What are bullhorn bars for?

[bubbaeck]

What exactly are bullhorns for? Are they allowed in track events? I was thinking of chopping my track bikes drops. Would it be better to leave my handlebars normal drops?

[thiskidgotmoxie]

Bullhorns are not allowed in any mass start track events. They may not be allowed in individual events either, but I'm not 100% sure. So if you want to ride track, especially mass start events, then yes, it would be better to leave your drops alone...

[CrimsonKarter21]

They may not be allowed in individual events either, but I'm not 100% sure.
??? Of course they are, haven't you ever seen a Kilo, Pursuit or anything?

Bullhorns are only allowed in non-mass start races, like the team pursuit, kilo and pursuit.

[hxzero]

Bullhorns are for steering your bike.

[thiskidgotmoxie]

??? Of course they are, haven't you ever seen a Kilo, Pursuit or anything?I've never seen anyone using bullhorns at a kilo or a pursuit. I've seen aero bars, but not bullhorns.

[Yoshi]

I've never seen anyone using bullhorns at a kilo or a pursuit. I've seen aero bars, but not bullhorns.

They preceded aerobars for TTs/pursuits, and aerobars are pretty much bullhorns with extensions in the middle. In fact the aerobars I'm using are actually a set of bullhorns with clip-on aerobars.

[Yoshi]

Moser used them for his hour record:
http://www.sportmedicina.com/CAMPIONI7/MOSER.jpg


Laurent Fignon used it during the famous 1989 TDF time trial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyvwtOQYQ-E

[thiskidgotmoxie]

Oh, I thought we were talking about the present, not ancient history! ;)

[CafeRacer]

I feel that this picture has a place here........ Kiritchenco was a beast!

http://www2.ijs.si/~mleskovar/kiritch1_2.jpg


I usualy make fun of my boss for riding a "funny bike" back in the day for TT's and Pursuit but I would love to have in my house an Eastern Bloc Kilo bike like that. Complete with upside down mounted stem and all. Preferably without the broken handle bar.

[queerpunk]

damn.

[11.4]

Bullhorns are perfectly legal for 500m and 1000m time trials. For 500m time trials, many riders find that they don't do better with aero bars because the transition offsets any aerodynamic advantages. As a result some riders just use regular drops, others use bullhorns. The top Russian riders often use bullhorns in world cup level racing. You just won't find them many other places.

[CrimsonKarter21]

I've never seen anyone using bullhorns at a kilo or a pursuit. I've seen aero bars, but not bullhorns.
Ah, I was thinking clip-on aerobars mounted on bullhorn-type bars.

[Bigring867]

Bull horns are approriate for all street poser minimalists. They are a great start for that handful of bar or a Philly cutdown that is soooo...wit it nowadays.

[durty]

What exactly are bullhorns for? ?

the first question posed was never answered. I too am curious what are they really for? what advantage do they pose?

I have bullhorns on my commuter bike because the drops were a waste since I always rode with my hands on the break extensions. but what are they really for, if anything other than preference and coolness (duh)
-durty

[c0urt]

the first question posed was never answered. I too am curious what are they really for? what advantage do they pose?

I have bullhorns on my commuter bike because the drops were a waste since I always rode with my hands on the break extensions. but what are they really for, if anything other than preference and coolness (duh)
-durty

it is easier for me to make the leverage to stop my commuter with bullhorns than with track drops.

[triplesixer]

it is easier for me to make the leverage to stop my commuter with bullhorns than with track drops.

I agree, but bullhorns are SO trendy and they look so damn stupid.

[ChiapasFixed]

i agree with cOurt, bullhorns offer more leverage for skid stops and genegral deceleration when riding fixed on the street.
not sure about track applications, but many top riders have used them in time trials....

[dutret]

Oh, I thought we were talking about the present, not ancient history! ;)

And now the bullhorns are a little higher and serve as the base for the aero bar. You have never seen a pursuit or kilo have you?


Aerobars provide no leverage so they are attached to bullhorns so you can get up to speed.

[octopus magic]

And now the bullhorns are a little higher and serve as the base for the aero bar. You have never seen a pursuit or kilo have you?


Aerobars provide no leverage so they are attached to bullhorns so you can get up to speed.

The best thing is when you DO apply leverage to them and they tilt downwards and you've suddenly lost focus on riding and more on trying to fix your bars and ughghghghghghg.