Classic & Vintage - Handlebar types and styles

Cheers,

I'm a newb in this thing I admit, and look at your bicycles and notice all those different handlebars.
Is there a certain rule/trend/type of handlebars, I notice some are bigger, for what type of bicycles are which intended - touring, racing, climbs, training, etc etc...

This handlebar I have on my bicycle:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Big-Size-Italmanubri-ITM-Mod-ITALIA-COMPETITION-Handlebar-44cm-Fixed-Gear-/110933401230?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19d4255e8e
sorry i did not found any other source besides ebay...
http://www.pelotonstore.com/ebay/bigsizeit-1344606704-1712.jpg

If anyone can point me in the direction of 70s and 80s handlebars and what are the good/bad sides of some of them, which are considered top products at that time, ergonomically, etc etc...

Also I read some articles about handlebar width and it's mostly for new bicycles, how for starting point the handlebar width should be the same as the width of the shoulders and depending on the driver, some prefer narrower or wider due breathing and such. Do these "unwritten rules" apply for C&V road bikes too? How should the handlebar be mounted? With the lower part of the horn (drops?) parallel with the top tube or?

Thanks for your replies and patience!

Here is an excellent article on handlebar geometry: http://ruedatropical.com/2009/03/road-drop-bar-geometry

Rules are meant to be broken!
Get whatever suits you best!

The number of shapes and sizes can drive you crazy!!! Back when I tried to race I loved these really deep Merckxx bars but now today I find I like a much shallower Nitto (and cheaper) bar.

In general I agree with the shoulder width as a starting point for bar size but after that you use what makes you comfortable. I know guys who love Pista (track) bars on their road bikes, and others who would not use anything but a Cenilli Mod 64 even if they were given solid gold bars to use.

Also to note: Besides width & shape, handlebar bar clamp diameter's can come in different sizes, esp from different munufacturers (26.0mm, 25.4mm, 26.4mm...etc). You need to match up the same size bar w/ the same size stem for the correct fit, no matter what shape bar you're looking to get. Handlebar & Stem Dimensions (http://sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-handlebars.html)


I know guys who would not use anything but a Cinelli Mod 64 even if they were given solid gold bars to use.

^^^.... :p Way too heavy that gold!

You need to go with whatever feels comfortable. That could take some experimenting, but if you're happy with what you have now, just stick with it.

How should the handlebar be mounted? With the lower part of the horn (drops?) parallel with the top tube or?


The drops should be as close to parallel with the ground as possible while still being comfortable to hang onto.
See the link posted by Metacortex for lots of good info and note how the bars are positioned in the diagrams.

many people aim the bar ends at the rear brake, but i like mine more parallel to the top tube than that. it gives my palms more leverage when in the drops.

i've fallen in love with the classic cinelli design, the 64-38 bars. the width is perfect, and i love the shallow drop. i've now found longer drops are irritating to ride, forcing me to spend too much time on the hoods and tops. the problem with cinelli though is the difficulty in easily determining clamp size. so, what other bars have a similar geometry to the cinelli 64-38? should i look for nitto classics? what else?

I think a lot of folks on this forum are fans of the rando bar. Many here find them quite comfortable for long rides. I like them too.