drops/brakes

[VeloVT]

I am going to try to illustrate with pictures what everyone has been saying about handlebars. The issue you are having with handlebar reach is associated with the bend shape of the handlebar, not the reach (imagine a vertical line drawn perpendicular to the ground, from the bar top to somewhere at the end of the drop. Now bisect that line with a horizontal, perpendicular to the ground line that extends to the farthest point at the drop bend. The distance of this second line is the "reach" of your bar), or the drop (that's the length of the first line, actually). So "short reach" or "compact drop" bars are not necessarily going to help. To illustrate:

Here is a picture of my old bike, with Ritchey Biomax bars (anatomic bend) and NO SHIMS. The distance between the drop "ramps" and the levers is fairly large.



Here is a picture of my new bike, with the same Biomax bars, with shimmed R700 levers. Notice the distance between the levers and the ramps is a little smaller with the shimmed levers.



Finally, here is a picture of the new bike, but with FSA Wing Pro bars. Notice that with the more traditional bend, the ramp "falls away" from the levers much more gradually, and the levers are much closer.



So, to summarize, shims will make a difference, but it's a smallish difference (though a smallish difference may be all you need). As to your question regarding whether switching bars will help, I think it depends on what you look for in a new set of bars. I think that new bars CAN make a difference for you, but I'm not sure an anatomic bend like the Salso Pocos have is going to do what you want, even if it is "short reach" and/or "compact".

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Even though they are somewhat related, we are actually taking about two different reach issues- the overall reach from seat to hands on bars....and the hand reach around the brake levers. Important to keep these two things distinct, especially when talking to LBS guys.

[elk]

Yes, Liza...I see.

I was looking at the Bontrager bar that Zen has...also Specialized makes a WSD bar.. but Zen's is more compact. I'll check the FSA ones too.

I have those Ritchey Biomax on there now....

Again....though....how would those more compact bars affect riding on the hoods? My fave place.....

oh....and Zen has the Tiagra brifters like mine and hers are shimmed. So it can be done.

thanks

[ilima]

Are those f you who have drop bars able to reach your brakes from the drops?

I can't.....

Yes and no. I have two main positions in the drops. One is the hammer position, where my hands are near the ends of the bars. I cannot reach the brakes from that position.

The other position is a bit higher up, and, yes, I can reach the drops from there. I prefer to be in the drops on descents because I feel I have a lot more braking power vs. on the hoods.

I use a non-anatomic bar; got sick of only having a stub of a place for my hand at the end on my short and shallow bars. Easton EC90 Pro bend. Love them!

[elk]

OK...these are the 3 bars I'm looking at (assuming shims and moving the levers will also help..)
The FSA doesn't come in 38 which I have now...
(and regardless...I decided I don't like the Ritcheys for these reasons and more)

What are your thoughts? I'm kind of drawn to the Dolce....?

in order: Dolce WSD / other Specialized WSD / Bontrager

[VeloVT]

Elk:
The FSA Wing Pro compact DOES come in 38cm -- it's what I have on my bike .

Here's the specs on FSA's website; note that the REGULAR (anatomic, non-compact) Wing Pro starts at 40cm, but the compact is available in 38.
http://road.fullspeedahead.com/fly.a...id=223&pid=196

Not every store stocks the smaller bar, but you can buy them online here (I did):
http://www.masherz.com/products/fsa/wingprocompact.htm

It looks like both of the Specialized bars have anatomic bends, for what it's worth, so they may not put you much closer to the levers than your Biomax bars.

[VeloVT]

Again....though....how would those more compact bars affect riding on the hoods? My fave place.....

The compact drop does not affect riding in the hoods at all. The tops are in exactly the same place as they would be on a bar with deeper drops. You will just not be quite as low when you are in the drops.

A short reach bar, on the other hand, depending on the shape of the bar, will probably bring you back a little when you are on the hoods. The effect is similar to shortening the stem a little, depending on how much difference there is between the old bars and the new ones (this is pretty easy to look up). You probably shouldn't notice much going to a short reach bar though, because I believe the Biomax actually has a shortish reach (doesn't it?)...

[elk]

my stem wants a 26.0 bar...???

[VeloVT]

Hmmm... Elk... it looks like both the Fit and the Dolce both only come in OS diameter too...

if you can't find the perfect 26.0 bar, you could just get a different stem I guess ...

[elk]

this is getting complicated...I love my stem...it is adjustable up and down...hhmmmmm is right!!

[elk]

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqP...jsp?spid=25311

this one is 26 (it's the middle one in my previous post)


just read this on BikeFOrum:

Salsa Poco bars have the shallowest drop of any bars to my knowledge. They also have among the shortest reach, which is the distance from the centerline of the bar to the most forward point on the front of the bar. Short and Shallow bars are the next in line, but have both more reach and more drop than the Poco. The Ritchey BioMax is close to the Short and Shallow.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Elk, if I were you I would just first get shims and put them in. (you said Zen got shims for her identical brifters to yours). It would probably solve your finger reach issue and is the quickest cheapest easiest thing to try first.

[elk]

I will.

I also just found another identical thread and Kathi got these bars which would work...and now I want new bars

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...o+venus&page=2

where do you GET those shims??????????? Or do the shops have them in with the wrenches....

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I will.

I also just found another identical thread and Kathi got these bars which would work...and now I want new bars

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...o+venus&page=2

where do you GET those shims??????????? Or do the shops have them in with the wrenches....

Have you tried perhaps posting a WANTED thread here on TE under ForSale/Wanted forum? I'm sure there are women out there with your same shifters who have not used the shims that come with them....maybe they have your shims sitting in a box in their garage!
You must be sure to specify your exact model of brifter though...and they are Shimano Tiagra, right?....what model #??

Funny note: I googled "Tyiagra shims" by mistake and google asked me if I really meant to search for "Viagra shims"...... =8-D

[elk]

let's talk about me a little longer...

Lisa, Liza et al ;look at these and tell me if you think these will help...(I'm on the hunt for shims)

http://www.modolo.com/1_road_handlebars_temp.php?id=9



i've grown to dislike the look of those x treme ergos like these Ritcheys I have.. and I don't prticlualry find that lenading very comfortable...