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short reach drop bars

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Old 06-18-07, 11:35 AM
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short reach drop bars

I'm looking the shortest reach drop bar available to the brake hoods (I only use the drops in strong headwinds). I'm currently using an oem asian import ergo drop bar and the reach is too long for me to the brake hoods. I find myself mostly riding with my hands just behind the hoods with my finger tips resting on the hoods. Anything shorter out there? Thanks.
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Old 06-18-07, 11:40 AM
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Try a Deda Newton Shallow Drop Bar.
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Old 06-18-07, 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted by chipkbw
Try a Deda Newton Shallow Drop Bar.
Thanks. Is the reach to the drops shorter or just the drops themselves not as deep?
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Old 06-18-07, 12:21 PM
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Originally Posted by bfloyd
I'm looking the shortest reach drop bar available to the brake hoods (I only use the drops in strong headwinds). I'm currently using an oem asian import ergo drop bar and the reach is too long for me to the brake hoods. I find myself mostly riding with my hands just behind the hoods with my finger tips resting on the hoods. Anything shorter out there? Thanks.
I have experimented with a lot of different drop bars. Be careful what you wish for. There is a reason that drop bars have reach and that is room for the heel of your hand when resting on the hoods, particularly if you ride with Campy hoods. I prefer a mid to long reach drop bar because otherwise my hands are cramped or uncomfortable on the hoods. I tried for example the Deda Newton Classic curved Shallow Drop bars with short reach and shallow drop. I didn't like the amount of room on the hoods or for that matter the curvature of the drops because of my palm width which isn't huge just medium to large.
The only way to decide as to what you prefer because each of us are different, is to experiment.
Have fun.
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Old 06-18-07, 01:28 PM
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Originally Posted by bfloyd
Thanks. Is the reach to the drops shorter or just the drops themselves not as deep?
Both from what I understand. The Deda website has all the measurements and dimensions.
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Old 06-18-07, 01:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Campag4life
The only way to decide as to what you prefer because each of us are different, is to experiment.
True statement. But experiment costs money.
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Old 06-18-07, 01:38 PM
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Originally Posted by bfloyd
I'm looking the shortest reach drop bar available to the brake hoods (I only use the drops in strong headwinds). I'm currently using an oem asian import ergo drop bar and the reach is too long for me to the brake hoods. I find myself mostly riding with my hands just behind the hoods with my finger tips resting on the hoods. Anything shorter out there? Thanks.
I felt the same way before too.

Then I realized that most nice aftermarket handlebars actually have a lot shorter reach. For example the Easton EA70 has a 78mm and the Deda newton has a 83mm reach (i think). As opposed to the 100mm reach that came on my stock Giant TCR. I use the Deda newton anatomical bar now.

Changing out the bars made a huge difference for me.
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Old 06-18-07, 01:56 PM
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Bontrager X Lite. 75mm reach.

https://www.bontrager.com/Road/Compon...ebars/5803.php
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Old 06-18-07, 02:00 PM
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Ritchey Biomax and Salsa bars have very short reach also.
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Old 06-18-07, 02:43 PM
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Salsa Poco is the shortest and shallowest I've seen. I have two sets on two bikes...they've been great.
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Old 06-18-07, 03:24 PM
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Originally Posted by roadfix
Ritchey Biomax and Salsa bars have very short reach also.
I find the Biomaxes less than comfortable personally. The ergo bump is huge and there is no flat section to speak of in the drops. I will be switching mine out soon.
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Old 06-18-07, 03:29 PM
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Originally Posted by marqueemoon
I find the Biomaxes less than comfortable personally. The ergo bump is huge and there is no flat section to speak of in the drops. I will be switching mine out soon.
I agree. The tops and reach are comfortable but the ergo bends are too radical. I miss the flat section on the drops.
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Old 06-18-07, 03:30 PM
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Rotate your handlebars just a short bit. Then view from the side to bake sure they are still positioned right. You'll be surprised what rotating the a little will do.
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Old 06-18-07, 03:33 PM
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Originally Posted by jmarkley710
Rotate your handlebars just a short bit. Then view from the side to bake sure they are still positioned right. You'll be surprised what rotating the a little will do.
I did that on the Biomax but ended up with brake levers too far to reach when in the drops. I had them on my road bike for a while but didn't work for me.
I decided to give it another try on a recent conversion project. So far, I'm not liking it.......I'm installing Nitto Noodles instead.

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Old 06-18-07, 04:03 PM
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Originally Posted by sogood
True statement. But experiment costs money.
Honestly, it doesn't cost much. E-bay is the gene pool for bicycle parts. Buy a part at a good price, use it for a while and see if you like it and if not then put it back into the pool.
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Old 06-18-07, 04:39 PM
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Originally Posted by roadfix
So far, I'm not liking it.......I'm installing Nitto Noodles instead.
Noodles are pretty comfy all around. I mounted my levers a little to high on my first attempt though.

I'm thinking of trying them out on my fixed gear but I'm also considering some Midge-type bars. I do a lot of climbing in the drops when I can't downshift.
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Old 06-18-07, 08:52 PM
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The current-model OS Easton EA70's work for me -- short reach, moderately shallow drop.
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Old 06-18-07, 09:26 PM
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Originally Posted by roadfix
I did that on the Biomax but ended up with brake levers too far to reach when in the drops. I had them on my road bike for a while but didn't work for me.
I decided to give it another try on a recent conversion project. So far, I'm not liking it.......I'm installing Nitto Noodles instead.

I was thinking he should rotate them towards the back. So that the drops start to angle up. Not really far. Just a slight bit. Kinda like yours just a mm or two more. Anatomics might be a little different. I want to get some. Speaking of if anyone wants to swap some aluminum classic drops for anatomics PM me.
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Old 06-18-07, 10:10 PM
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Kind of pricey, but you could take a look at Deda Campione carbon fiber bars, which definitely have a short reach and a truly classic bend. Plan on zapping your wallet for about $400.00 to give them a whirl.
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Old 06-18-07, 10:19 PM
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FSA K-Force compact and SL-K shallow both have 78mm reach...

VCRC ultralight alloy bar has a 75mm reach...
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Old 06-19-07, 12:46 PM
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Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Many choices mentioned for me to look for a good deal on.
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Old 03-13-08, 07:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Blue Jays
Kind of pricey, ...about $400.00 to give them a whirl.
"kind of pricey"?
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Old 05-12-11, 11:35 AM
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ritchey carbon curve is the best on the market so far
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Old 05-12-11, 12:07 PM
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My wife went in for a fitting yesterday and they pulled out the smallest bars I have ever seen. They had a 70mm reach and 120mm drop. They were Bontrager WSD VR 31.8- She used the 36cm width but they come in sizes up to 42cm. About $50.

I like my 3T ergonova and ergosum's too. Smaller than average drop and reach.
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Old 05-12-11, 12:52 PM
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Quick everybody run.....it's a zombie
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