Advice on handlebars...

[anablanco]

I recently got into a wreck and kinked my handlebars. I've been looking for handlebars at the local bike shops around town and no one seems to have women specific bars or bars small enough for me to use. I measure between 36 and 38 cm. I guess I need to get them online. Any suggestions on what handlebars work better for women? What's a good online store where I can purchase them? Thanks!

[Eden]

A good bike shop should offer to order you some.... The brands they carry often *have* a 36 even if the shop doesn't regularly stock it.

What are you looking for?
Inexpensive? - Ritchey does aluminum bars in a 36 that are pretty reasonably priced - the Biomax

Salsa has several bars that come in smaller sizes

Specialized has some bars in smaller sizes too

[anablanco]

I'm looking for moderately priced bars... up to $100. The local bike shops did offer to order some for me but I figured I'd do a little research first.

[Scrappy]

I had 38cm FSA Wing Pro (short reach/shallow drop) installed on my LHT and they are really really nice.

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/135...p=195%20FSAWP4

[indysteel]

I'm between a 36 and a 38, too. I have the FSA Compact Wing Pros in a 38, but prefer my narrower Deda 4 Girls. They're also a 38, but Deda measures outside to outside, rather than center to center.

I had trouble finding the Dedas new and ending up buying them on TE used. You might check out eBay if you decide to go that route. Other brands/styles I considered were the Salsa Poco and Salsa Short and Shallow, and the Biomax. The Dedas, however, were about as narrow as I found.

[malaholic]

As Indysteel mentioned, be sure to check whether the width measurements listed are center to center, or end to end. I had been using a Ritchey bar that was a 38 center to center. When I ordered my 3T bars for the new bike, I ordered a 38 as well and the package was marked as a 38, but I could tell after ther first ride that they were narrower. Turns out those were measured end-to-end; they are really only a 36 center-to-center.

ETA: the 3T Ergonova bars I mentioned are also a great short reach/shallow drop style, if you like the flatter top (I do). The Ergonova Pro would be within your price range at MSRP.

[tzvia]

I second the Ergonova bars from 3T. I love mine (but I got the carbon version). Some 'ergo' bars have a bump at the bottom of the drop- those drive me crazy- they hurt my palms. The 3T has no such wonky wiggle, just a nice gentle sweep from the levers. My second choice was the FSA Wing pro and it was a close call between the two. When I found the 3T on sale, I bought that one.

[indysteel]

I like the looks of those Ergonova bars. I'm not sure how I missed them when I was on my bar hunt. I might have to try them out if and when I'm in the market again.

Edited to add: 3T's website says that they measure bar width center to center. Several retailers, e.g., Competitive Cyclist, states the same. At least one retailer, however, indicates just the contrary. Weird.