Best Road Bike Handlebars – Cinelli Criterium 65 Material: Aluminum Alloy Style: Classic Clamp size: 26mm Width/weight: 40-44cm 280g Features: Drop 128mm; Reach 73 mm What we like about it: Beautiful curves, comfortable geometry. What we don’t like about it: The frosted finish doesn’t look comfortable. This is a favorite among steel frame enthusiasts, with a 26mm diameter stem for mounting threaded Steel. the larger drop makes it look very dominant and allows for better power in the sprint. The smooth curve makes room for the forearm and the expanded elbow is great when climbing uphill, and the metal texture is completely different from other materials.
Unfortunately, the brushed finish doesn’t match most Steels. the polished finish on most handlebars is the way to go in my opinion, and I had to wrap the handlebar tape all over the handlebars, but I think its performance far outweighs these drawbacks. This is a classic handlebar with beautiful curves that you can put on your beautiful steel frame bike to give it both a performance and appearance upgrade.
Road handlebar purchase advice. Handlebar material: carbon fiber and aluminum Road handlebar length and width Road handlebar angle adjustment The choice of road handlebars Road handlebar grip position Selection of road handlebar straps Handlebar material: carbon fiber and aluminum There are millions of handlebars, but there are only carbon fiber and aluminum handlebar materials.
Carbon fiber Carbon fiber handlebars, due to the specificity of the material, have a wider variety of shape changes possible and can make a very aerodynamic flat design and comfortable grip shape. Also, the greater rigidity allows it to stay stiff during strong sprints, and the biggest advantage is that it keeps the overall weight light. However, the disadvantage is that it is expensive and irreparable when damaged, making it extremely costly to repair.
Aluminum The shape of aluminum handlebars will be more single, most of the round tube design, but still can make a good grip angle. Compared with 6061 aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum alloy, which is more rigid than carbon fiber, is more powerful. But in terms of weight, aluminum alloy is always difficult to compare with non-metal materials. However, aluminum alloy material is favored by the majority of cycling enthusiasts for its beautiful price.
The length and width of road handlebars In addition to the saddle, the biggest part that affects the riding experience is the handlebar. Nowadays, major manufacturers provide different handlebars of different lengths and widths for different riding environments and different riders, and there are a variety of handlebar options.
A wide handlebar like the PNW THE COAST HANDLEBAR (up to 520mm wide) provides better leverage for easy handling and helps open up the chest cavity for breathing.
Narrower handlebars like SPECIALIZED EXPERT ALLOY SHALLOW (360mm at the narrowest) provide better aerodynamics while allowing the shoulders and back to expand more, reducing muscle fatigue.
Adjustment of road handlebar angle Road handlebar positions may seem fixed, but they can be adjusted over a wide range. Before you plan to replace your existing handlebar, I suggest you check to see if it is not in the right position. Most handlebars come from the factory in a very bad position.
If you feel uncomfortable, my advice is to put the hexagonal wrench in your pocket, take the handlebar off and go out for a ride, and make adjustments to the position of the handlebars and Shifters as you ride. We recommend that the handlebar ends are parallel to the ground and the brake levers as a whole are perpendicular to the ground, but the exact adjustment will need to be made according to your comfort level. If necessary, you can find a professional mechanic at your nearest bike store to do the Fitting.
Road handlebar selection What if you have adjusted and used the original handlebars, but they still don’t fit? Then you may need to replace the handlebar with a new one. However, there are many types of handlebars on the market, so you need to know how to make a choice.
Take the seventh ZIPP SERVICE COURSE handlebar in the article, for example, the 70/80/88 models offer different drop values and reach, and the geometry of the lower handlebar is also different. This has an important relationship with the rider’s comfort while riding.
If you prefer a more vertical position with your small arms in the lower handlebar, a handlebar with less reach and more drop will suit you better.
If you prefer a bent position with your arms parallel to the ground, then a handlebar with more reach and less drop will suit you better.
Road handlebar grip position A road race is often a long distance and holding the same part of the handlebar for a long time may cause muscle soreness, and each grip position is different for the riding condition: 1) Hoods
1）Hoods Hoods This is the most common and most comfortable grip position, Hoods are also the most suitable for braking and shifting. It is also the most suitable for braking and shifting. In city riding with complicated traffic conditions, this position can quickly respond to braking and shifting.
This handlebar position provides a relatively upright riding position and is also more comfortable when cruising at an even speed. However, this is not as aerodynamic as the Drops position, and wind resistance will be greater.
2) Drops Drops Drops are the most aerodynamic and aggressive riding position, with the body leaning forward with the lower handlebar position to get the best sprint position.
At the same time, this handlebar position is suitable for high-speed downhill, and the leverage principle also makes the braking performance of hand-crush brakes reach the maximum at this time.
3）Tops Tops This is the most relaxed handlebar position, but in actual riding, it is the least easy to control the bike, unable to brake in time, and unstable control is the disadvantage. But this position is very suitable for low speed long distance climbing and leisure slow-speed riding, for these very slow-speed riding, completely can use this position.
The choice of road bike handlebars After choosing the handlebars, you need a pair of comfortable handlebars to provide the most perfect experience. There are many different materials for handlebar straps, so I think you need to understand what kind of strap is the most suitable for you.
Silicone handlebars: durable, sweat-resistant, and shock-absorbing, but non-slip performance decreases when hands are wet, and the weight does not create an advantage.
Sponge material: very sweat-absorbing but the performance is more general, has the worst durability, and can only be used for a short distance as well as a short period.
EVA has cushioning performance, while PU increases texture and durability, complementing each other.
If you want to know the specific details of the product, welcome to our website to provide you with a more detailed review.
Summary Road handlebar upgrades are undoubtedly the best choice to improve the overall comfort of your bike, and you can get a very big change for a very small price. I’m sure you can pick a handlebar that suits your needs in this list.
In this test, we have selected fifteen high-performance road handlebars of different materials and different purposes. From the durable and low-cost aluminum to the high-strength and lightweight carbon fiber, from the very affordable PNW THE COAST HANDLEBAR (only $39) to the high-performance and lightweight Fizik CYRANO 00 (up to $400), from the most modern choker to the classic choker and even the gravel-specific flared choker, there is always one that you are looking for.
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