Bicycle Mechanics - Handlebar sizing

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Psychkle
12-30-10, 10:17 PM
Hello, sorry newbie style question for you...

I've stripped the tape of my 1980's road bars. I've taken the plug out of the end, measured the diameter there and it's 22, so it must be a 22.2mm handlebar ?

I want to fit two cross levers, either side of the raised clamp, so still 22.2mm - something like these :
http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/tektro-rl720-cross-levers-black-and-silver.html

Will it fit ( a 23.8 on a 22.2 bar ) or would I need a shim ?
If it won't fit, is these a wide range of levers at this ISO, or should I upgrade the bars and get a 25.4, 26, 31. etc...

Many thanks in advance,

MACAQUE
12-30-10, 11:54 PM
what you're describing is the grip area diameter, not the clamp size (center of the bar where it has a bigger hump). 25.4mm, 26.0mm, and 31.2mm are clamp sizes not grip area sizing.

those velo orange cross levers will not fit on your handlebars. shims might work, but you're better off just buying the correct sized brake levers. just punch in 22.2mm cross brake lever on google.
AEO
12-31-10, 12:16 AM
road handlebars, drop bars, are almost always 23.8mm OD.
22.2mm OD usually describes flatbars or albatross type bars.

where did you measure from? The ends will be the same diameter until you get up to the clamping portion.

dddd
12-31-10, 12:40 AM
I don't think you'll find any 22.2mm cross levers. That bar diameter suggests it's a steel bar, (could be steel with an alloy sleeve). What brand is the bar?

Normally the CX levers clamp to the bigger, sleeved portion, which is likely 25.4mm or 26.0mm. Mounting the CX levers outside of the sleeve requires a pretty wide bar.

Sorry to say, most CX levers are made to fit 23.8, 26.0 or 31.8mm dia only.
The bigger two sizes often come with shims for 23.8mm, but you'd need a wide bar.
fietsbob
12-31-10, 12:59 AM
Wrap shim material around the bar to build it up.

ID of lever clamp - OD of the bar diameter/2 = how thick the shim needs be.
Psychkle
12-31-10, 04:51 AM
Thank you everyone for responding... You have all been very helpful.

The bar came off a 1982 Maruishi, and is unbranded. ( Could be an add on, upgrade/downgrade.)
The measurement is from the drop, taken diagonally with the end plug taken out.

I wanted to save some moolah by using it, seems I'm better off splashing the spondulicks on a more modern bar.

Thank you !