The perfect classic bend handlebar...
#1
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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?
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?
#3
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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.
- 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.
#7
Former Hoarder

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From: Portland & Yachats, OR
Bikes: Steve Rex, Seven Axiom, Felt Z1, Dave Moulton Fuso
#8
or tarckeemoon, depending
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Nitto 115! The only downside is the 25.4mm clamp.
#10
SilentRider
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From: Upstate NY
Bikes: Trek Madone SLR 7, Giant TCR Advanced Pro, Trek Domane SLR, Trek Emonda SLR Project One (x2), custom Bingham Built Titanium road bike
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!
Grahny, that tape on the Cervelo .. leather? Nice setup!
#11
or tarckeemoon, depending
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From: the pesto of cities
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#12
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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...
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...
#16
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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.
#17
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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.
#18
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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.
#19
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From: Berlin
Bikes: Canyon Ultimate CF, Moto LeChamp SL, Raleigh Rush Hour, Crescent MTB, Swedish Army issue bike
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.
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.
even if they are carbon, these might turn out to be perfect in shape, if a bit radical:

#20
Unique Vintage Steel



Joined: May 2005
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From: Allen, TX
Bikes: Kirk Frameworks JKS-C, Serotta Nova, Gazelle AB-Frame, Fuji Team Issue, Surly Straggler
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.
#21
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From: England
Anyone tried the Modolo Curvissima, not a classic curve but worth a look if you like shallower drops.
https://www.la-vuelta.com/veloidealPA...RES_MODOLO.htm
https://www.la-vuelta.com/veloidealPA...RES_MODOLO.htm
#22
Unique Vintage Steel



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From: Allen, TX
Bikes: Kirk Frameworks JKS-C, Serotta Nova, Gazelle AB-Frame, Fuji Team Issue, Surly Straggler
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.
#23











