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From: Zen Cycle <funkmaster@hotmail.com>
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.tech
Subject: Re: Narrow handlebars
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2024 15:57:23 -0400
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On 4/23/2024 11:30 AM, Roger Merriman wrote:
> Tom Kunich <cyclintom@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> I just watched a podcast from Xyxling about the new trend in nattow bars
>> and they backed ut up with extensice wind tunnel testibng. For those
>> unaware of it, the UCI forbids the use of handlebars wth an outside to
>> outside measurement of less than 36 cm, The nattow bar xcontinegent
>> solves this by strongly tapering the handlebars out to the legal measurement.
>>
>> The wind tunneol findings were shicking and peoplke like Flunkiy who
>> races should pay attention to them. At the lowest xpeed and sitting up in
>> the normal highest racing position there is a savings of 17 watts.
>>
>> In other positions and higher speeds the savings can be as much as 50
>> watts implying that you can gain another 5 kph in some cases.
>>
>> Now, this has no general use since these are very uncomfortable to use.
>> But the racing gains are so high that they equal ALL other aero savings
>> on a bike. They do not seem to have any handling effects once you're used
>> to them but for normal sport bike riders this does suggest that 38 mm
>> norrmal drop bars aer worthwhile.
>>
> 
> I have seen/read reviews of such narrow bars, don’t recall being
> uncomfortable though will by nature be a more extreme position and
> certainly not bike fit right.

I've ridden 38 cm bars almost exclusively since I got serious about 
cycling in the 80's. Anything wider and I feel like I'm riding with a 
drag chute. I can ride with 40's, but I'm more comfortable on 38's

> 
> And yes narrow bars will effect handling, and is reported as such, though
> also noted that it’s not dangerously bad as some might claim.
> 
> It’s for Pro’s possibly worth it, for amateur the benefit over fit/handling
> etc is unlikely to be worth it.

The 'wide bar for better handling' is just a fashion trend imo, 
especially on MTB. I've never seen the need to ride bars wider than my 
shoulders. My Cdale came with 78 cm bars. I had never ridden anything 
over 600 before. I tried it for a few weeks - couldn't get used to it. I 
kept catching trees on tight single track and the longer movements from 
the wider radius to negotiate rocky technical trails took me off the 
bike several times. I cut them down to 60 and it was like riding a 
different (and much better handling) bike. I've had quite a few other 
MTB riders incredulously ask how I can stand riding with such narrow 
bars. I reply 'the same way you can stand riding wider bars'.

> 
> Roger Merriman
> 
> 

-- 
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