Road Cycling - Handlebar suggestions

I recently bought a Cannondale Cyclocross for road exercise; the geometry is perfect. I have replaced the nobs with a set of Armadillo 28s, but realized that the handlebars are a little narrow (40cm). Since the shop I purchased the bike at refuses to swap the bars, as they said they would be able to, I am looking for some replacement bars at a 42cm. Do you have any suggestions on replacements. Cinelli Altera drop bars are the originals. Thanks ahead of time for all the suggestions.

Urbanmonk :D

Ritchey WCS/Pro
Salsa (forget the model)
Then all the Italian stuff...I'd check out Salsa first, its solid.

Just watch out when you buy online for bars. Some mfg measure outside to outside and some measure center to center. I was bit by this when I ordered from Bicyclebuys.com. I got ITM Milleniums that are measured outside to outside and they wouldn't take them back because I didn't notice until they were installed, the shifters made marks on them. The bars said 42cm on them so I didn't think to check, but they measured 40cm center to center.
Make sure you ask how they are measured. And there is a risk in shopping online.

If your are a male, I think 40's would obviosly be too small for the average physique; the shop should have spotted this and offered to replace on the spot. If it was left to you, and you noticed after a period of time, a good shop would still arrange some sort of deal to accomodate you. Get your shoulder width taken by a friend in accordance with the method demonstrated in www.wrenchscience.com, and determine what the bar size should be. If the result comes out at 42 or more, take that info. to them and ask them again whether they could do anything for you, with the proviso that if they would not, future business would be conducted elsewhere.

Thanks for the tips. I did just that: I called them and told them about the size issue, and that it was very uncomfortable; I also told them that "they" had stated when I bought the bike that "we will swap stems, and anything to accomadate [within reason, I assumed] a comfortable fit and happy buyer. At the time, I was instructed to ride the bike for a couple of weeks to get accustomed to new geometry and break-in time, so nothing was swapped at time of purchase. I drove two hours to this shop, because of price and so-called reputation for customer service. At end, they said they would credit me $30 toward new bars. If the saleperson should have spotted inaccurate size, which she was measuring at all angles, is this still a fair deal? What do you think?

Thanks,

Urbanmonk

My favorite handlebar is the Nitto Noodlebar. It comes in 42,44,46,48. Check Rivendell for prices and information. http://rivbike.com/

.

It is amazing how much bar width helps especially in climbing. One of my bikes has Cinelli bars with no flare and 42 cc. The other was a radonneur bar with 38 or so on the hoods and 41 in the drops. I have set up the bikes identically in all other respects, but noticed a huge difference in the power transferance, especially in climbing, both in and out of saddle. Envision a set of bars attached to the wall at bike height, and the power you could put down on a bathroon scale while gripping the bars, and compare this to one-footed power without the bar assist, and you will get an idea of how great a role leverage plays in power transference. When I tried to power my way up a hill with the narrow bars, I could really tell the difference, and when I tried to stand after using the other bike the ride before, I almost fell over due to the lack of leverage advantage. Not sure how wide would be the best, there may be a trade-off in quickness in stearing if you go too wide. Rivendell suggests 44 to 46 to many though. I just moved to 44 Ritichie on the second bike and like the feel, but have yet to try on the hills. Will post later.

i'm 5'5", 120lbs and use 39-40cm bars on my road bike with no trouble.

40 will work for some. As I understand it, the bars should correlate to shoulder width. The measurement is a bit difficult though-finding that bone ridge, so some allowance must be made for error. Some put the new bars against the shoulders on the back to see how they compare. The wider bars may open the chest more to facilitate easier breathing, but the downside is that the more exposed chest may create more wind resistance. I do know that Lance Armstrong had a fairly radical bar set-up which was changed and then changed again, but I can't remember what he ended up with. I am happy with the Cinelli 42's, but am also appreciating the Ritchie 44's. I weigh about 175 and have a large torso/short legs. 42+ works for me, but at 5'5 and 120 I can see how 40's might fit the bill.

being able to breathe vs. less wind resistance is a tough call to make...

Simple case of what works for you. I tried narrow bars, didn't like them one little bit.
I'd kinda like to try 46, but I'm not sure there is a point to it. Goldilocks and the three drop bars..

Well, I weigh 180 lbs. and am 5'10, with low body fat; so I really feel constricted in these bars; I think even 2-4cm would fit the bill. Tried the Cinelli 42 and 44s, either one was better than the 40s, but not hung up on Cinellis. I think light but strong is always better, so how much should I spend on a mid-range set? And, should I take the deal presented by the bike shop where I purchased the bike? (see earlier 2 posts.)

Thanks ahead,
Urbanmonk

Urbanmonk,
for your cyclocross bike, check the stem. Sometimes they use MTB stems on CX bikes. That means a 25.6 diameter instead of the 26.0- sometimes it works but you don't want to risk a slip! Or if yours is OS (31.?) than it's easy.

So look to see if it is road or XC diameter.

I like the Ritchey WCS ergo bends. They are very popular CX bars. Very comfortable and sturdy bars and also lightweight- but not "replace every year" lightweight.

Check your shoulder width (center of your ball joint/ center-center). It will be close to somewhere around 42, 44, 46, etc.

I am going to blindly guess 44 or 46's. Some people prefer a slightly wider bar. In CX, they get WIDE for better control.

I remember Greg Lemond saying get the widest bar you can. But, it's comfort and obviously a 40 is WAY to narrow.

Good luck!

Hi,
I'm with Pinky on this,he was the first guy who responded.
I plan on buying a Ritchey Biomax soon. And I have a Sala Poco on my Airborne.
Both are nice bars. I'd consider spending more on one of the super bars, but it doesn't mae a lot of sense for me. Might make perfect sense in your situation. I just look for comfort, and I need it to be reasonably rugged. I tour. If the situation was a little different, I'd love to try one of those carbon bars,Easton looks like a good bang for the buck.

I think the bike shop is trying to accomodate you with the $30 credit note, and that you should accept the offer, the money will go along way towards something that fits better.

Thanks, again. I think I will take the deal, and I probably will refrain from sending the letter of dissapointment in the "fitting" of the bike (since it was the bars and not the frame). I'm off.

Urbanmonk