The perfect classic bend handlebar...
 

...is the Easton EC90 Equipe Pro. 75mm reach, 130mm drop. Most importantly, the bar doesn't have that horrible slanted angle where the levers clamp on, so you get a nice flat platform for your hands. "Belgian style" bars have this quality, but they always have a huge drop (~145mm).

I have looked EVERYWHERE for a bar that uses these measurements and bend. No luck, except for an old Icon bar I found in the back of a LBS. Probably came off a Trek sometime in the late 90's.

The next closes thing I've found is the ITM Visia, but it's a little longer, a little deeper, and the bend is not as "round" at the clamp area.

Why not just buy the Easton, you ask? Well, for one, it's carbon (and I don't like carbon bars), and two, it's horribly expensive (and I don't like that either).

Anyone know of a bar (preferably aluminum) that mimics this one?

Check out the Nitto Noodle series - there is one on the chrome bike in my sig.

+6.94827 billion... Noodles are the best. I use them on 2 of my bikes and love them. Look at the R3 in my sig. There's a close up of the bend.

Deda Newton


...comes in shallow(Italian) or deep(Belgian)

Thanks for the help so far. Couple of comments (and now I'm going to sound pretty anal):

- The Noodle is essentially a "Belgian bend"; nice constant radius and a flat platform on top, but at 95mm throw and 140mm drop, it's just bigger than I'd like. It's close to the same bar as the Deda Newton Deep or the FSA Energy T.

- The Newton Shallow is an "Italian bend" or "Maiz bend" bar; much shorter throw and only 135mm drop, *but* the platform is slanted and you don't get an even transition from the shifter body to the top of the bar like you do with the Noodle.

So I'm really looking for a bar that has the shape of the Noodle, and the extension & drop of the Newton Shallow. Only bar I know of that has this the the Easton Equipe Pro-- no aluminum version. Again, thanks for any suggestions people have.

...and by the way, that's some of the best bike porn I've ever seen.

Thanks! Check out the rest of the Nitto line - some good options there.

Nitto 115! The only downside is the 25.4mm clamp.

I use a problem solvers shim and it's been fine so far (w/ thomson x2 stem)

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/2350/prshm1dj5.jpg

Thanks for this thread. I now know what that new custom steel frame is getting for a bar (Nitto noodle), seat (Sella An-Atomica) & seat post (Nitto Crystal Fellow); my god will it set off that white frame.

Grahny, that tape on the Cervelo .. leather? Nice setup!

I use a NOS Salsa 25.4 stem :)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1077/...41c2961d_b.jpg

The 115 has 140mm drop and 100mm throw; basically a Belgian bend.

Looking for something ~ 130mm x 80mm (like Italian), flat clamp platform (like Belgian). Seems picky, but even 5mm makes a noticable difference.

I finally just broke down and ordered an Easton Equipe Pro. I don't want a carbon bar on any bike of mine, so I'll keep looking...

No love for the Ritchey WCS Classic?

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18...ugust06044.jpg

FWIW, I have the Easton EC90 Equipe Pro and love it.

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/184938807-L.jpg

Classic bend by Cinelli.

Not much. I had a cache of these bars from last year's team pro deal, and the platform at the clamp area is so sloped you can't possibly get the shifter to line up flush with the bar without tilting the bar waaaay back. At that point it has a virtual extension of about 110mm and the drops are too steep for me.

Shimano shifters? I ask because I love them on my Campy equipped bike and then got a set for my Shimano bike. It just wasn't the same and I couldn't put my finger on it. I think you've nailed it. I may be looking at a set of Nitto Soba Bars for the DA bike now.

No, Campy, but it's even more pronounced on Shimano because the brake hood platform is a bit shorter. Some people can comfortably fit their palm on a Campy hood, but my hands are on the larger side and they sit on the bar as well.

Either way, the Ritcheys have one of the more pronounced slopes on their clamp area and usually need to be tilted back to get a flat platform. This will always extend the virtual throw of the bar (no matter what the spec says about "82mm" or whatever). The Nitto has a pretty flat platform, but still has a lot of extension anyway. In the realm of classic bend handlebars, only the Easton (as far as I know) has a short throw, shallow drop *and* a flat platform.

if you could post a pic when you get them on the bar, that'd be great. i'm looking for exactly the type of bar you're talking about, and it'd be excellent to get a straight on profile of them with the shifters on.

even if they are carbon, these might turn out to be perfect in shape, if a bit radical:

Much love for the classic Cinelli 66 Campione del Mondo bar. I searched high and low till I found one with double grooves to work perfectly with modern Campy Ergo on my Serotta. :D

Anyone tried the Modolo Curvissima, not a classic curve but worth a look if you like shallower drops.

http://www.la-vuelta.com/veloidealPA...RES_MODOLO.htm

I found most Modolo bars to be very flexy. Those that I owned (a couple models) and those I've heard about and seen as well.

I'm still looking. Rad, you are surely violating some sort of law by posting such beauty.

Damn! :)

... Brad

Check out the FSA RD200 classic bend. Very nice.

64s for me. Hard to beat.