How To Select The Right Road Bike Handlebar?

The handlebar is one of the most important components on your road bike. A perfect handlebar can have a big impact on your riding performance. Along with your saddle and pedals, it’s one of the three major contact points and, crucially, it controls your steering and how the bike handles.The best road handlebar for you should offer a comfortable transition between the tops, hoods and drops, and a drop shape you are capable of using effectively.There is a couple of considerations that one needs to take note of when selecting a handlebar; The Width and The Shape and material.

Handlebar Width

Handlebar width is commonly measured from the two centres of the drop and the size ranges from 36cm to 46cm, depending on the rider’s shoulder width and the bikes type.

With a correct handlebar width, the wrists are straight and relaxed; elbows and shoulders are also relaxed; these help to absorb road bumps.An incorrect handlebar width will lead to discomfort and may cause shoulder, back and neck pain.

The bicycle type also affect the handlebars width.For example,Off-road handlebars become increasingly wide in recent years as riders look for increased stability on rough terrain. The same applies on the road, where a broad handlebar slows down steering and can offer stability and confidence to an inexperienced rider, regardless of their size or shoulder width.

Riders looking to take on mixed terrain, rough roads or gravel tracks may also look for a slightly wider handlebar, or one with flared drops (common on gravel bikes).

Many women’s bikes often use narrow handlebars to suit narrow-shouldered riders.More experienced riders, or riders with a naturally slimmer grip, narrow handlebars can offer some benefits. If you find your wrists splay outwards to the brake hoods, you might consider trying a narrower bar.

The Shape of handlebars

Choosing a suitable handlebar shape is usually down to personal preferences. There are three shapes generally; Classic, Anatomic and Compact.

Classic – Long reach and deep drop. This encourages riders to adopt the hooks position which is more aggressive and aerodynamic.

Anatomic – Designed to fit the anatomy of the hand while in the drop position. This provides comfort and allows riders to ride longer without feeling fatigued or numb.

Compact – Short reach and shallow drop. The shallow drop allows riders to ride comfortably on the drop.

Drop and reach were usually deep and long, the idea being that the more stretched out you were, the faster you’d go.This more ergonomically considered hardware, especially when paired with ‘endurance’ bike geometry.

For those interested in riding fast (or with a little less effort), wind tunnel testing has shown that riding on the hoods with your elbows bent and horizontal forearms is similarly aerodynamic or, in some cases, even more so than using deep drops.

As we’ve seen in time trials, the goal is no longer to simply get as low as possible, but to get into a compact and sustainable position that allows you to keep you head in line with your torso. This is why we see some of the fastest riders in the world with a healthy amount of stack height on their handlebars nowadays.

Handlebars materials

There are 2 materials applied to Carbon handlebars and aluminium handlebars.

Carbon handlebars are becoming an increasingly common sight on high-end road bikes. It’s easy to see why in some senses. As well as undoubtedly looking cool, carbon can be moulded into whatever shape a manufacturer likes and it also has the potential to shave off a little weight. Carbon also naturally dampens vibrations, so it can be a more comfortable option.

An aluminium handlebar can save cost,take top aerodynamically features.

How to select your road bike handlebars

Road bike handlebars can dramatically affect your comfort and control on the bike.

Most riders will likely be better off with compact bars and a longer stem rather than a shorter stem with a bar with long reach and deep drops. Opting for the former gives easy access to the controls when riding on the tops, as well as improved bike handling, a good torso posture, and easy access to the brake levers when riding in the drops.

If you’re new to road cycling, start with a bar that’s slightly wider than your shoulders, then aim to get narrower as your skills improve.

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