Handle bars

[Andywinds]

Hi, I am now looking to replace my bars with something a bit wider. I need some advice on how to measure my existing bars to make sure that I don't get the same size. I've also had a look at the different types and still am not sure which ones to go for.

 

[Andywinds]

I've posted up a pic of my current bars. I do not want a big drop. I know I've posted this question up before.

 

[User6179]

The bars on my bike , short reach and drop , some measurements here to compare http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/..._country=190&gclid=CKvmpJ--jssCFSP3wgodnAEIxg

 

[Andywinds]

The bars on my bike , short reach and drop , some measurements here to compare http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/..._country=190&gclid=CKvmpJ--jssCFSP3wgodnAEIxg

Thanks Eddy, I think I need to look for compact bars.

 

[Milkfloat]

Be careful as different manufactures measure their bars in different ways. Some centre to centre and others to the outsides.

 

[Andywinds]

Be careful as different manufactures measure their bars in different ways. Some centre to centre and others to the outsides.

I think this is why I stopped looking last year! Does the reach mean how far the hoods are away?

 

[Andywinds]

How do these look, I can get these in 44cm?

 

[Slioch]

I bought a new road bike bike from PlanetX a couple of years back, and I found the shallow drop handlebars it came with so comfortable I got another set for one of my other road bikes.

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/HBPX6061SD/planet-x-road-bar-strada-shallow-drop

I like the fact that when you go down on the drops, it's not such a big drop as it were, so you don't feel as if you're Mark Cavendish entering the final 100M of a sprint stage with your nose on the front tyre and your arse in the air. They're quite comfortable - useful if you're battling into a headwind as you get a bit lower, but not too low so that it's uncomfortable.

Also, the bars have sufficient "bend" on them that when you set the top of the bars parallel to the ground, the drops are also closer to being horizontal as well. I found my other bars uncomfortable when on the drops because the bit you're holding on to is at too steep an angle, rather than almost horizontal. Other people will be more comfortable the other way round though, so it depends what suite you best.

I also went for a wider bar than was recommended for my size, going for a 44cm width rather than 42cm (I'm 6ft 2in tall, with a 44 inch chest). At my age I'm more interested in being comfortable rather than having a more areodynamic profile, and the extra bit of width suits me better and I feel more comfortable. I certainly notice the difference when I ride a bike with less width on the bar.

Finally, at 20 quid it's not the end of the world if you don't like the bar and want to change it again.

Hope that helps a bit

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/HBPX6061SD/planet-x-road-bar-strada-shallow-drop

 

[Milkfloat]

I think this is why I stopped looking last year! Does the reach mean how far the hoods are away?

Take a look here, all will become clear.

https://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/buye...-handlebar-upgrade.html/3#EWTfetMFL8Towsvd.97

 

[bozmandb9]

I have some 46 cm (c-c) carbon bars if you're interested?

 

[Andywinds]

I bought a new road bike bike from PlanetX a couple of years back, and I found the shallow drop handlebars it came with so comfortable I got another set for one of my other road bikes.

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/HBPX6061SD/planet-x-road-bar-strada-shallow-drop

I like the fact that when you go down on the drops, it's not such a big drop as it were, so you don't feel as if you're Mark Cavendish entering the final 100M of a sprint stage with your nose on the front tyre and your arse in the air. They're quite comfortable - useful if you're battling into a headwind as you get a bit lower, but not too low so that it's uncomfortable.

Also, the bars have sufficient "bend" on them that when you set the top of the bars parallel to the ground, the drops are also closer to being horizontal as well. I found my other bars uncomfortable when on the drops because the bit you're holding on to is at too steep an angle, rather than almost horizontal. Other people will be more comfortable the other way round though, so it depends what suite you best.

I also went for a wider bar than was recommended for my size, going for a 44cm width rather than 42cm (I'm 6ft 2in tall, with a 44 inch chest). At my age I'm more interested in being comfortable rather than having a more areodynamic profile, and the extra bit of width suits me better and I feel more comfortable. I certainly notice the difference when I ride a bike with less width on the bar.

Finally, at 20 quid it's not the end of the world if you don't like the bar and want to change it again.

Hope that helps a bit

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/HBPX6061SD/planet-x-road-bar-strada-shallow-drop

Thanks for the info, yes I am with you here, I am fairly wide as well. Like you say at £20 its not a great expense.

 

[Andywinds]

Take a look here, all will become clear.

https://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/buye...-handlebar-upgrade.html/3#EWTfetMFL8Towsvd.97

Thanks for the post, I will have a read.

 

[Andywinds]

I have some 46 cm (c-c) carbon bars if you're interested?

Let me know what you would want for them. I'm not sure if 46cm is too big for me?

 

[bozmandb9]

Let me know what you would want for them. I'm not sure if 46cm is too big for me?

£35 plus p and p? I think they're Bontrager xxx lite.

 

[Andywinds]

£35 plus p and p? I think they're Bontrager xxx lite.

Its a great price thanks, but I picked up one already.