OS Handlebars

Jay Beattie said:

Are the 31.8 handlebars a better idea?

No. Hypothetically, the thicker center section offers
superior stiffness to a 25.4/26.0/26.4mm bar. But all the
readily available drop bars in the fatter size are very
lightweight and double grooved, so they'll flop around just
as impotently as any other very lightweight, double grooved
bar. What tiny amount of stiffness you may gain will not be
worth the sacrifice in interchangeability and compatibility
with clamp-on accessories.

Quoted message said:

Any bar recommendations for a 200lb rider?

Something with a round cross section. All else equal, a round-
tubed bar will offer better stiffness, strength, and
durability than a grooved bar.

Quoted message said:

Lastly but not leastly, what is the convention for width.
I have used 42s (mostly) and 44s for years, but have never
selected a bar scientifically.

There is no science to it; the drop bar itself is the result
of a confluence of tradition, superstition, and misguided
conventional wisdom. Use whatever width you like best, or
use a proper handlebar like most of the world's bicyclists
and all its motorcyclists.

Chalo Colina

Quoted message said:

Are the 31.8 handlebars a better idea? Any bar
recommendations for a 200lb rider? I am starting my
component purchase jihad for my new, replacement bicycle
and am toying with going light.

31.8mm handlebars definitely improve stiffness, although
that's not something too many people complain about in a
road handlebar. However, when you test-ride identical
bikes, one with a 31.8 and another with a 26.0 bar (as we
had the opportunity to do this year, since some of our
earliest '04 models shipped with 26.0 bars until they had
a supply of 31.8s), many will say the 31.8 is a big
improvement. I notice some difference, but not in a way
that would make the ride better or worse and, since a
31.8 bar typically has less clamping area for things like
a handlebar bag, I'll probably stay with 26.0 until at
least after my next trip to France (or until I find a
better way to carry my bulkier, non-pocketable camera).

But when you mention "going light", well, 31.8 has *not*
delivered on the promise of lighter equipment. If anything,
it's usually slightly-heavier.

Quoted message said:

Lastly but not leastly, what is the convention for width.
I have used 42s (mostly) and 44s for years, but have never
selected a bar scientifically. I figure science may help
me now that I am old and slower. -- Jay Beattie.

I usually size a bar 2cm wider than the shoulder blades; back-in-the-
day, we'd go for straight shoulder width. I much prefer a
wider bar, using 44cm for the past several years. When I
raced (back in the mid-70s) I was running 38cm bars on my
crit bike and 40cm on my road. When I try out a bike fitted
with such narrow bars now, they feel just plain wrong! In
general, once you go to a wider bar, I think you'll have a
difficult time going back to something narrower. For me,
climbing & breathing seem enhanced by the wider bar. I say
"seem" enhanced, because I have no scientific proof (nor
have read any) that there's any real benefit. But I figure
if they feel better, why not?

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.comOpen ↗

jbeaghttie-<< Are the 31.8 handlebars a better idea?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

<BR><BR>

Nope, marketing driven.

<< Any bar recommendations for a 200lb rider? >><BR><BR>

Ritchey Pro...WCS also(I use one and I am also .1 offa ton)

As for width, use what ya think is comfy. Put three people
inna room and ask about hbar width, get 4 opinions.

Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535 vecchios.comvecchios.comOpen ↗ "Ruote convenzionali
costruite eccezionalmente bene"

I used 40 to match my shoulders for a couple of years but
when I lost that bike to a car ended up with 44 at the
recommendation of some teammates. Never thought about the
width until I was without a bike and rode my old single-
speed with 40 bars for a few days. At first I thought they
were silly narrow, but that faded in a couple of rides.
Now I find them perfect, and have fitted my new bike with
them. TEHO.

"Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In general, once you go to a wider bar, I think you'll
have a difficult time going back to something narrower.

Quoted message said:

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.comOpen ↗

Jay Beattie said:

Are the 31.8 handlebars a better idea? Any bar
recommendations for a 200lb rider? I am starting my
component purchase jihad for my new, replacement bicycle
and am toying with going light.

The chief advantage of 31.8 handlebars is that several
medical studies have proven that mental gymnastics you will
go through trying to figure out how to fit your favorite
accessories - light, computer, aerobars, clip-on
shaving/cosmetics mirror, etc - will raise your IQ ten
points and delay Alzheimer's by five years or more, even if
you're only 25 when you buy 'em.

Quoted message said:

Lastly but not leastly, what is the convention for width.
I have used 42s (mostly) and 44s for years, but have never
selected a bar scientifically. I figure science may help
me now that I am old and slower. -- Jay Beattie.

There's a rule of thumb that says to match your clavicle
width. By this rule, I should ride 37s, but I like 44s.
Rules of thumb are sometimes better ignored.