How do I measure my bars?

[punkypossum]

Someone asked me what drop and reach the bars on my new bike have, but I haven't got a clue from where to where to measure because they obviously curve(can just about do width, but that's straightforward)... Can anybody enlighten me?

 

[roadiewill]

Well reach is how far you stretch to the hoods...

 

[punkypossum]

Yes, I know, but if you look at road bars on the internet for example it will say something like 90mm reach 135 drop, etc. That's what I mean...

 

[skwerl]

it's the measure forward from the tops (ie the centre of the stem clamp) to the curve in the drops (reach) or the flat of the drops (drop)

 

[jimboalee]

The simple answer is :-

"The right dimensions for me, which wouldn't be right for you."

 

[jimboalee]

If you already have a recent pair of handlebars, go onto Ribble's website.
Choose your bars off there listings and they show the measurements.
Width is outside-outside.

Identify your bars and check them against Ribble's measurements to ascertain whether 'drop' is top-bottom or centre-centre.

Compare reach in the same manner.

 

[youngoldbloke]

a picture is worth a thousand words .....

 

[jimboalee]

Which manufacturer did that diagram come from, because as we all well know, different manufacturers do different things...

 

[youngoldbloke]

http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=Handlebar+Pro+Road+OS&vendorCode=RITCHEY&major=1&minor=15

It clearly illustrates what I have always understood as handlebar reach and drop.
edit: If the link doesn't work try g'ing excelsports.com and then check out their handlebars - they use the diagram with a number of different makes.

 

[punkypossum]

Thanks!!!! That's cleared it up!