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Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - handlebar advice needed

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dgreenb1

07-17-07, 06:58 AM

I am 6' tall and weigh 214lbs. I have just bought a "new" used cf road bike. It is a 58 Kona King Zing and came with a 120mm FSA K-Force Stem and 44cm FSA K-Wing Bar.The bar has a 90mm reach. Unfortunately in order to get comfortable I have had to put the saddle far forward in what would almost be a time trial position. In an effort to remedy this, I have installed a 90mm stem and this has helped enormously, but I would still like to get back another little bit. In addition I am not crazy about the K-Wing bar. Consequently I have been trying to find a carbon bar with a shorter reach. I am also trying to decide between a 42 and 44cm bar. I am 64yo and live in SW Florida so climbing is not an issue. I do pretty fast training rides with two different groups and once a month we do a time trial. When I plugged in my stats on Wrenchscience.com it came up 44 for bar width, but I wonder if 42 might be more useful aerodynamically.

So, I need some advice on two issues. Which size should it be and can anybody make some suggestions for a carbon handlebar with a reach shorter than 90mm. If this is not an appropriate forum for this discussion, please let me know which would be more suitable.

TIA
DG
Fort Myers, Florida

Tom Stormcrowe

07-17-07, 08:03 AM

Well, first off, welcome to Clydesdales! Sounds like you got a nice ride there!

OK, for the bar width, Even a bit narrow can get very uncomfortable on a long ride. Now to address the K Wing, what don't you find comfortable about it? Perhaps that will help me figure out A) whether a change in bar angle, or B) A change in bar will help you the most. Maybe a shorter stem? This would tend to make the bike really twitchy at first though until you get used to the new geometry.

Another source of info might be the Road Cycling Forum, if you can get through the overabundance of testosterone there.

I am 6' tall and weigh 214lbs. I have just bought a "new" used cf road bike. It is a 58 Kona King Zing and came with a 120mm FSA K-Force Stem and 44cm FSA K-Wing Bar.The bar has a 90mm reach. Unfortunately in order to get comfortable I have had to put the saddle far forward in what would almost be a time trial position. In an effort to remedy this, I have installed a 90mm stem and this has helped enormously, but I would still like to get back another little bit. In addition I am not crazy about the K-Wing bar. Consequently I have been trying to find a carbon bar with a shorter reach. I am also trying to decide between a 42 and 44cm bar. I am 64yo and live in SW Florida so climbing is not an issue. I do pretty fast training rides with two different groups and once a month we do a time trial. When I plugged in my stats on Wrenchscience.com it came up 44 for bar width, but I wonder if 42 might be more useful aerodynamically.

So, I need some advice on two issues. Which size should it be and can anybody make some suggestions for a carbon handlebar with a reach shorter than 90mm. If this is not an appropriate forum for this discussion, please let me know which would be more suitable.

TIA
DG
Fort Myers, Florida

Terrierman

07-17-07, 10:33 AM