Road Cycling - Handlebars

My shop suggests that after I get all the sizing bugs worked out of my Giant, I should go from a 42 to a 40 width on my handlebars.

So now I have to choose them!

Where to start?

edit - this is what the shop showed me as an example http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.html?SKU=15327

and theirs was at $65!

3T Prima is pretty nice, and there's an eBay seller who sells them for $ 49. To be honest though, I never can tell the difference from one bar to another.

I ride a 44 Richey WCS bar on my road bike and find it to be light and comfortable but a little flexy, the cost for that bar was 65 dollars when I puchased it 3 years ago.
On my touring bike I ride a 44 TTT Forma SL I find this bar to more comfortable then the Richey, has less flex, is not noticably heavier and cost 29 dollars. So I would suggest the TTT bar from an all around value and perforance perspective.

One more thing, A narrower bar, if too narrow will restrict your breathing, A wider bar will make you slightly less aero. Make sure you really need the 40cm bar, it could reduce your aoverall performance. If you want to verify this yourself, measure the distance between the center of the ball of your shoulders, that should be the minimum distance between the drop centers of your bar.

Originally posted by mrfix
One more thing, A narrower bar, if too narrow will restrict your breathing, A wider bar will make you slightly less aero. Make sure you really need the 40cm bar, it could reduce your aoverall performance. If you want to verify this yourself, measure the distance between the center of the ball of your shoulders, that should be the minimum distance between the drop centers of your bar.

Thanks - we talked at length about this - the pros and cons of wider vs narrower bars yadda yadda yadda. We also did measure my shoulder width - I'm tiny :)

some bars are measured C-C some outside to outside at the drops.others are measured at the ends of the bars.Know how the replacements are measured relative to what you have.Terry sells bars with indents behind the drops to help smaller hands reach the levers if you need help there too.The Terrys are about $40.

Originally posted by pokey
some bars are measured C-C some outside to outside at the drops.others are measured at the ends of the bars.Know how the replacements are measured relative to what you have.Terry sells bars with indents behind the drops to help smaller hands reach the levers if you need help there too.The Terrys are about $40.

oh - good idea on the Terrys! Thanks I'll check them out.

(yep, I know about the measurements - thanks though)

3TTT do a shed-load of different style in that size at pretty good prices and quality.
http://www.3ttt.com/

Compared to bog standard drops, some come with indents to run cables, straight sections on the drops for handholds (tried it, dont like it), extra curvey sections for better grip on the tops (the morphe).
Make sure you can reach the brakes easily with your style of bar. The only thing to do is try them. Ask your LBS if you can trial a bar. Mine let me try 3 when building up a custom bike.
Check the website for how they measure the various dimensions. Width is outside to outside.

This is what I decided to go with - it's a salsa poco.

I was having a tiny problem being able to reach the brakes comfortably from the hoods - so we think this will help that.

any thoughts (it's supposed to be like the Terry bar that does the same thing)?

thanks.

It seems like a shallow drop (also called Italian classic) bars are for you also.
The Salsa looks good with the ergo bend in the drops- just make sure the reach to the drops isn't too deep.
Also the Ritchey Biomax are good for this with ergo bend, shallow drop and a ergo bend at the tops too.
The Ritchey would be my first suggestion to you.

Originally posted by MtnBikerChk


Thanks - we talked at length about this - the pros and cons of wider vs narrower bars yadda yadda yadda. We also did measure my shoulder width - I'm tiny :)

I ride a little wider than my shoulder width. The trick I use is to stick the bars right across my chest with the drops around my shoulders. If it fits snug then it's good for me. For those wanting to fit it exactly to your shoulder width, just go 2cm smaller.

The bar/stem system is one critical area where I would NOT get too carried away with weight savings! (This is the last area you want to have a failure with while having an all out sprint etc). Keep that in mind while making a selection... ;)

Originally posted by MtnBikerChk
My shop suggests that after I get all the sizing bugs worked out of my Giant, I should go from a 42 to a 40 width on my handlebars.

So now I have to choose them!

Where to start?

edit - this is what the shop showed me as an example http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.html?SKU=15327

and theirs was at $65!

Have a friend measure your shoulder width across your back, from the right outside edge of your arm to the left outside edge of your arm. Everyone I spoke to wanted to size me with 44cm and professed it would be ok. I have wide shoulders. After measuring myself, 20", and reading up on the internet, I needed a 46cm. There are not many bars made at 46cm, so my selection was small, but I got one. That won't be the case for you. But, make sure you take good measurements. And, don't completely trust what LBS employees say, their selling. Fitting is the most important part of a bike purchase, also arm length and torso for extension and the right stem.

low-tech me!!! i just measured mine ,a narrow 40c off a "ladies-bike" realy to narrow for me but great for confident hi-speed "surfing" between lanes of gridlocked traffic:D

I picked it up yesterday. Now if only it would still be light out when I get home from work, I could try it! It makes the bike look even smaller than it did before!

Size wise, (width) I know it's good. I had my husband measure me and then the shop measured me (we agreed). Thanks for the suggestions tho.

MBC, just curious, which one did you select?

hey read back she posted on it..


salsa pocos are what she picked

Originally posted by Cipher
MBC, just curious, which one did you select?

:D :D

Originally posted by MtnBikerChk
I was having a tiny problem being able to reach the brakes comfortably from the hoods


Might be something helpful here (http://www.velonews.com/phorum/read.php?f=1&i=50438&t=50374), although I think they're addressing reach from the drops. Brake lever reach is not an uncommon ladies problem.