Women's handle bars

[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...

[Eden]

I had a set of Ritchey Biomax bars on my old bike, which also have a very shallow drop 130mm and I found them to be somewhat uncomfortable - they were so shallow that I would bang my arms against the tops of the bars in a sprint.
The drop on the handlebars for my Ruby is 142mm and I don't have any problems with them.