I have an 88 Bianchi Pista frameset on the way that I'm looking to build up as my main ride. I'm going gaga over all the parts I have to buy and will be using. My main problem is trying to decide what handlebars I'd like to use. The anal retentive part of me would like to keep the bike is truly Italian as possible. At first I thought I'd like to use regular track bars, then I thought I'd like bullhorns, then I thought about trying out a set of Cinelli Tempos. I'll be running front and rear brakes, and have tinkered with so many different bar/lever combination ideas that it's making me dizzy. So now I'm seeking input from anyone who has 2 cents to chip in. If you were in my position, what bars would you go with and why?

You're in a big town. Hit CL, and buy them all. You'll appreciate them all for different reasons.

Id say Drops (non Anatomic) with a nice short curving stem like a 3t Mutant, Cinelli Groove or Deda Zero.
Cuz it just looks sexy,
if using crosslevers I think they look better on drop bars than Bulls,
Id try to keep it mostly Ital as well.

use bullhorns, I have them all, risers, anatomic, nonanatomic drops track drops, and horns. The most comfortable for street riding is the risers then bullhorns. The worst is the track drops (as the top poriton has very little flat). Non-anatomic drops are good if you run aero-brakes, but kinda useless for everyday riding. Anatomic drops are just lame on such a nice older bike

as lame as it sounds, slightly chopped risers with nice soft grips are just soo nice to ride with!

I'm starting to lean towards drops. I'm definitely not a fan or risers, or flatbars. And considering I do prefer my hands positioned on the tops of drop bars, cross levers don't seem like a bad idea at all. I've been thinking I'd like bullhorns for the aggressive position they'd allow, but it seems less important to me now.

I recommend road or crit drops or bullhorns for the most comfort. I'd avoid track drops, risers, or straight bars, personally.

It depends on how you will be using this bike, no?
For city riding, I can't recommend bullhorns enough. You don't often need to get REALLY aero, but you do need to be a little upright for a better view. You can always stretch out on the ends if you hit a headwind.

If you are going to be touring or racing then that obviously calls for different bars.

i like risers in the city.

Hey,

Getting used to a drop is kinda fun. It ain't all that different from bullhorns except there more accessories to play with. Also, somehow it looks classic even if the drop is really wide like mine. I think you can't pull wide bar with other bars without looking stupid.



T

Road drops with Cane Creek levers that look like the Campy stuff if you're going all italian. Very comfy and perfect for climbing.

Someone else mentioned this a while ago; since bars are so easy to swap out and are relatively cheap, why not buy a few kinds and see for yourself. I'm planning on some risers for my work commute since I never occupy the drops anyway, and could use the more upright position, but have drops for the weekends where I will take the bike out for some longer rides where I won;'t have to worry about traffic besides other bikers.