Oversize bars

thiscocks
thiscocks Posts: 549
edited December 2008 in Road beginners
Hi,

Just wondered if anyone knows what is the point of an oversize bar and stem, over the normal 25mm?

Thanks,

Tim

Comments

  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    The larger diameter means they are stiffer - it also introduced standardisation between MTB and road - MTB bars were traditionally 25.4mm whereas road bars were 26.0mm and before 26.4mm. Manufacturers now only need to make a single range of stems which helps reduce production and distribution costs.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • thiscocks
    thiscocks Posts: 549
    Interesting, cheers.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Marketing is my bet.

    I've never noticed my bars flexing on my normal sizing.
  • akcc05
    akcc05 Posts: 336
    Swiss company Oval Concepts (as used by evans & co silence-lotto and garmin-chipotle last season) has gone back to making a lot of standard bars and stems, for their road stuff at least, not sure about MTB. it seems logical in my opinion as most users here said there is no noticeable difference in stiffness even in sprints. what i realize is that smaller diameter does give is a lower overall weight for the bar/stem combo, i think up to 80-100g saving.

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