Choosing the shape of a road bike handlebar is not taken lightly. This bicycle accessory largely determines the behaviour of the bicycle, but also the riding comfort.
An aluminium road bike handlebar is the most sensible choice from a financial point of view. The most sophisticated models are very lightweight. In addition, aluminium gives the handlebars a certain flexibility, which varies depending on the type of alloy used. There is a wide variety of aluminium alloys with different properties that are used in the manufacture of bicycle handlebars. Generally speaking, 7050 or 7075 aluminium will be more flexible than 6066 aluminium.A carbon bicycle handlebar is extremely lightweight. It is also very rigid. This rigidity contributes to performance, as the handlebar does not deform under the force of pedalling during sprints. Steering is also more precise. Disadvantages of carbon: it can crack in the event of a fall (whereas aluminium deforms), which means that the part has to be replaced for obvious safety reasons.|>
A bicycle handlebar is necessarily associated with a road bike stem.gt;road bike stem. To ensure comfort and a good grip, a bike handlebar tape must be fitted. The road bike shifters must be carefully adjusted to ensure they are at the correct height. Markings are provided on the handlebars to facilitate installation.img src="/mv/img/guide-cintre/Cintre-velo-anatomique-compact-shallow.jpg" alt="Anatomical, compact or shallow bike handlebars" title="Anatomical, compact or shallow bike handlebars" style="float: right;" height="175" width="400" />There are three distinct handlebar shapes. The characteristics of each vary according to two dimensional criteria: the reach and the drop. The reach refers to the horizontal distance between the axis of the handlebar tube attached to the stem and the most forward part of the handlebar. The drop refers to the vertical distance between the axis of the tube attached to the stem and the lowest part of the handlebar (at the end caps). The compact bike handlebar has a reduced drop and reach. This feature allows for quick changes in position on the handlebar. It also allows you to maintain an aerodynamic position with your hands on the inside of the handlebars for as long as possible, reducing fatigue in the arms. Similarly, it facilitates the sprinting position, with the hands at the bottom of the handlebars. The ergonomic handlebars feature a flat area in the curved section. Their reach and drop dimensions are greater than those of compact handlebars. This optimises the cyclist's position for maximum comfort when sprinting, with the hands on the inside of the handlebars. On the downside, hand mobility is somewhat restricted, especially at the ends of the handlebars, where there may not be enough space. The round handlebar, or Shallow, is the "classic" handlebar. It has a very pronounced drop and allows you to adopt a very stretched position on the bike.|>
Choose the dimensions of your road bike handlebars with Materiel-velo.com
Not all road bike handlebar manufacturers use the same methodology to indicate the dimensions of their products. Measurements can be taken from the inside of the handlebar (at the curve) or from the end of the handlebar (at the bar ends). These may be centre-to-centre values, i.e. at the centre of the tube, or external values, i.e. at the outer ends of the tube. For the sake of consistency, Materiel-velo.com indicates the external dimensions of the handlebars at their lowest point (at the level of the caps).Once you have determined the right shape of handlebar for your riding style, you need to choose the right width, which is a key factor for comfort. A handlebar is the right width when, with your hands on the grips, your arms are straight and parallel. Depending on the type of riding, the handlebar height should be set very low (relative to the saddle height) for a road bike, 8 to 12 cm, between 8 and 4 cm for a sports bike and between 0 and 6 cm for a comfort-oriented bike.
