RoboIsGod

I'm looking for a nice set of bars that'll fit my 3t quill stem (25.8 clamp?). Probably something 44 end to end, with a nice modern-esque bend (nice flat-to-brake transition). I've got a nice pair of 3t Forma bars but I just can't get the dang things through the stem clamp. Everytime I force them the stem starts to spread quite a bit and I'm afraid I'm going to crack em. Any suggestions are appreciated!

3speed

I don't really know much about handlebars, so they might not even be all that great for all I know, but I really like my Ritchey Pro bars. You can get them in a nice wide size if you like and they're double butted aluminum and don't weigh too much. The bend works well for me with my Cane Creek SRC-5 levers. The only thing being color. I don't know if they come in silver or not, but the only ones I've seen have been black, so if you're going for a vintage silver bar then they might not fit your criteria.

If nothing else, I'm pretty sure they're fairly easy to find new or used. I got mine from a plastic bin full of $5 used bars at an end of spring sale.

Road Fan

Look for 25.4 clamp or 26.0 mm. I like Nitto Noodles, Nitto Randonneur, and Nitto B115. Also the FSA Compact series.

stien

I recall seeing a black alum bar that someone stripped and polished. Came out to a really nice silver but also had a flat top. I ran into the non-flat top for STIs with Cinelli Gd'I bars on my colnago. I might have to do something about it.

I did just search the FSA site and found nothing about bars smaller than 31.8.

The bar was here - EA50.

triplebutted

I've got a nice new EA 30 in 26.0 size. Pricepoint.com.
I'm gonna look for more in 26.0 sizes too cause I can always get a 31.8 shim. I have small hands and 26.0 bars fit better for me.

stien

Also don't think you have it hard until you start using a Cinelli stem. 26.4!? I have 1Rs on both of my quill'd bikes!

RoboIsGod

How did he strip that dang black finish off those bars? I got my eyes on some on ebay that i'll probably snag. If I can polish em up like that I'll be a very happy camper.

jstewse

Probably lots of chemical stripper. If you have access to a sandblaster, that would probably help as well.

rat fink

Oven cleaner.

RobbieTunes

I just mounted a 3TTT Forma into a 25.4 Sakae quill stem. I had to wedge the clamp open maybe 1-2mm to get it over sleeve.
On the bends, you have to have the narrow part of the stem clamp (bottom side) going into the curve. It took me a couple tries.
Then, to get it over the sleeve, I had to wedge it a bit open, carefully slide it to the center of the clamp, and let go carefully.
Then, to rotate it to the proper position, I again carefully wedged it a bit, rotated it close, and then let it go.
I was about 1/8 turn off, and not enough to scar it up when I turned it to the right position.

buldogge

Deda 215
Ritchey WCS Classic
both work well...

RoboIsGod

Do your bars have the cut-in's/indents for cable wiring? Thats where I'm having the trouble. The curve is pretty steep at the flat to drop bend area. When I'm trying to maneuver the stem around the bend the clamp opening spreads quite a bit, I want to say more than 2mm which scares me a bit. I might be able to get 'em if I really try, but how much of a risk is there cracking these?

RoboIsGod

Thanks RobbieTunes, I was able to get the stem on!

RobbieTunes

Well, after the fact, I'd say "sure, you can do it."

Great job. You're 100% right, that ones with grooves have a heck of a bend going to the flats, and it's tough to get the stem around to where it will travel over.

shorthanded

nitto makes a bunch- great bars.

Pars 

I have one of these I was going to start using. I thought my Modolo bars were also 26.4, but they are 26.0... gak. Any recs for something 26.4, or are there shims available? Seem to recall reading about people using aluminum can strips with mixed results (slipping reported by some).

RobbieTunes

I have 5 bikes using Cinelli stems and Cinelli bars, and have not had a problem mounting any of the bars on the stems.

I once used some 26.0 Ambrosio bars on a 26.4 Cinelli stem, and used aluminum can strips. I put the stem onto the bars, then wedged it open a bit, and slid the aluminum can sleeve into the clamp. The sleeve I cut came very close to overlapping around the bar, but not quite. It clamped on very well, and I had a bit of slip until I put a washer between the clamp bolt and the clamp. Seems Cinelli is pretty smart, and their bolts will bottom out if you try to clamp the 26.4 stem onto a 26.0 bar by simply applying force.

I try always to use the gasket in there, too. They are not in great supply, so I make my own with scissors and a Dr. Scholls insole.

BentLink

I just put Cinelli b-Groove bars on a 26.0 stem...very nice and you can find 'em around $30. I also looked at Salsa bars available in "old fashioned" clamp diameters.

stien

+1 on the beer can approach. I have Fiamme bars that are 26.0 in a 1R currently. No slippage issues. This is a DT shifted bike and I spend 95% of my time in the drops however.

Lenton58 

Ditto ... Also the B-135. All widths up to 148. If you can find a catalog, some flavor of Nitto should fit just fine. And natural alloy color is standard.