Looking for recommendations on a drop handlebar with shallow reach.
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Looking for recommendations on a drop handlebar with shallow reach.
I got a mongoose cipressa (large) racer. The height is ok for me, but the reach is a bit to long. My legs are a bit long compared to my upper body.
I'm planning to fix my reach by getting a handlebar with a shallower reach. Currently I'm using a handlebar with 13cm drop and 13cm reach, but I figure I could probably go down to 7-8cm in reach. My current handlebar is 42cm in width, but my shoulder width is 38cm, so that could go abit down, although I don't find the extra 4cm to be a problem.
Also I'm going to try a stem with a bigger angle, the current one is 90 degrees.
Anyone care to give me some recommendations on good handlebars and adjustable stems?
I found these here:
https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...+Drop+Bar.aspx
https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...Rise+Stem.aspx
Sound good to me, but I'm not so experienced in these matters, so any recommendations and hints are welcome
p.s. I'we never changed a steering wheel, so I'm not sure if I can reuse the handlebar tape. Should I get some of that to?
regards
Frímann
I'm planning to fix my reach by getting a handlebar with a shallower reach. Currently I'm using a handlebar with 13cm drop and 13cm reach, but I figure I could probably go down to 7-8cm in reach. My current handlebar is 42cm in width, but my shoulder width is 38cm, so that could go abit down, although I don't find the extra 4cm to be a problem.
Also I'm going to try a stem with a bigger angle, the current one is 90 degrees.
Anyone care to give me some recommendations on good handlebars and adjustable stems?
I found these here:
https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...+Drop+Bar.aspx
https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...Rise+Stem.aspx
Sound good to me, but I'm not so experienced in these matters, so any recommendations and hints are welcome

p.s. I'we never changed a steering wheel, so I'm not sure if I can reuse the handlebar tape. Should I get some of that to?
regards
Frímann
#5
I like mine a lot. I can comfortably ride in the drops for a long time. It's not expensive, either.
Your tape will be stretched out where it passes the shifters, and will probably be hard to reuse on new bars. And some brands of tape have an adhesive strip that might make it hard to remove in one piece.
Your tape will be stretched out where it passes the shifters, and will probably be hard to reuse on new bars. And some brands of tape have an adhesive strip that might make it hard to remove in one piece.
#6
Deda Newton shallow is worth looking at, too.
https://www.dedaelementi.com/En/Produ...ctIDMaster=365
https://www.dedaelementi.com/En/Produ...ctIDMaster=365
#8
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Thanks for your recommendations. I'll take a look at them later on. In the meantime, then here are some pics of my bike.
I'm a little bit worried that if I go for a handlebar with shorter reach, that it won't be as comfortable going down on the drops. But then again, I probably won't be doing that so much because I'm rather stiff.
I mostly feel safe with my hands on the top of the shifters, and my fingers on the breakes all the time. Especially since I ride with traffic sometimes and want to be able to react and break as fast as possible if something goes wrong.

I'm a little bit worried that if I go for a handlebar with shorter reach, that it won't be as comfortable going down on the drops. But then again, I probably won't be doing that so much because I'm rather stiff.
I mostly feel safe with my hands on the top of the shifters, and my fingers on the breakes all the time. Especially since I ride with traffic sometimes and want to be able to react and break as fast as possible if something goes wrong.

#9
Sloth Hunter

Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Tucson, Arizona
Bikes: 03 Lemond Zurich (Sold) 07 Steelman Custom steel road bike
I test rode a bike with the FSA Wing Pro Compact and I spend more time in the drops than the hoods. I'm sold on those bars and will have a set within a very short time.
Looking at your bike you have a very short stem. If you go with a shorter reach, get a longer stem.
Also, I have a similar looking anatomic bar and it sucks compared to the FSA bar.
Looking at your bike you have a very short stem. If you go with a shorter reach, get a longer stem.
Also, I have a similar looking anatomic bar and it sucks compared to the FSA bar.
#11
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I found a new Bontrager Race Lite handlebar really cheap at a local store. Around $30.
It looks perfect:
Reach: 75mm
Depth: 145mm
Width: 42cm
Weight 230g
I'm just going to grab that I think, unless anyone has any objections against that type?
It can be viewed here: https://bontrager.com/model/00280
It looks perfect:
Reach: 75mm
Depth: 145mm
Width: 42cm
Weight 230g
I'm just going to grab that I think, unless anyone has any objections against that type?
It can be viewed here: https://bontrager.com/model/00280
#13
Sloth Hunter

Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Tucson, Arizona
Bikes: 03 Lemond Zurich (Sold) 07 Steelman Custom steel road bike
Too much wrist contact on the Bontrager bar. The FSA sweeps out, eliminating that and allowing better control while in the drops. The Madone I test rode had the Bonti bars and I just didn't like them.
dreamspy: The bar you mention has a lot of drop.
dreamspy: The bar you mention has a lot of drop.
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,296
Likes: 578
From: Loveland, CO
Bikes: Cervelo Rouvida x 2
Next time you mount those brake/shift levers, move them up a little higher on the bend. Even 5mm makes a big difference in how long the reach feels.
Shimano brake hoods have always been the longest and the new models are even longer, which isn't good for short torsoed riders.
I use Easton EC90-SLX3 short reach bars, but they're not cheap.
Shimano brake hoods have always been the longest and the new models are even longer, which isn't good for short torsoed riders.
I use Easton EC90-SLX3 short reach bars, but they're not cheap.
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Bloomington, IN
I switched to ec90 equipe slx3 also, great and still $100 at Jenson.
https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...dlebar+09.aspx
The ea70 ergo has the same reach and drop listed as the ea90 equipe slx3 but I can't verify that.
https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...+Road+Bar.aspx
Add: I see they only have the 44 and 46cm widths left for the EC90.
https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...dlebar+09.aspx
The ea70 ergo has the same reach and drop listed as the ea90 equipe slx3 but I can't verify that.
https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...+Road+Bar.aspx
Add: I see they only have the 44 and 46cm widths left for the EC90.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ravenmore
Road Cycling
2
10-26-11 11:15 AM








