Originally Posted by
Darth Steele
Speak to/email the fitter and tell him what you are looking to buy and have him check the
#s . You paid good money for your fitting, they usually give you a follow visit anyway..use it my good woman
She actually hired me part time on Saturdays to help at the shop (which I’m super stoked about
), so I’ll see her pretty often. I did speak with her about specific measurements I should look for with the bars, but she only gave me a width and said the rest is more about personal preference rather than measurement.
Originally Posted by
kleng
I notice that your bars appear to be rotated upwards or have been cut short, I suspect this it to give a flat transition from the bars to the hoods. in this position it is not using the full 140mm drop depth, so if you change to a 130mm drop compact bar , you will be in a similar position.
The compact shape would give you more hand positions towards the end of the bars, which are useful if for example you sprint out of the saddle while in the drops, the horizontal sections don't create as much of a wrist bend as you have now with your current bars in their current position
You make a good point, I would be in the drops more often if they didn’t bend my wrists so much like this set does. You’re right about why they’re tilted up, I like to be stretched forward but find that when the hoods are down more, it makes my wrists bend forward to reach the brakes. Very uncomfortable for rides over 30mi. That compact you linked looks like a pretty good compromise! Bookmarked
Originally Posted by
Fiery
Are you comfortable with the amount of drop your current bar has? It doesn't look like you need less drop, but only you can tell how it feels. You defintitely need a more comfortable drop shape, one where the drops are closer to paralel with the ramps behind the hoods.
Would that be like what @
kleng was suggesting with the compact shape? I’m comfortable with the reach, but I’m not okay with the angle of my wrists. I could drop even further with no discomfort if the shape of the bars allowed my arms to relax.
I can use or restock this 110mm stem at the shop so I think it would be wisest to find the bars I like and then experiment with a longer stem.
Originally Posted by
valygrl
Nice bike!
I've used a handlebar almost exactly the same as that Ritchey (Salsa Poco) and it was HORRIBLE. Those ergo bumps put my hands right to sleep. I like the compact shape quite a bit, personally - using an FSA K-force compact bar. Handlebars are so particular, and so important to how your bike feels, it's probably worth shopping for them in person so you can hold them. Looking at your picture, I wouldn't go with a shorter reach to the hoods, but you can get away with a shallower drop unless you are racing.
Thanks! I just got it a few weeks ago
That’s exactly what I was worried about for the ergo bars, looks like they would press into the nerves of your hand. Is there an advantage to shallow drops for someone who has a long reach? I don’t race and have no desire to, but I like the option to tuck into the drops for descents and strong headwinds.