Track bars?
 

So track season is starting up soon and I am trying to finish up my bike. I know you all over on this forum and it seems like many of the track racers hang here too, so...

There are 3 bars I am thinking about. 1 is the cinelli pista alloy bars (they have a wider top, will this create problems on the track), 2 is the deda pista alloy bars (was told these are of better quality than the cinelli's) 3 is the cinelli pista chromo bars. I am a big guy, 250lbs, and have read about flex in the alloy bars. I was wondering what your views on these bars are? I can get the deda and cinelli alloys pretty cheap, the chromo cinelli's I can not. While price isnt the biggest concern, If I can save some cash I would like to... So given these bars what would you get? And if you happen to have and other suggestions please add them...

Also on a side note, these bars will see a tad of street use since I'll be riding to the track...

Any one of those bars will work. I'm not sure about the pricing; it seems like the steel Cinelli bars are cheaper than the aluminum ones, at least at Universal Cycles. Anyways, very big and strong dudes get along fine with aluminum track bars, which are stiffer and stronger than road bars. You should choose the bar based on width, reach and drop that best suits you. All those bars sweep forward enough on top so your wrists won't hit the bar when you sprint on the drops out of the saddle.

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...2&category=721

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...7&category=721

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...1&category=721

Note that the Deda bars are 31.7mm at the stem clamp, and are meant to be used with Deda stems with a 31.7mm clamp, however, you may get away with a stem with 31.8mm clamp.

can't imagine QC tolerance is less than .1mm. iirc the measurement for the bars and stems is a theoretical 31.76mm or some non-exact number. everyone rounds up, deda rounds down. same thing though.

but this could be completely made up.

I wouldn't worry about it. I've got a set of 31.7 Deda CronoNero bullhorns clamped in a 31.8 Thomson with no trouble whatsoever. But we all know I like to live dangerously and fly by the seat of my pants.

Pics?

I have the Deda Akros, aren't they pretty much the exact same thing?

At 250lbs, I'd venture to guess that you might flex aluminum bars during standing starts. Might I suggest that you go for steel (Nitto B123 which is now available with a 31.8 clamp) or carbon sprint bars (like Easton EC90 Track or the PRO Bike Gear Vibe Track)

I concur, with my toothpick biceps.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...F/P1070462.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...F/P1070461.jpg

You can see in the second pic that there's still a tiny bit of room to spare even though the bars are supposedly 31.7 and the stem is 31.8.

They're similar but CronoNeros don't have as much drop and are flat on the tops.

ZOMG. It's alive!

:lol:

those carbon bars are $200-300!! way out of my price range... unless i find the most amazing deal ever or something! I didnt know nitto had a 31.8 bar now, thats pretty cool. the thing is, is i can get the alloy bars for between $40-60... what do you think about the cinelli cromo bars? http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...58bbe5f45eb3e2... how do they compare to the nittos? i can get them cheaper than the nittos too, wich is a plus...

They're a lot cheaper at Universal Cycles >>> http://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...7&category=721

The Nitto bars are new. Came out maybe 6 months ago. $95 at Bens Cycle: http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...ba387eb862cdf8

$100 is a fair price to pay for some race bars. Especially those that are stronger (albeit heavier) than normal. Being a bigger guy, you are going to have to opt for the stronger equipment...and pay the extra few bucks sometimes.

I have no experience with the Cinelli bars. The difference will be the shape. I've always liked the shape of Nitto B123 and the EC90s. But, that's a personal thing. The Cinelli bars when compared to the B123 seem to have a slightly deeper drop and slightly deeper reach by 1-2mm, so essentially the same. The bend may be different.

+1

i was just using bens as the first link i got...

I have already excepted that LOL! I have had to take that into account since I started riding... Actually just about anything I own.

I actually need a little more reach anyway since my frame is a tad too small... I was more wondering if you guys had heard anything about the quality...