fishermba2004

Does anyone have a bias against aluminum handlebars on a touring bike?

I'm looking to replace the drop bars on my 54cm Surly with something the same size and shape but with a flat top on the bar. My hands find this much more comfortable. Is there a term for the flat areas on the top of drop handelbars?


I was considering something like the ControlTech Formidable CL Handlebar but would like something wider.

thanks.

acantor

I don't think there is any bio-mechanical or mechanical advantage to drop bars that are wider than one's shoulders.

The most comfortable drop bars I have ridden were the Randonneur type, which sweep slightly upward from the stem, and have drops that flair slightly outward.

If you ride on the drops, it's good to be able to wrap several fingers around the brake levers. On one my bikes, the geometry of the handlebars and the brake levers made this very awkward.

rodar y rodar

Sort of a loaded question- no matter what you ask about, SOMEBODY will say you`re going to eat up your sprockets, break spokes, get boils on your butt, and suffer a painful death if you go with (insert product or practice here). I`m pretty sure those flat topped bars only come in aluminum- if you like them go for it.

paxtonm

Generally, steel bars are traditional for really cheap bikes and track bikes. Carbon are for weight weenies and roadies. Aluminum are standard. The flat areas you refer to are often called ramps. I second the motion to look at rando bars or something like the Nitto Noodle bar. I think you'll find what you're looking for there.

TOLOCOMan

I have the FSA Wing on my road bike and I really like them. Fits the description of what you are looking for. Available in 40, 42, 44cm center to center.

rodar y rodar

That might be what he`s asking about, but I had the impression he meant those new "wing" type bars mentioned by TOLOCO.

fishermba2004

The lack of aluminum bashing religious type fervor answers the question

The flat portion of the handle bar I was asking about is parallel to the ground. An exaggerated version can be found here. https://www.ovalconcepts.com/products...ere=11&idCat=2

Is that what is called ramps? It's hard to google shop for something when you don't know what it's called.

TOLOCOMan

No, ramps usually refers to the flatish part of the bar leading up to the hoods. I'm not sure what you mean is called either. Some companies seem to call them wings. The bars I recommended are the style that you are looking for.

rodar y rodar

Good thing you didn`t mention the "C" word

Yeah, that style is relatively new. I guess there`ll eventually be a standard recognized name for them, but I think so far they still go by whatever the different mfgs call them.

surfjimc

The type of bars you are looking for are called "wings". There are lots of carbon versions, and FSA makes a nice aluminum version, so does Easton.
Another thing you might try is to double wrap your bars. Do a layer of cork and then wrap them again with whatever you want on the outside. That makes your bars very wide and soft, and gives a similar feel to having wings.

Thisisit

When I built up my LHT I put Cannondale Fire 44cm drops on which are aluminum. I liked the width since they provide a lot of flat space but over the course of my tour I found the drops don't curve back far enough for me.
I didn't have any problems with the aluminum aspect but will be looking for new bars over this summer so this thread should be good to keep an eye on. I'd say try as many bars as you can before you settle on one because that will be the best way to determine what you like the best.

Posterboy

I'd suggest Nitto Noodle drop bars. Flat ramps on the tops, and you can get them really wide - 48 cm. I have have them on my Cross Check, and they're the most comfortable drop bars I've used in 40+ years of riding. You can get them through Rivendell. Other online retailers, too.