Hi all,

Due to a Bonktown misadventure I've ended up with a 26.0 Stella Azzurra bar and stem. I know a lot of it is heavily dependent on how stiff the equipment is, but is 26.0 gear in general a lot worse in terms of overall stiffness? I've never run it before - only 31.8.

You're fine. Some will argue there was never a need for 31.8. I think Deda has something even bigger now.

I went back to my 26.0 Deda Newton and 215s on the winter bike.

As much up to manufacturer as it is up to size. In general though, 31.8 is heavier and so there is more material and will be stiffer.

Many a person have biked many a miles on 26.0 bars and stems. Most Oval Concepts sponsored pros still run 26.0 bars.

IMO - nothing to worry about.
There are pro-tour teams still on 26.0, and if they can win sprints/races on them, they are probably good enough for the likes of us.

I've got a set of 26.0 bars, I like them a lot, but they don't fit my hands very well.

I'm not sure if you're talking about the tube diameter or other ergonomic features of your particular bar, but all points where you grab the bar are generally the same diameter, whether 26.0 or 31.8. It's just the clamp area that's different.


Either way, they're both right that there's nothing wrong with 26.0. I've used both and can't tell the difference. I'm on 26.0 right now simply because I'm cheap and would rather use my current classic bend bar than spend $50+ for similar in a 31.8 size.

Stiffness depends on both tube diameter and thickness. 26mm bars can be made very stiff if the manufacturer wants to.

You'll never notice.

- Z

I have bikes with each, no difference to me.

Cool - thanks. Both the stem and the bar are Stella Azzurra and are both fairly light (185 gram bar, stem in 31.8 110mm is listed at 130) so I'm more worried about it being flexy because its light than because of the clamp diameter. Was curious though how much the size mattered.

No difference. I run Nitto 26 bars and Dimensions stem. I think 31.8 is the answer to a question nobody asked.

Yeah, the only good thing about it is the most common road and MTB size are finally the same clamp diameter after all these years!

Makes multiple light mounting a bit of a ***** for me and I don't sense any performance or safety improvement.

I use 26mm aluminum bars that are replaced every two years so the Al doesn't fatigue and the bar snaps (like it did on my previous 26mm bar which was 4 years old at the time).

I have 26.0 and 31.8 bars. I'm a stickler for stiffness in the cockpit...stem, handbars, fork and wheel. I've had to deal with flexly stems but have not found that issue with bars in general.

What brand was that bar and are you heavy or abnormally rough on your equipment?!!!