Women's handle bars

[missymaya]

Hey ya'll,
I'm getting a new bike and I'm looking for a set of women's specific handlebars, carbon fiber preferably. The handlebars I have on my current bike are far too big shoulder width wise and grip wise. I plan on doing some competitive rides with this bike so I would like handlebars that would compliment that. I've been looking and just can't find what I'm looking for (maybe I'm not doing the right searches ). Any suggestions? Thanks

[Eden]

The Specialized carbon handlebars that came on my Ruby are quite nice and you can get them separate. Many of my teammates favor FSA K-Wing bars, but if you need a smaller size than 40cm then they will be too big for you. Ritchey also makes some smaller (38cm) carbon bars that look quite nice (I've used their alu bars and liked them).

www.specialized.com
www.fullspeedahead.com
www.ritcheylogic.com

if you are looking for a carbon bar that has an "ergo-bend" in it, then I don't think you'll have any luck. Carbon just doesn't like to be formed into shapes like that I think.

[Artisan]

I had trouble finding bars when I was looking too and the ladies here directed me in the right direction.

I purchased the Richey Carbon Evolution and I am very happy with them. The 38cm bars have a 75mm reach. The drop is not as deep as some other bars, not sure if that will effect your aero position. I race and I don't mind the moderate drop, I prefer it.

[SouthernBelle]

Again not carbon, but I love my Salso Pocos. 38cm. Shorter drop.

[Ninabike]

Bontrager makes carbon ergo bend bars in small sizes - as narrow as 36 cm with short reach and drop. The model is "Race x Lite OS. I don't know how to post a link, but just go the Bontrager site, road handlebars. I have that handlebar in a 40cm.

[spokewench]

The girls hooked you up with what is available out there in less than a 38 size. It is one of my pet peeves that the really nice manufacturers of carbon handlebars don't make them in smaller sizes. I talked to a manufacturer that I will not name here a few years ago when I was outfitting my race bike and they assured me that they would come out with a carbon bar in small sizes the next year. They did not and have not. When I went to Interbike last year, they still did not have them so I was *****ing about it and my husband got mad at me cause he thinks I'm crazy sometimes. But, What the Hey, if you can't supply to all the users of bike gear (i.e. women and smaller men) then I don't have to give you my business do i?

[missymaya]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I know my LBS will help fit me with the appropriate handlebars, I just want a one up so I know what I want and I can get my bike!! Thanks for the input again!!

[sklarewc]

I had finally decided to spring for carbon bars--I need 38 cm, too, and had been drooling over the Ritchey evolutions--but then I read a bunch of posts on a different forum that said (1) their dampening ability is far less than one might expect and (2) they are susceptible to cracking or breaking (or "snapping like a twig" in one post) and you have to be really careful when transporting them, not to mention when leaning them up against the wall. But I know there's always a couple of naysayers on these forums, so I take some of what I've been reading w/ a grain of salt. And carbon bars sound so appealing--my shoulders & wrists are always the parts that hurt the most after about mile 50. On the other hand, I'm about to shorten my stem--I think that's why I have shoulder pain.
To those of you who have carbon bars, what's the story? Are they worth it? Any problems w/ durability?

[RoseC]

Again not carbon, but I love my Salso Pocos. 38cm. Shorter drop.

Hijacking the thread a bit...I think these are what I'm ending up with - my new bike came with rather wide bars, but the bike shop was going to order me some 38cm drops, Salsa brand, and they said they were shallower than most drops. I don't remember the exact model.

Can't wait to try 'em!

[sklarewc]

Actually, Salsa just started making their popular Short & Shallow and Poco models in carbon this Spring. Is that what you're getting? The alu version was what I was considering, if I don't go for the Ritchey Evos.

[RoseC]

Actually, Salsa just started making their popular Short & Shallow and Poco models in carbon this Spring. Is that what you're getting? The alu version was what I was considering, if I don't go for the Ritchey Evos.

I'm not getting carbon - just regular alu. I just dropped a huge chunk of change (for me, anyhow!) on the bike itself, so carbon anything is out for awhile. But it'll be really neat to have bars that are just my size! A fitted bike in general is a totally new experience for me, and very exciting.

[michelem]

The handlebars that come on the Specialized Ruby Pro are these:

Specifically designed for smaller hands, the Ruby SL is ergonomic for an improved fit. Made from FACT advanced composite weave, which combines high strength and stiffness makes this an incredibly comfortable handlebar.


3k SL high modulus FACT advanced composite weave combines high strength and stiffness with excellent comfort
Two-cable groove for Shimano or Campagnolo
Ergonomic top section perch offers improved fit and comfort
Top section perch custom tuned for hand size
Oversized 31.8mm clamp diameter
Short lever reach drops specifically designed for smaller hands
Superior wrist clearance in drops
Graduation lines on drops makes balanced lever installation a breeze
Natural matte carbon finish
Weight: 220g (42cm)
Available in 3 sizes: 38cm / 40cm / 42cm center-to-center
Dimensions:

Drop: 142mm

Reach: 75mm

$250.00
Select Size here... 31.8mm x 38cm 31.8mm x 40cm 31.8mm x 42cm

[Grog]

Following another girl in my club and the advice of our beloved mechanics, I got FSA Wing Pro Compact shallow bars in 38cm.

The reach is rather short and they are indeed shallow, which makes them a charm for my petite frame. Highly recommended. And quite light, despite not being carbon. I love the flat tops, too.

[sklarewc]

Where did you find those FSA bars in 38 cm? I've googled them, and every store that has them seems to only have 40 cm or bigger.
They look cool, but they seem VERY short in the drop--125 mm as compared with Salsa Poco's 140 or the Short & Shallow's 144. That's not a problem? How small are you?

[Grog]

I got them from my bike shop in Vancouver (Mighty Riders). He had them in stock. I think they are the "compact" version. Ask your bike shop, maybe they can be ordered? It looks like the only model that actually comes in a 38 I think in FSA bars.

I am not particularly short (besides being 5'4", longish legs and shortish torso but not terribly so) and I have very long fingers so I never felt uncomfortable reaching the brakes of my previous handlebars, which were medium-sized regular bars. However the drops position now is REALLY incredibly better on the flats now. I still have to get used to the downhills but I've been hitting the same speeds as before and I don't feel unstable, just different. Now when I go in the drops I can really bend my elbows and take a much more powerful position, while still being confortable.

I have a 10cm stem though. We chose the bars with the very short reach so that I could save myself from also changing my stem to a shorter one. I might flip my stem to lower the handlebars by a tiny bit though.

I will revisit the person who made my fit on the bike before we changed the bars soon and try to remember to keep you posted...