Flat top handlebars
#1
Thread Starter
Guads of Steel
Joined: Jan 2009
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Flat top handlebars
Can anyone give some feedback regarding flat top handlebars? If you switched from round to flat top did you feel any difference in terms of comfort?
Any other benefits or even cons you can think of?
Thanks for your time
Any other benefits or even cons you can think of?
Thanks for your time
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 134
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From: Rutland, VT
Bikes: Specialized 2006 Allez Elite
you mean flat top as in wing style? https://www.competitivecyclist.com/pr...183.221.0.html ?
pros - definitely more comfortable for climbing IMO. it may be mind tricks, but I also feel like it's virtually minimized hand tingling I had intermittently before
cons - the wing style is wider so it's more difficult to fit camera mounts around them
pros - definitely more comfortable for climbing IMO. it may be mind tricks, but I also feel like it's virtually minimized hand tingling I had intermittently before
cons - the wing style is wider so it's more difficult to fit camera mounts around them
#3
#5
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Joined: Jun 2010
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I just switched to the wing pro (same as the cc link above) from a round-top bar. I had Fizik gel pads on the tops on the round bar and still never felt really comfortable on the tops. The transition to the hoods was also not very friendly. The new bar is SO much more comfortable WITHOUT the gel, even. It even feels as if there is a concave-ness to the underside that my finger tips can really dig into due to the cable route.
Hand pain and tingling is totally gone.
I love these bars.
Hand pain and tingling is totally gone.
I love these bars.
Last edited by Sienna19; 06-25-11 at 10:42 PM. Reason: more info
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 60
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From: Memphis, TN
Bikes: 2012 S Works Tarmac SL4, 2013 Allez Race
I just switched to an Easton EC90 Aero from a regular bar:
https://www.eastoncycling.com/en-us/r.../ec90-aero-303
and I enjoy it. I have larger hands so the extra real estate ontop makes for a more comfortable ride. I haven't felt any kind of performance boost while climbing, but extended climbs are noticeably more comfortable. I had a 15 mile...4200 ft climb, a real hamstring punisher,and basically spent an hour up top; nothing went numb.
Also, I put an alum stem ontop for a little more flex...those wing bars are really stiff.
https://www.eastoncycling.com/en-us/r.../ec90-aero-303
and I enjoy it. I have larger hands so the extra real estate ontop makes for a more comfortable ride. I haven't felt any kind of performance boost while climbing, but extended climbs are noticeably more comfortable. I had a 15 mile...4200 ft climb, a real hamstring punisher,and basically spent an hour up top; nothing went numb.
Also, I put an alum stem ontop for a little more flex...those wing bars are really stiff.
#7
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,190
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From: RTP, NC
Bikes: LOOK 595 & Cannondale CAAD9
#8
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,639
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From: Northern California
you mean flat top as in wing style? https://www.competitivecyclist.com/pr...183.221.0.html ?
pros - definitely more comfortable for climbing IMO. it may be mind tricks, but I also feel like it's virtually minimized hand tingling I had intermittently before
cons - the wing style is wider so it's more difficult to fit camera mounts around them
pros - definitely more comfortable for climbing IMO. it may be mind tricks, but I also feel like it's virtually minimized hand tingling I had intermittently before
cons - the wing style is wider so it's more difficult to fit camera mounts around them
#9
I first rode an OEM Bontrager Race Select Bar. Didn't like it.
Then, an OEM Cannondale C3 Ergo Bar.
Liked it a whole lot more than the Bonty.
But, when it was time for me to customize my cockpit, I went with the following set-up:
FSA K-Wing Carbon Compact Bar (44cm)
Bontrager XXX Race Light OS Stem (110mm)
Fi'zi:k Microtex Bar Tape
Fi'zi:k Gel Pads
It changed my riding experience. ("my" being the key word there)
The flat top bar offers me more riding positions over longer rides.
I personally found it more more comfortable than a round top bar.
Plus, the compact bends allowed me to get into the drops much better.
I was lucky in that the LBS owner had an identical set-up on his rig.
I got to get a real feel for it before I invested into it.
Good luck.

Then, an OEM Cannondale C3 Ergo Bar.
Liked it a whole lot more than the Bonty.
But, when it was time for me to customize my cockpit, I went with the following set-up:
FSA K-Wing Carbon Compact Bar (44cm)
Bontrager XXX Race Light OS Stem (110mm)
Fi'zi:k Microtex Bar Tape
Fi'zi:k Gel Pads
It changed my riding experience. ("my" being the key word there)
The flat top bar offers me more riding positions over longer rides.
I personally found it more more comfortable than a round top bar.
Plus, the compact bends allowed me to get into the drops much better.
I was lucky in that the LBS owner had an identical set-up on his rig.
I got to get a real feel for it before I invested into it.
Good luck.

Last edited by 2ndGen; 06-25-11 at 11:34 PM.
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 148
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From: Atlanta, GA. The city too busy to do anything well.
Bikes: Litespeed Palmares.
I recently went with a winged or flat top handlebar and I really like it. Like previous posters I'm getting less tingling in my hands. I too have kind of large hands so it's just more comfortable to have more space to rest my hands.
#13
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,711
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From: Conejo Valley, CA
Bikes: Domane SLR7 Disc
Ditto to many of the comments above. I had the FSA Wing Pro's (alloy) . Loved ' em....then just switched to FSA compact wings (alloy) which I really like. So selling off the regular FSA's this week and keeping the compacts.
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#14
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Pennsylvania
Bikes: Pedal Force RS2, Canyon, Basso, Tommaso, Rock Racing, Schwinn, SWOBO, Trek
Bought a Token Mono-Q white carbon fiber handlebar and 110mm token white carbon fiber stem. Nice, gives my bigger hands a nice platform when on center bar going 25 mph. Little heavy but excellent quality.
#16
I think the extra weight helps dampen vibration than superlight aluminum bars/stems/etc...
I could probably get my bike into the 14lb range if I went light with my cockpit,
but I don't want to lose the comfort I've put into it so I'll live with the weight.
#17
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 134
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From: Rutland, VT
Bikes: Specialized 2006 Allez Elite
#18
I have been riding these for quite a while now:
https://www.ritcheylogic.com/dyn_prodfamily.php?k=98031
There is a weight penalty with most of these bars but I will never go back to round bars. At 6'4" I have large hands and was never comfortable on long rides with a round bar. I also find them to be excellent for climbing. I suspect I will switch when these become available:
https://zipp.com/bars/vukasprint/
They are lighter and I expect up to Zipp's usual level of super stiff and strong.
https://www.ritcheylogic.com/dyn_prodfamily.php?k=98031
There is a weight penalty with most of these bars but I will never go back to round bars. At 6'4" I have large hands and was never comfortable on long rides with a round bar. I also find them to be excellent for climbing. I suspect I will switch when these become available:
https://zipp.com/bars/vukasprint/
They are lighter and I expect up to Zipp's usual level of super stiff and strong.
#19
Peloton Shelter Dog
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Chester, NY
Bikes: 2017 Scott Foil, 2016 Scott Addict SL, 2018 Santa Cruz Blur CC MTB
The FSA K-Wing Compacts are Pcad Approved®.

I don't see what other information you would need after that.

I don't see what other information you would need after that.
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#20
Peloton Shelter Dog
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From: Chester, NY
Bikes: 2017 Scott Foil, 2016 Scott Addict SL, 2018 Santa Cruz Blur CC MTB
Please note the spiffy red electrical tape applique covering the stupid Cervelo cable holes in the top tube.
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#21
Peloton Shelter Dog
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From: Chester, NY
Bikes: 2017 Scott Foil, 2016 Scott Addict SL, 2018 Santa Cruz Blur CC MTB
But those Zipps are sharp.
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#22
spookeaymarine.info
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Me, I'm in Central Alabama C.S.A. But my husband is under the bed. He's sure there is a black helicopter orbiting our house.
Bikes: Schwin,Ross,Cannondale.
#23
Peloton Shelter Dog
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From: Chester, NY
Bikes: 2017 Scott Foil, 2016 Scott Addict SL, 2018 Santa Cruz Blur CC MTB
K-Wings do rock. Went to the compacts on the S2, and now that bike fits me better when I'm in the drops.
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#24
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Joined: Jul 2009
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I suspect I will switch when these become available:
https://zipp.com/bars/vukasprint/
They are lighter and I expect up to Zipp's usual level of super stiff and strong.
https://zipp.com/bars/vukasprint/
They are lighter and I expect up to Zipp's usual level of super stiff and strong.
Avail July 1st.
Still wish someone made this style bar in alloy.
#25
Live to ride ride to live
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,896
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From: Austin, Texas
Bikes: Calfee Tetra Pro
The only down side is that I use 46CM bars and they now appear to be extinct. The largest size I can find is 44CM now.






