Favorite Handlebars?

[rhiannon008]

Hi!

I just purchased a new cervelo r3, but I need to swap out the handlebars ,40cm FSA SLK Carbon (anyone interested in them, PM me). I need opinions on which bar to use as its replacement. The fact that I need an 31.8 OS 38cm bar, and prefer a more classic/ergo shape with a short reach seems to limit my choices. I actually prefer alloy bars, but I am totally willing to consider carbon if the feedback I get on them is really positive. I have been looking at the Bontrager Fit VR, as well as the FSA Wing Pro Compact online. From what I can tell, their shape seems pretty nice, and the weight is fairly decent. Unfortunately, I have not been able to ride, or even see either bar up close. I would really appreciate any imput from smaller riders, or anyone who uses a handlebar that offers a 38cm size.

Thanks~

Rhiannon

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I went from a Nitto Noodle road drop bar to a Salsa Poco bar recently. I wanted shorten my reach, which it did by 2cm.
I LOVE this bar! It not only brought my reach back but it eliminated 75% of the elbow pain I was having in one elbow. I love the ergo bumps too (though some people don't like ergo bumps). It is a slightly shorter reach than the Salsa "Short n Shallow" bars too. (read the specs on the link below)
Comes in size 38 and also comes in either black aluminum or carbon. I got the alum. because I didn't want to have to change my stem too, plus it was cheaper.

Here's the Salsa site, but you can also shop around online for the best price once you decide what you want. I paid $50 for my alum. Poco bars.
http://www.salsacycles.com/handlebars.html

LunaCycles uses these bars standard for their women's bikes. All they make are women's bikes for the past 12 years. So I figured they should know something!
I can't say enough good things about the Pocos.

[SouthernBelle]

I love my pocos too. But I don't think they come in a 31.8

[ehirsch83]

I am curious as to the reason why you prefer alloy bars over carbon. I have found that anything with aluminum echos the road vibrations versus carbon which dampens it. Definitaly curious to find out others reasons for liking the alloy!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Like I said, I didn't get the carbon only because the alloy bar was cheaper and because I would have had to get a whole new stem as well. Would have cost me about $100 more overall! So I got the alum alloy Poco bars.
Carbon bars have a thicker diameter where they sit in the stem than aluminum 26mm diameter bars. Carbon bars need stems made for carbon bar diameter.

[rhiannon008]

I also prefer the alloy because the price is right, and the weights are pretty comparable for the size that I need. I also plan on eventually racing, and I am concerned that a crash could cause $200 carbon bars to fail in a major way. Personally, the most comfortable bars that I ever used were OEM bars from a Giant that my bike fitter swapped for my Deda 215 Shallows. Unfortunately, I can't find them in an OS model to fit the stem that came with my new Cervelo, and I am wary of using a shim in my current stem.

~Rhiannon

[ehirsch83]

Rhiannon- On the crash aspect, you get a warranty when you buy bars,through most companies, and they are covered in a crash(so are wheels,frames,etc)

[emily_in_nc]

<raising hand>

Another very happy Salsa Poco 38cm bar user here (alloy version).

Emily

[rhiannon008]

I am sure carbon is a perfectly suitable handlebar material for alot of riders, but I have always been satisfied with the performance and value of alloy. On a full carbon frameset, I think some gel tape and my favorite Bontrager Buzzkill handlebar plugs should work nicely for me. I do wish the Salsa came in a 31.8 for me to try (nice drop and reach numbers), but I don't want the additonal expense of replacing my stem. Thanks for the suggestions thus far, and keep them coming!

~Rhiannon

[SouthernBelle]

Does the Salsa Short n Shallow come in a 31?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Does the Salsa Short n Shallow come in a 31?

Look on the Salsa website for which I included a link above.

[HillSlugger]

The website says yes for 31.8. I think that's what I just switched to. Haven't used them enough to state an opinion.

[dex]

I have the Bontrager FIT VR bar and I love it, though I am definitely not narrow through the shoulders--mine are 42cm, and quite honestly I could probably go up to a 44. (I'm kind of ridiculously broad-shouldered for a 5'4" girl/lady/woman/whatever.)

I wanted these because of the tight drops and lack of ergo bump, and I definitely wasn't disappointed. My last handlebar (I don't remember the model) had the ergo bump, and that was never comfortable for me--it never seemed to matter where I positioned my hands, they just always felt awkward and I've never had that issue since making the switch.

[Beane]

is the ergo bump the bump on the diagonally down/drop part-- to fit in your palm? or is it in the shape of the actual bar? (sorry if that makes no sense...)

[SouthernBelle]

Look on the Salsa website for which I included a link above.


I was too lazy to do that myself. :p

& yes beane, it's that bump in the drops.

Ritchey has several smaller bars too.

[ilima]

You don't need to swap out your handlebars, your shop needs to do this!!

I'm appalled that you have dropped, what, $4K on a bike and your shop won't get your bars right. When I bought a pricey bike from my LBS the owner told be straight-up that he would swap out the stem or bars if I needed it --gratis. It's all part of the getting things right. Compared to the cost of your bike, handlebars, especially alloy ones, we're talking peanuts here.

Also, I did swap out the saddle for a more expensive one before taking it out of the shop. He credited me full retail for the cost of the saddle before charging me for the pricier one.

Please, please go back to your LBS and have them swap out the handlebars. If you switch to alloy from carbon, ask for a store credit for the difference. There is no reason you should be worrying about selling the bars that came on your bike and buying a new set. Let your LBS show you what customer service is all about.

[rhiannon008]

I appreciate your response and you have a great point! However, I bought the bike online from a certified Cervelo shop for 1,500 less than retail. Their policy is not to swap components for retail to retail value. Rather, they said they will order whatever components I need changed at wholesale prices. I don't mind selling the parts myself, because in the end I will actually be saving myself a bit of cash, both on the overall cost of the bike, as well as the components bought and sold. (if all of that makes sense) Trust me, I have done alot of research, and though a bit inconvenient, it is the most cost effective solution compared to the offers made by the Cervelo dealers in Colorado (yes, I have contacted them all).

So to return to my original question, anyone have a favorite compact, small drop and shorter reach, style bar (non-anatomic) either alloy or carbon that comes in a 38cm c-c size?

~Rhiannon

[ilima]

Ah, makes sense now.

ITM's Elle is an alloy bar. Comes in 38 c-c and 31.8.

Someone in Richmond is even trying to sell one.
http://richmond.craigslist.org/bik/416431091.html

Specialized Dolce is a woman's specific alloy bar that comes in 31.8 and 38cm. The center part of the bar is supposed to hep dampen vibrations.

Word of caution about short-n-shallow bars: you might not have enough room for your hand in the full-drop position. That's my main annoyance with this type of bar.

[ilima]

Just caught the non-anatomic. I think you are going to have a hard time finding a 38cm non-anatomic bar. Seems to be the case for all the 'chick' bars. I'm lucky as I take a 42cm so can find just about any bar in that size.

[DirtDiva]

These (http://www.grammo-bici.it/index.php?pageid=6&product_id=24&brand_id=2) came on my bike. The website says they're anatomic, but they don't have that bump or flat spot that other anatomic bars have. :confused:

When I look more closely, it appears they don't have a US distributor. :(

[rhiannon008]

It's a shame that I can't find those bars here! They seem to be the shape and width I am intersted in. For curiosity's sake, what bike did these come on?

Thanks,

~Rhiannon

[dex]

Those look pretty similar in shape to the Bontrager FIT to me.

[DirtDiva]

One o' these (http://www.geniusbikes.com/bikes.php?module=bikes&bikes_id=9#), from Genius, a newish Kiwi company.

[pll]

I have Specialized Dolce Ergo Alloy bar (38cm) in my bike. They come with the 31.8mm clamp you look for. I bought them right off the Specialized web site. They seem to run out of stock quite frequently (I just looked), so keep watching them -- if my experience provides any guidance, they restock within 1-2 weeks.

They have a 132mm drop (the Poco has 140mm) and 75mm reach (the Poco has 70mm). Unlike the picture on the Specialized site, they came to in matte black, not silver.

[rhiannon008]

Hey all!

I think my handlebar search is finally over! In wondering around a LBS tonight, I came across a bar I had not before considered, the Bontrager Race Lite OS in a VR bend. The shape was super comfy (smooth transiton area from hoods to drops) despite its slightly deeper drop and reach numbers. This bar is almost as light as the carbon FSA's I am replacing, and much more affordable than the carbon bars that had been on my short list. For anyone interested, I think you can see these bars on many models of LeMond and Trek bikes. Thanks for all of the suggestions and advice!


~Rhiannon