The Pros and Cons of U-Style Handlebar Trimmers vs Regular Handlebar Trimmers

Hi, this is Brad with Copper Creek Cuts, a lawn care company in Northeast Florida. One thing I’ve received a few questions about since getting the ECHO SRM-3020U is the bicycle-style handles—do I like them better, do they work better, and should you get one? That’s what this video is about: a rundown on the pros and cons of the U-style (or bicycle handlebar-style) string trimmers and brush cutters versus the regular loop handle, or standard string trimmer.

The U-handle style excels in a few key areas. First, they usually come with a harness, which makes a huge difference over long periods of use. In the case of ECHO, it's a two-point harness that distributes the machine’s weight across your body and hips. There's also a hip pad that allows you to rest the machine there, making it significantly easier to handle during extended use. Second, the handlebars allow you to turn the machine without heavily engaging your lower back. While you’ll still use your back a bit, the strain is much less. For ergonomics, the U-handlebar is the clear winner—especially if you’re trimming for 30–60 minutes. The handlebars and harness relieve a lot of pressure from your back and place it on other parts of your body that can better sustain it.

Some people say the U-style handlebars aren’t good for ditches, but I disagree. If you're standing in the right spot—at the bottom of the ditch rather than the side—the U-handle can actually be more comfortable than a regular handle. That said, the ergonomic benefits do come at a cost. One downside is setup and breakdown time. It’s not major—maybe 2–3 minutes per job—but if you're used to moving quickly, you may find it annoying to loosen, turn, and tighten the handlebars, clip on the harness, and get everything situated. Also, those wide handlebars make it tough to use in cramped areas or dense tree stands, where maneuverability matters. Clearing the trimmer head when it gets tangled or adding new line can be frustrating, too—you’ll need to shut the machine off, disconnect it from the harness, drop it, and then access the head. Not a deal-breaker, but a pain when you have to do it repeatedly on a long job.

One last advantage: since your hands aren’t bearing the machine’s full weight, you can grip the handlebars more lightly. That’s a big deal because gripping power equipment tightly increases vibration exposure, which is hard on your hands. Less grip equals less vibration.

So, should you get a U- or bicycle-handle trimmer, or stick with a regular loop-handle? If all you’re doing is weekly property maintenance, the U-handle isn’t really for you. But if you’re doing brush clearing, tackling overgrown areas, or expect to be trimming for more than 30 minutes at a time, then a U-style handlebar trimmer is worth considering for the ergonomic benefits alone. Hopefully this video answered your questions about the two handle styles. If you’ve got more questions, drop them in the comments below and we’ll get back to you. Thanks so much for watching—I really do appreciate it.