Drop bars...what brands do you like?

**greycoral** · 10-01-2008, 07:02 PM

I've been having issues with the fit of my bike, and have been trying out a few different sizes/brands of bars. My bike currently has nothing on it as of this afternoon, and I need to remedy it! What kind of drop bars do you have on your road bike? What do you like about them? Dislike? Anyone use Bontrager Fit VR's? Women specific, with smaller reach/drops.

I've been to about 7 bike shops in the area this week, and can't find anyone who carries my size (38cm) in any type of bar, so I'm going to have to special order some. Just wanted to get some suggestions! I don't need anything too crazy, prefer to keep it under about $75.

**Tokie** · 10-01-2008, 09:16 PM

I have the Bontager drop bars that came stock with my new Trek Madone 4.7. My mechanic thinks they are extra-nice because the curve for the drop is a bit late, leaving a wider flat part to rest your hands on on the flat part of the bars. the drops are shallow with a sort of ergo shape, not a tradition round curved drop. They are 38 cm, and the exact same width as my 38 "Dolce" bars that I had put on my ruby pro after I crashed and broke my expensive carbon bars $$

$$. I really grew to love the traditional round shape of the drops on the Dolce bars, but I think the shallow drop is probably better for me, and the wider flat top of the bar is nice, especially if I want to put clip on aero bars for TT's. I have Salsa "short and shallow" on my bike Friday )ok, not my favorites, and "Deda 4 girls" on another bike, I don't like them at all. good luck!Tokie

**greycoral** · 10-01-2008, 09:30 PM

do you know which model of the bontrager's you have? Is it the FIT VR's? (I think they are, just looked at the Trek website)

I also tried the short and shallow, didn't like em. I also tried some Ritchey bar in that same price range...no good.

**VeloVT** · 10-01-2008, 10:49 PM

I have FSA Wing Pro compact bars. I like them -- the drop is very comfortable. I guess they measure at the drops instead of at the tops though, and there is a bit of a flare, so if you are looking at them you should look at both your normal size and 2cm up.

I really want the Deda Newton shallow classic bar, but it doesn't come in girlish sizes. Poo on Deda.

**uforgot** · 10-02-2008, 02:29 AM

Originally Posted by greycoral

I also tried the short and shallow, didn't like em. I also tried some Ritchey bar in that same price range...no good.

The Ritchey bars are no good? I'm afraid I have to disagree with that. I have the Ritchey biomax bars and I love them. They are designed with a shorter reach (75mm) and drop (130mm).

**7rider** · 10-02-2008, 02:54 AM

Originally Posted by greycoral

I've been having issues with the fit of my bike, and have been trying out a few different sizes/brands of bars. My bike currently has nothing on it as of this afternoon, and I need to remedy it! What kind of drop bars do you have on your road bike? What do you like about them? Dislike? Anyone use Bontrager Fit VR's? Women specific, with smaller reach/drops.

I've been to about 7 bike shops in the area this week, and can't find anyone who carries my size (38cm) in any type of bar, so I'm going to have to special order some. Just wanted to get some suggestions! I don't need anything too crazy, prefer to keep it under about $75.

I really like the Easton EC70 Wings on my bikes. I can't use "women's specific" - they are far too small and cramped for m. I also really like the carbon and the road dampening it provides. I don't think they meet your $75 criteria, but the EA70s might ("A" for alloy, vs. "C" for carbon).

**Andrea** · 10-02-2008, 04:50 AM

I have Ritchey Biomax II bars on my road and CX bikes.

**BleeckerSt_Girl** · 10-02-2008, 04:55 AM

I like the ergonomic short-reach Salsa Poco bars.

And Margo of Luna Cycles uses them a lot on the bikes she builds for women with reach issues.

**SouthernBelle** · 10-02-2008, 05:08 AM

I have the Salsa Pocos which I am happy with.

It's unfortunate You don't have any bars right now. When I decided I wanted to try the Pocos, I put a search with email up on Ebay. It took a couple of months, but I got them for less than 1/2 retail.

Any bar (or saddle or pedal, etc.) you name here will have those who don't like it and those who do. It's always a matter of trial and error.

**Zen** · 10-02-2008, 07:09 AM

Bontrager Fit VR's are very nice.

**Tokie** · 10-02-2008, 07:42 AM

Yep, mine are the bontager fit vr's. Good luck in your search! tokie

**indysteel** · 10-02-2008, 07:49 AM

To the OP: What haven't you liked about the bars you've tried thus far?

**greycoral** · 10-02-2008, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by uforgot

The Ritchey bars are no good? I'm afraid I have to disagree with that.

Originally Posted by indysteel

To the OP: What haven't you liked about the bars you've tried thus far?

Pretty much the ones I've tried just haven't been comfortable to me. It always seemed awkward to ride in the drops, couldn't find a good spot for the hoods, etc. It might just be a matter of fit, still not sure yet. I emailed Bontrager, and they're out of the fit VR's until early November

Perhaps I'll try the salsa poco's since they might be easier to find around here.

**ilima** · 10-02-2008, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by Zen

Bontrager Fit VR's are very nice.

Are they new? I had previously seen a carbon Bontrager Fit VR that was $$$$. I found some Easton EC90s Equipe Pro bend (non-anatomic traditional bend, short n shallow reach like the Fit VRs) on Sierra Trading Post. If I ever crash them good to know about the Bontragers.

Actually, I may get some for my commuter that currently has anatomic bars.

**Zen** · 10-02-2008, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by ilima

Are they new?

Nah.
Stock on my 2007 Pilot

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