What are the options for 1970s-1980s handlebars? The Superleggero seems to be the only bar under 280 grams. Any other options? 25.4-26.0 only and must be pre 1990s.

there is a shorter safe use period for aluminum handlebars ,

so if you like your face un damaged get a new handlebar..

Superleggero is just superlight in Italian .

learn what the alloy is , the higher strength like 7075 can be drawn thinner.

Post bending heat treatment will help .



I see a number of old bars with a sag to them .

the brake levers point inward [viewed from the front] suggesting replacement is past-due.

So do you actually have an answer to the posted question?

I know what the word means its a model of bars from 3ttt and of course newer light stuff is safer however that was not the question. Nor was the process. I asked what options are available please.

Its your neck.. I dont dont buy old handlebars other than removed from a bike to scrap .

unless I know for Sure they're new Old stock .

Metallurgy , Mechanics 101 . they have a useful fatigue life , that is probably past .

I have different priorities, suit yourself.

now ask about New light handlebars [your LBS can do that] ,

you may need a new stem due to the 1" road bar is obsolete.

If you are unfamiliar with the process of a vintage restoration why are you posting in the classic and vintage forum? You have yet to answer the question.

VELObase is a good place to look, the 3ttt Competizione (Merckx Bend) is listed as 275....Lots more to look through i

Don't bang your head on this one... As a reference here are 2 weights for modern bars:

Ritchey WCS Classic: 224g
Kestrel EMS Pro Carbon: 243g

The guy gave you a lot of useful information, even if he didn't specifically answer your question. Given that your question is so basic, it sounded like you could use that information. There is no need for the attitude.

The answer I have for your question is that it depends a lot on the bike and on what look you are going for. I would not recommend the same bars for a 1977 Bob Jackson as for a 1972 Cinelli or for a 1955 Jack Taylor.

So, what are bike are you looking to fit, and what style of bars do you prefer?

Nonsense...he does the same thing in mechanics...big long dissertations without answering the question.

But lets keep this thread on track....

Light bars.....

3T SL's
GB's

Around here the lightweight bars are the ones in the hotels, always watered down and pricey for the touristas, I prefer the heavyweights like Waterfront and Noble Experiment... oh wait HANDLE bars!

6 sentences is a dissertation now?

That bob dude is nothing but a troll in sheep's clothing. Just read some of his previous posts. Most are bunny trails if you can even make sense of what he's trying to say.

a.d.d.

I understand. My doctor told me I suffered from Attention Deficit

Well if your looking for under 280 in 70's and 80's you well have a hard time. You can get some very nice hardened cho-mo or alloy thin walled bars that are newer fairly easy in a variety of sizes and styles including several classic styles which will look just fine ounce taped. But if you want to stay 70's, 80's specific to the end on this you will need to compromise some on wieght or spend some serious coin for $100-150 to save 100gms.

Bob does not write long dissertations. His posts are Haiku-like with incomplete sentences, improper punctuation and random capitalization. Sometimes he makes worthwhile contributions. More often not.

Good observations. With that stated, I enjoy fietsbob's contributions. I think it is specifically because of the things you mention.

OOOH OOOH MR Kotter, I have a question? What is the overall project? Are you going super weight weenie? What brake levers do you plan to use?

If your looking for a uber light bar and then intend to hang a set of heavy brifters, Iphone, and heavy padded tape on them what is point?

All this about Bob aside, the OP still has not informed us what bike he wants the bars for, or what he's looking for in a bar, besides low weight. It's hard to answer his question without some information.

I wasn't aware aluminum sagged? It's usually a snap and land on the ground type thing, or so I thought?,,,,BD

He wants a light bar.... what it's for is his business.


Yes, it does. I've only seen a few saggy bars, mostly ones without a center sleeve.

3ttt Prima are scarce. I have an ergo bend @ 220g. There are classic bends, too.
Color is smoke grey tho and it's like late 80es or early 90es...

3ttt competizione superleggero works too.

Castings don't have much if any elongation, drawn or extruded AL will deform, such as handle bars when they are bent to the shape we enjoy the most, drop bars. Same is true with steel but there aren't very many parts on a bike that are cast with the exception of lugs which use to be formed from sheet metal that does have some elasticity.

The two lightest feeling handle bars I have owned are the TTT Super Leggerro and an old set of AVA alloy units that came with a very nice AVA steering stem. I did not weight either set of bars.

Anything else in the light weight handle bar category? Not sure but I just went through all of my handlebars, Cinelli double old logo, Cinelli new logo, TTT Grand Prix, TTT Super Leggerro, GB, Nitto, SR, Sake, Cyclo, and the Big Guy know what else. Not one of those, except the TTT SL impressed with weight concerns.