Jude

I have a sweet Raleigh Technium 440 which is my only bike. I have become pretty discontent with the handlebar and brake lever situation, especially after getting onto some of my friends' road bikes which have newer styles of both. I guess "ergonomic" handlebars and brake levers with big ol' hoods that you can ride on nicely. Because of both the shape of my handlebars and because there are suicide levers, I can't do that, plus the bars are pretty narrow and cause a lot of discomfort when riding in the drops.

So I'm about ready to go down the the LBS and check out some possible upgrade materials, but I was just wondering, basically, what's the cheapest, decent quality handlebar and aero brake lever combination I could get get? And if I go beyond the cheapest ones possible, what exactly am I paying for in terms of difference in quality? For example, if I get this https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...1_10000_201514 as opposed to this, https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product..._200276_200389, what exactly am I missing out on besides the opportunity to say I spent more money on parts? Same question goes for cheap vs. more expensive brake levers.

Thanks!

sonatageek

Well as far as the levers go, the Tekro 200a are a very good and inexpensive choice.
https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...ke+Levers.aspx

bobdell

+1 on the Tektro levers. Big squishy hoods - very comfortable.

wrk101

I usually either get them off a donor bike, or I buy a handlebar set off ebay. A couple of weeks ago, I bought two handlebar/stem brake lever combos on ebay: nice alloy stem, alloy bars, and RX100 Aero levers. Price was comparable to the levers alone. ($15.50 plus $7 shipping).

I find that parts when grouped together on ebay can be a deal, while individual parts can go high. For about the price of a set of used handlebars, I have found several with stems and levers still in place.

Jude

I was wondering what exactly distinguishes a high quality brake lever from a low quality one, and the same for handlebars. With brake levers I guess I can imagine it a little easier, since it has moving parts...but a handlebar? Aside from weight, I have a really hard time imagining what makes a $30 handlebar different from a $300 one, aside from "breaks after 6 years" versus "doesn't break."

RobbieTunes

Since you have a Technium 440, alloy in silver may look better. 2 questions:

1) do you ride the drops or the hoods? If you ride the hoods, why do you want ergo bars?

2) how wide? You may be amazed how cheap you can get a used Nitto bar in 40-32cm.

Jude

1. Right now, only the drops, because my current hoods aren't a useable position. On other bikes, both. I use the drops when speeding, climbing big hills, etc.

2. I plan to try out a couple and see what kind of width I want. All I really know is that what I have now is too narrow.

Amani576

Shoulder width bars are NICE! But not everyone likes them that wide.
-Gene-

RobbieTunes

Hey Jude,

19.99 for decent ergo drops is a good price. Wheel and Sprocket often has 3TTT ergo drops for around the same price.

With ergo's, hand fit is essential, as the right ones feel great, the wrong ones surely don't. There's not quite as much flexibility in hand positions.

Curved drops can offer more places to put your hands, especially on long rides, but don't have a specific ergo area that fits your hands. There are pro's and con's to both, I'd say.

If you can find a way to try some out, wearing gloves but not wrapping the bars, that'd be the best way to know what you don't want. Bar preferences vary almost as much as saddle preferences.

My plug for ergos: 3TTT Forma in silver, Richey Pro's in black, Eleven81's are good for the price.
My plug for curves: Nitto B115 and Noodles, Cinelli 66 series (needs 26.4 stem) and Ambrosio.

Good luck. The right fit, the right bar, the right saddle. Then you're cookin'

Ronsonic 

I'll also suggest the Tektro levers. Beyond that you pay for brand name, weight, finish, brand name. The Tektros pretty much follow the Campy ergo pattern.

In handlebars, spending more gets you lighter, probably more rigid alloy, better graphics and a brand name. If you want to try the nashbars, PM me and you can have mine for half whatever they're asking plus ships. Low miles look fine as they ever did. I went back to the Cinelli for the bike these were on.

Bends are a matter of taste and personal fit. What one guy loves will cripple the next fellow.

Jude

What makes an alloy more "rigid?" I'm not accustomed to my handlebars bending under pressure...