To oversize or not to oversize

[Rudy]

Any reason why one should get the oversize stem/bar ? as suppose to the standard 26 mm bar?

By going oversize, you add more weights, not to mention more costly parts...this sounds like another cycling industry hype.

I like to hear some thoughts on this subject as I'm building up a new bike.

Thx

[boudreaux]

Originally posted by Rudy
Any reason why one should get the oversize stem/bar ? as suppose to the standard 26 mm bar?

By going oversize, you add more weights, not to mention more costly parts...this sounds like another cycling industry hype.

I like to hear some thoughts on this subject as I'm building up a new bike.

Thx More stiff.If you don't need it save yer money.

[dhk]

I'm going with the OS on my new bike. Not much additional cost in the build kit. Stiffer and stronger on the bar and stem is worth a few bucks and grams to me, since I tend to pull on the bars pretty hard when climbing and don't like flexing or creaking.

In addition, the bar and stem are two critical parts that I don't want to fail. OS should provide more strength and life. But
I'm sure the standard size is fine also as long as you go with a high quality brand.

Actually, I'd say the industry hype is not for OS, but in the usually in the opposite direction...convince buyers they need the lightest items possible, and don't worry about the fatigue life down the road. I did look at the Easton EC-90 carbon bars. According to the company info, they have virtually unlimited fatigue life, and weigh about 200 grams or less. A great bar, with the carbon flash, but about double what the Ritchey WCS OS costs. Went with the Ritchey stem too; again seems to be a strong piece.

No doubt some tough decisions on the components; I certainly don't have the answers for you. Good luck...enjoy spending the dollars on the option sheets. I went a bit overboard a first, ala Record and all carbon components....then sharpened the pencil when the bottom line rang up!

Dan

[daveornee]

Originally posted by Rudy
Any reason why one should get the oversize stem/bar ? as suppose to the standard 26 mm bar?

By going oversize, you add more weights, not to mention more costly parts...this sounds like another cycling industry hype.

I like to hear some thoughts on this subject as I'm building up a new bike.

Thx
Stiffer and the oversize dimension will be same for Road and Mountain. This could save money for manufacturers and should allow more choices for consumers.
At present there are some close-out deals on stems and bars in the 26 mm diameter road products.
I haven't gone with OS yet, but I see it for the future.
Right now it helped me get some nice "out-moded" Ritchey road bars in 46 cm center-to-center for my road, touring, and tandems.

[Rudy]

Originally posted by dhk
I'm going with the OS on my new bike. Not much additional cost in the build kit. Stiffer and stronger on the bar and stem is worth a few bucks and grams to me, since I tend to pull on the bars pretty hard when climbing and don't like flexing or creaking.

In addition, the bar and stem are two critical parts that I don't want to fail. OS should provide more strength and life. But
I'm sure the standard size is fine also as long as you go with a high quality brand.

Actually, I'd say the industry hype is not for OS, but in the usually in the opposite direction...convince buyers they need the lightest items possible, and don't worry about the fatigue life down the road. I did look at the Easton EC-90 carbon bars. According to the company info, they have virtually unlimited fatigue life, and weigh about 200 grams or less. A great bar, with the carbon flash, but about double what the Ritchey WCS OS costs. Went with the Ritchey stem too; again seems to be a strong piece.

No doubt some tough decisions on the components; I certainly don't have the answers for you. Good luck...enjoy spending the dollars on the option sheets. I went a bit overboard a first, ala Record and all carbon components....then sharpened the pencil when the bottom line rang up!

Dan


OMG I'm thinking along side with ya...I'm looking at the Ritchey WCS stem and bar as well but not sure if I need to go OS or not. I see what you mean about the strength when you pull on the bar out of the saddle.
Again, for the money and stats on paper, the Ritchey seem like a good deal. what about ITM lillenium stem?

[Rudy]

BTW...just to mention about the weight issue when you go OS. I intend to put an aerobar on the bike, thus with an OS bar, it would need adapters...hence more weights.

[boudreaux]

Originally posted by daveornee
Stiffer and the oversize dimension will be same for Road and Mountain. This could save money for manufacturers and should allow more choices for consumers. Standard MTB is 25.5,and there is already as OS of 28.6,so there is yet ANOTHER one for MTB??

[davidbod]

I went with a Deda Newton OS bar/stem and realy like it. Apart from what has already been mentioned about the stiffness, I like the extra thickness on the bar near the stem when I ride with my hands in that position. It just gives that little extra difference in feel for your hands which can be a blessing on realy long rides. My bar is only thicker for about a hands width to either side of the stem and then it tapers to normal thickness.

[lokstah]

Originally posted by boudreaux
Standard MTB is 25.5,and there is already as OS of 28.6,so there is yet ANOTHER one for MTB??
'Fraid so. It's true. They're on the way.

31.8mm will shortly be the new universal OS standard; it's only a matter of time before 26mm road bars and 25mm mtb bars are extinct. I don't know what will happen to the 28.6mm bars out there. Be converted to plumbing, maybe.

Titec has a notable entry (http://www.titec.com/items.asp?deptid=1&itemid=121).

[dhk]

Originally posted by Rudy
OMG I'm thinking along side with ya...I'm looking at the Ritchey WCS stem and bar as well but not sure if I need to go OS or not. I see what you mean about the strength when you pull on the bar out of the saddle.
Again, for the money and stats on paper, the Ritchey seem like a good deal. what about ITM lillenium stem?

Did look at the ITM, but since I'm getting an american bike, decided to go with good american components wherever possible: FSA, Ritchey, Thomson, Velomax.....and Shimano.

Dan