsweep and 8 degrees of backsweep.Newmen says the steeper upsweep helps keep your wrists better aligned when you move into a more aggressive descending position.Rather than using lots of backsweep to change your hand position, the extra upsweep alters the angle of the grips while keeping the bar relatively neutral from front to back.Newmen says this should also make the bar comfortable in a more neutral riding position, rather than making it feel overly swept back.Whether that shape works for everyone will come down to personal preference, but it means there's more going on with the Phase than the usual choice of rise and width.Change your bar width without a saw The Phase bar uses Newmen's VariGrip system. Newmen The optional VariGrip system enables you to alter the effective width of the bar by 50mm.Adjustable-width mountain bike bars aren't a new idea. Brands including ODI, K9 and Ibis have tried similar concepts over the years, and Newmen has used VariGrip before.The Phase is its latest take on the idea, with 50mm of stepless adjustment built into a carbon bar. The threaded insert in the bar is key to its adjustability. Newmen A thread inside each end of the handlebar matches a threaded section in the grip. You loosen the grip clamp, wind the grip in or out using markings on the bar, then tighten it back up.That gives the narrower version a range of 710 to 760mm, while the wider bar can be adjusted between 760 and 810mm.The obvious advantage is you're not committed to one width after cutting the bar. You can experiment with your setup or change the width for different riding, without permanently shortening anything.VariGrip bars need compatible Newmen grips, with Resia, Slat and Blok options available in different profiles, thicknesses and rubber hardness.From XC to downhill A range of rises will be provided to help ensure your bike fit is right. Newmen The Phase range is split into XC and trail, and enduro and downhill versions.Fixed-width XC and trail bars measure 760mm and come with either 10 or 25mm rise. The enduro and downhill bars are 800mm wide, with 25 or 40mm rise. Both 31.8mm and 35mm clamp diameters are available.VariGrip models offer the same clamp and rise options, but the XC and trail versions adjust from 710 to 760mm, while the enduro and downhill bars span 760 to 810mm.Weights start at 166g for the fixed-width, 35mm-clamp, 760mm-wide bar with 10mm rise. At the other end of the scale, the 35mm-clamp VariGrip bar with 40mm rise weighs a claimed 209g.The XC and trail bars are available now, with the enduro and downhill versions following on 15 December.European pricing is 160 for the XC and trail bars, and 165 for the enduro and downhill versions. Interestingly, Newmen lists the VariGrip bars at the same price as the fixed-width versions.