Reach & stretch to the bars/hoods.

daniel_b

Chaps,

how reliable is the method of placing your elbow on the edge of the saddle, and if your finger touches the handlebar that indicates a good size?!

My Felt has a 100mm stem, and rather wide bars, around 46CM.

I am considering getting an 80mm stem, and either 40 or 42cm bars - thoughts?

I had the Cinelli Vai's in mind.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/Productdetail.a ... 5360015156

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/Productdetail.a ... 5360015162

Also, any reason why I should choose standard diameter bars, as opposed to oversized?? As in 26mm/31.8mm (I think it is)

Numpty question, but if I changed bars, could I re-use the almost new bar tape on the current bars, or are they affixed in a way that would mean they self destruct if you try and remove them?

I await your wisdom

Cheers

Dan

Gav2000

My 2 road bikes are now set up so that with my elbow at the front of the saddle the bar is about 1" ahead of my finger tips. I have shortened the stems on both bikes as I don't find a bent over position very comfortable. I'd be interested to see if others use the method you suggest but think that most will have a gap of at least a couple of inches to give them a more aerodynamic position. It's all a matter of personal choice though and I am now comfortable on my bikes.

Gav.

daniel_b

Thanks for your reply Gav, really useful to get someone else's take on it.

I think the gap is more like 2 inches, so think a 20mm drop in stem length would get it to around the 1" mark.

Any thoughts on narrower bars, and any opinions/reasons why oversize stem/bar combo's are better than standard??

Cheers

Dan

aracer

Daniel B wrote:

how reliable is the method of placing your elbow on the edge of the saddle, and if your finger touches the handlebar that indicates a good size?!

Completely unreliable - it all depends what is comfortable for you (or the compromise between comfort and aero if you're so inclined), not some arbitrary measurement which takes no account of how other parts of your body vary.

Gav2000

Daniel B wrote:

Any thoughts on narrower bars, and any opinions/reasons why oversize stem/bar combo's are better than standard??

I'm not sure about oversize bars as my ones are only oversized at the centre where they join the stem. They quickly taper to a standard diameter where I hold them. I guess it means there's more contact area with the stem but I'm not sure I really need that as my other bike seems fine without.

I think narrower bars would suit people with narrower chests/shoulders but again I think it's down to taste. Wider bars will give more stability and will allow your chest/shoulders to be more open but I guess make you less aerodynamic. I've never questioned my bar width as I've not had to change them yet and they are both comfortable.

Gav.

daniel_b

Thanks guys,

yeh I don't get the oversizes bars, they seem to be 31.8mm in the middle, and then taper down, to I assume (?) a standard 26mm, so it's not the whole bar, just the section that is clamped.

Is it meant to be an improvement of strength?
is it better for bigger riders to go for an oversize bar/stem combo?

If anyone can shed any light on it.........

Dan

portuguese mike

No, it's not very reliable as aracer said. what you need to do is experiment to find a position you feel comfortable in. Rules of thumb are as good a place as any to start but it usually involves a bit of trial and error. the best thing to do, if you can afford it, is to have a proper bike fit session. Actually it's not that expensive when you think about it, for the cost of a pair of carbon handlebars you get the perfect set up on you're bike which will make a bigger differnce to you're ride comfort and enjoyment than any bit of kit possibly could.

as far as oversize handlebars are concerned they are stiffer than 'normal size' bars as tubes get stiffer their larger the diameter . they are only wider at the middle because thats where the bars are clamped and therefore subjected to the most stress. whether you need the extra stiffenss depends on your size and type of riding, although it won't do any harm to have stiffer bars even if you're a mountain goat.

daniel_b

Thanks all, no i didn't think it was very reliable, hence my '?!' on the end!

Might be of interest, but I found this article on fitment online:

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

smoo

I think it's a really bad guideline as in addition to being unreliable due to differences in bodily proportions, I suspect it tends to underestimate pretty consistently. I have about 3 inches between the end of my fingers and the center of the handlebar. Probably a better dodgy rule of thumb is the one that says you should have the front hub obscured by the handlebars when you look down, when you are riding the bike in a natural position. One version of this says you should be in the drops, another on the hoods, but on my bike I find it's about the same in either position, as when you're in the hoods your hands are slightly further forward with your back straighter and in the drops you are lower with your back more arched, so the view of the hub seems to be about the same.

Bronzie

Daniel B wrote:

Numpty question, but if I changed bars, could I re-use the almost new bar tape on the current bars, or are they affixed in a way that would mean they self destruct if you try and remove them?

You can try but depending on how good the bar tape adhesive is, you may just end up with lots of torn ribbon. If you can get it off without tearing, and it's not too badly deformed where it was wrapped around the brake levers etc, you should be able to re-use - double sided sticky tape can be used if the original adhesive has lost it's tackiness.

daniel_b

Right chaps,

I'm going to try and leave the stem as it is, and just get some narrower bars.

After these now: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... 5360031503

But can't decide between 40cm or 42cm - current ones are 46cm.

Opinions please?

I expect the 42 will do, just worried it won't be enough of a difference.

With regards to tape - is gel tape the way to go?

Thanks

Dan

Anonymous

Daniel B wrote:

Right chaps,

I'm going to try and leave the stem as it is, and just get some narrower bars.

After these now: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... 5360031503

But can't decide between 40cm or 42cm - current ones are 46cm.

Opinions please?

I expect the 42 will do, just worried it won't be enough of a difference.

With regards to tape - is gel tape the way to go?

Thanks

Dan

How are you measuring this width? That's one hell of a wide handlebar.
Centre to centre is the norm but saying that not all manufactures quote this.

Another thing you should watch .You mention getting the Cinelli stem which is not for oversized bars then say you are getting oversized bars.
Make sure the stem and bars are compatible .ie both standard or both oversized.

Monty Dog

The elbow on saddle nose method for reach doesn't take into account the flexibility of the rider and therefore is not very accurate - a riders with good flexibility and strong lower back can manage significantly greater reach than a relative beginner. Like others, the bars obscuring the front hub is a better indication of flexibility - without seeing somebody riding a bike it's very difficult to make a judgement. Oversize bars are only fatter in the middle but do make a difference to torsional stiffness and worth considering if you are a heavier rider. Being able to retape bars is very dependant on the brand of tape - but taping your bars with electrical tape beforehand means it's a lot easier to remove and retape as it doesn't stick so fiercely - but as the tape will be on bare metal, you'll have to be pretty careful. Alternatively, something like Specialized Bar Phat doesn't have any sticky backing and can be reused quite easily.

daniel_b

Anton de Lacey wrote:

Daniel B wrote:

Right chaps,

I'm going to try and leave the stem as it is, and just get some narrower bars.

After these now: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... 5360031503

But can't decide between 40cm or 42cm - current ones are 46cm.

Opinions please?

I expect the 42 will do, just worried it won't be enough of a difference.

With regards to tape - is gel tape the way to go?

Thanks

Dan

How are you measuring this width? That's one hell of a wide handlebar.
Centre to centre is the norm but saying that not all manufactures quote this.

Another thing you should watch .You mention getting the Cinelli stem which is not for oversized bars then say you are getting oversized bars.
Make sure the stem and bars are compatible .ie both standard or both oversized.

I'm measuring it the same way Wiggle told me the Deda was measured, outside edge to outside edge.

Apologies for the confusion - when I started the thread, around a month ago, I wanted to get a shorter stem AND narrower handlebar - as I wanted to get an 80mm stem, I seemed to be limited to ones that would not accept oversized bars.

However, I now think it is the width that is the main issue, as in I am too stretched out, and feel that the 42 should hopefully do the job.

I'm thinking of ordering the Cinelli gel bar tape - any good?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... Bar%20Tape

Thanks

Dan
`

Anonymous

Yes Deda do measure outside to outside I notice after checking their specs(should have done that before) so 42 should be OK .The tape looks fine. Should be at the price

daniel_b

What about this as mentioned by Monty Dog:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... Bar%20Tape

Gimmick, or noticeable difference?

PS - my existing tape is FSA

Anonymous

Don't know personally but Monty Dog knows his stuff.

Monty Dog

The problem with the Bar Phat with the gel underneath is that it's pretty thick - so might be difficult for folks with small hands - it does do the job though, particularly if you plan on riding any cobbles. The normal Specialized gel bar tape is a good compromise - pretty spongy without being too bulky although not as durable as something like the Fi-z-ik stuff.

daniel_b

Cheers Monty dog, and for the pm's.

After much agonising, I decided to go with the normal gel style tape, as am not sure I want that much more bulk around the bar, perhaps I will try the phat tape the time after though - see how I get on with this one this time.

How long do people reckon it will take to undo the old tape, remove the hoods/brakes, fit the new handlebar, re-fit the brakes/hoods, and then re-tape up, an hour or more?

heavymental

Depends how competent you are! 30 mins....an hour...probably 2 for me!

Tip on taping. First....look at the youtube guidance vids to get it right. I don't have a link but if you do a search on the forum it was metnioned recently...under taping tips or something. Secondly. You can use some of the old tape to bulk out sections where you need new padding. Just cut off a section and wrap and tape it where you need it. Works well.

wildmoustache

rmoving the hoods is a bit tricky and time consuming, but only an allen key operation. it is possible that with the shorter distance to their position on the narrower bars, there might be lots of spare gear cable hanging around, but try it as is and see how you get on.

bar tape is easy and satisfying - very similar to tennis racquet but just a tiny bit more tricky as you have to go round the hoods. i finish it off with electrical tape rather than the crap tape that seams to come with most bar tape.

monty is right that f/zik is very durable and in white it amazingly resists dirt. but it is quite thin ... i'm used to this and actually like to feel a bit of the road rather than the overstuffed sofa feel that barphat gives you, but i can imagine others would violently disagree.

daniel_b

Thanks for all the tips and links to guides etc, all very helpful :-)

The order is placed, so fingers crossed will have it by the weekend, my bro will be up on Saturday, and he is a bit more bike mechanically minded than me, so has offered to give me a hand. I'll let you know how I get on!

Thanks again

Dan