VeloNewbie

I was just browsing through the "On track pics" thread, and I noticed it looked like alot of people are running road bars? I could be wrong though. Maybe they just look like that in the pics. When I sprint on my road bike, my road bars hit my forearms. That being brought up, what kind of bars are you guys running on your track bikes? Pics would be awsome too. Thanks

Dalai

Discussed briefly only recently - https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...d-amp-Width%29 - though not with pics. Just check out the Show off your Track Bike photos topic and check the bars there?

queerpunk

When I sprint on my road bike, I get pretty good bruising on my forearms, too. That's why, when I was building up my last track bike, I used Nitto B125 bars - the track bend gives forearm clearance.

However, I don't sprint the same way on my road bike and on my track bike. On my track bike, my wrists never really come close to the bars, because the bars are narrower and because I mostly sprint seated.

So, I'm changing handlebars to classic bend bars.

Take a look at pro enduro racing (six-days) and other international-level stuff (world cups, olympics), and you'll see that most enduros use a road bar of their preference (some classic, some compact), some use 3T-type bars. Sprinters are using specialty bars, either oversized carbon, the 3T supershallow ones, or classic steel or alu track drops.

Impreza_aL

I use 40cm 3T Rotundo bars.

carleton

That is why "sprint bars" are what they are...to clear the forearms during standing starts or slow out-of-the-saddle sprints where the arms straighten.

Many endurance racers don't do that motion, so they don't need bars that clear the forearms. So, they use standard road bars which either they already have laying around, or can find cheaply.

Sprint bars are synonymous with the track because they are only used on the track. But, in actuality, road bars are used by most riders on the track.

Being that you have experienced your forearms hitting, you should get sprint bars.

carleton

The least expensive sprint bars that I would suggest are the Nitto B123 and Nitto B125. The steel are less expensive than the aluminum alloy. These bars have the same general shape. The only significant difference is that the B123 have more reach and deeper drop than the B125. I have Nitto B125s on my bike right now.

These have a 25.4mm clamp area, so you'd need a 25.4 stem or use shims. Shims are fine. They are a pain to setup sometimes, but they hold strong.

World Champions have used those bars...recently:



There are many good bars out there like the Easton EC90 Track and 3T Scatto. But those get expensive. There are lots of less expensive options, too.

JMR

I use Pro Vibe 7S Alloy track bars and really like them.

They are light, strong (very little flex), oversize (so work with a "normal" stem) and inexpensive compared to 3T Scatto's and EC90's.

https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/roa...rs/proahbak200

JMR

Dalai

I use the Deda Pista bars for the same reasons JMR.

Lew.

A set of Deda Magic's, but that's only because they were on my Fondriest when I brought it.
I can't say much about how they feel, their the only bars I've used for the track.
I've noticed road bars are nowadays 'compact' and shallow dropped... My track bars aren't, and that's how I like them. I've noticed a few shallow road bars appearing at my local track, do they give any advantages? I think they look and feel quite silly...

Kayce

Each has their advantage

Road bars are cheap, easy to find, and come in a thousand shapes.

Sprint bars have clearence for standing starts.

I really like my sprint bars, because my body shape puts me out pretty far on standing starts, so a road bar would not work at all. But for many people they may not be nessisary. If you are just getting into track, I would suggest putting on a road bar you know you like, and if forearm clearence becomes an issue try out some sprint bars.

VeloNewbie

Thanks for all the replies so far guys. Right now I have Soma(major taylor style, I think?) on my track bike and just regular road bars on my road bike. I definitely do notice that when I try to "sprint" on my track bike, I dont have the problem of the bars hitting my forearms. Someone once told me that some people use steel over aluminum because steel doesnt flex as much(im not sure if thats true or not). I want to get into the beginner class in the spring, but for right now im just riding it in the city to get used to the feel of the bike vs my road bike. Unfortunately, I think im starting to like riding my track bike more than my geared road rig. I like the "manual" feel of a fixed gear vs a geared bike. LOL. And I also like the constant pedaling. I never realized how much I coast until I got a track bike.

carleton

Yes, steel is stiffer. But, this is only a factor if you are strong enough to flex the aluminum. To be honest, most people aren't.

Steel bars are stiffer and cheaper, but they are heavy (not really a big deal) but more importantly, they transmit lots of vibration from the track which can be annoying.

Carbon bars are light, strong as steel, and absorb vibration...but pricey.

If you aren't super strong, then Nitto B123AA or 125AA would be the best compromise if good stiffness, light, and vibration dampening.

Nagrom_

Wait, steel is stiffer than aluminum?

Brian Ratliff

Of course. Aluminum frames are only stiffer than their steel counterparts because aluminum enables large diameter drawn tubes without the weight penalty. Handlebars are all of standardized diameter, so aluminum, having a smaller Young's Modulus than steel (3x difference), is less stiff.

Nagrom_

Thanks for the info, assumed it was the material, rather than the shape. Thanks.

kindablue

I use the sprint bars that came with my langster. Makes me feel cool.

Only downside is that I cant do barspins with them, I kid.

On a serious note, anyone here use the Sphinx from 3T? I love me some points races and the imaginary hoods position is pretty tempting. Thoughts, reviews?

Pantani98

I'm currently using the stock Felt aluminum track bars that came on my TK3 but I do like the shape of the track bars. I wanted to take a look at the Nitto B123AA bar Carleton recommended and found these: https://www.tracksupermarket.com/inde...roducts_id=344 Had no clue that bars could be illegal in NJS due to color. I'm guessing it's due to tradition.

carleton

Why would you order them from Japan? You can get them faster and cheaper from a US store.

Pantani98

Oh, I'm not ordering those. I just threw in a quick google search and clicked on the first link to see them. They may be my bar of choice when I'm ready to order and build the Tiemeyer. But no way I'm buying them from Japan.

kyle!

I borrowed them from a buddy out of curiosity myself. The aero "hood" position is really nice and amount of real estate in the drops is generous. That being said I'm not crazy about them. The bars have a great deal of flex which you don't feel too much while racing but I can't imagine they speak well to their longevity. Also I feel just as comfortable mimicking aero positions on standard bars a la this hero of a guy...

carleton

The Sphinx were somewhat of a "flash in the pan" in terms of popularity. As Kyle mentioned, they are noticeably flexy. But, it's my understanding from a frame builder, that carbon is unique in that, as it ages, it will will start to flex a bit then maintain that slightly lesser stiffness for much longer than expected. Whereas aluminum and steel will slowly degrade.

A bigger problem is that they are sort of awkward and if you don't really, really use the Sphinx riding position, then it's a waste of money. The Sphinx position is only used and only useful when taking solo breaks in a long race, like when trying to lap the field solo.

I'd suggest trying the Sphinx riding position using normal road bars for a while and if you find that you really use that a lot in races then consider getting them. As noted in the photo above, this position can be used with regular road bars. Actually, that's where it originated. It simulates the TT position.



Roadies call this the "Invisible Aero Bar" (IAB) position.

Aerobars:


Drop bars in IAB position:

queerpunk

Carleton's pretty right-on about sphinx bars.

for me, though, the real kicker is that they're ugly as sin.

i saw 'em on Adam Blythe's bike during the Zurich Six-Day. Just looked wrong.

JMR

The Sphinx bars were designed by 3T with Cameron Meyer to make it easier for him to ride in what they call the "praying mantis" position... apparently this position allows the chest cavity to expand fully while still remaining aerodynamic.

Here is a photo of Cam in the PM position.
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/phot...-and-ioc/96000

They are also good for the IAB position as Carelton mentions above.

JMR

Kayce

If you are a points racer that is looking for a ride in that position, they are just what you need.

Few people fit that description.

kyle!

I'm totally a points/long scratch racer and I ended saying "eh". I am kind of a sucker for taking long pulls to force a selection and/or shooting off the front. A lot of which I do "on the hoods" or more accurately in the hooks of the bars.

The Sphinx [I]are ugly and just kinda weird at the end of the day. I was super excited about them when they came out and was just dying to try them. I'm glad I never pulled the trigger.

I have seen some weird variations on endurance track bars that have me curious, however. I think Predator makes one.

Edit: oh yeah. I don't even think Meyer himself rode on Sphinx on his last few track races. So he either got over them or it was because of his recent team switch and ensuing sponsorship change.