53-11_alltheway

Anybody that has ridden both....Do you think the ergo bend makes the handlebar more prone to flex while in the drop position?

It just seems to me that a traditional constant radius bend might be stronger. I'm no engineer, but some of you guys are. So what do you think?

BTW, I have a 46cm set of Bontrager bars with ergo drops and they do flex in the drops. Nothing really major I just wish they were more rock solid.

The_Convert

53---

You should go on a quest for the absolute stiffest bike components you can find and build an imaginary bike. I would be very interested to see what you discover. I hate all the little flexes everywhere.

cryogenic

I think you should help sponsor such a quest.

twahl

I hereby volunteer to read with great feined interest the report resulting from such a quest.

cryogenic

considering at 130 lbs, I'm probably one of the people least likely to have issues with flex, I can't say such a report would be terribly interesting to me either.

jbhowat

Seeing all the pro sprinters that use ergo bars, I doubt they are more flexible. The flex seems like it would come from the top part. It can be made stiffer with a better bar, etc. Are you sure it isn't your stem flexing (twisting)?

53-11_alltheway

There is absolutely no flex in the stem or hoods. It's just the drops.

I don't know if that's really true, but I have seen some that kind of an in-between variation with a more gentle bend.

It sounds like there is no consensus on this so maybe I just need heavier bars.

Patriot

Engineering wise, a constant curve would provide more strength than an abrupt curve into a staright setcion of tubing. Howeverm it depends on many factors, the alloys used, the thickness of the alloy, and whether it is a variable thickness to compensate, etc.

All you can do is try both types and see which you prefer when exerting superhuman stresses during a sprint over 45mph.

In other words, I doubt you would ever really notice the differance. I have both kinds, and they both flex. Even my carbon bars flex, with minimal differance.

53-11_alltheway

Nitto makes some Alloy bars that are a touch heavier than the regular stuff. The question is do I try traditional bends in the same weight I use or do I add 75 grams in the form of the Nitto bars.

P.S. I can't really say that bikes I ride flex all that much, but these handlebars are by far the most noticeable to me. Hell, I don't even know if I can sense an BB flex to be honest with you (I bet It's happening though)

forum*rider

My old-school, steel, drop bars on my bianchi have never flexed or bent. Not even in the numerous crashes they have been in.

Of course they weigh all of 2lb(exaggerated estimation...) so they are quite a bit heavier than the carbon wonder-bars out there now

Patriot

All I can say is, get what you would prefer holding onto for several hours at a time, rather than the utmost lightest thing you can find. Unless of course you are trying to build a sub 15# bike, then every gram counts. It just depends on whether or not you want the ergos, which generally are more comfy in the long term.

forum*rider

IMO the traditional drop bars are pretty comfortable if you have small hands like me.

The longest ride I have done with them is 70miles and my hands were ok.

Patriot

I don't have small hands, and have found the ergo carbon bars I have on my new bike are so superior for me, I will never go back to the old style. It is all personal taste, and individual comfort. It just depends.

53-11_alltheway

The ergo drops are comfy. However my old traditional curve bars were 40's so I never spent too much time in the drops with them.

CF bars are probably the solution to the stiffness problem. Any problems with CF bars?

I heard they are sensitive to certain stems though. Then again there is also the one-piece designs (Cinelli Rams, etc)