Oversize or not oversize? That is the question

PeteinSQ

I'm planning on getting some new bars and a new stem for my road bike.

What are the advantages of oversized bars? Why should I consider getting them?

Smokin Joe

Supposedly stiffer, but having both I can't tell the difference.

Probably worth getting as oversize seems to be the new "standard size", and some online retailers don't seem to stock much in 26mm anymore.

APIII

Conversely, because oversize is the fashion, you can pick up some good deals on 26mm bars. BTW, I believe that oversize doesn't make any difference to the stiffness of carbon bars, only alu, but maybe someone with a bit more engineering nouse than me can clarify that.

crankycrank

I've used both and I think oversize doesn't necessarily mean stiffer. Each brand/model is different. The main advantage that I can see with the OS is it gives you a larger clamp circumference for a more secure grip. Not that 26mm isn't strong enough but some riders tend to use alot of force on their bars and with cheaper, weaker stems the bars can rotate.

PeteinSQ

Sounds like oversize is the way to go then. Especially if there are no negatives attached to it. I'm going to get the stem and bars from Planet-X.

PeteinSQ

This article makes me think oversize would be an error..?

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/g ... etto-21606

at the bottom of the article;

""The difference is fashion vs. performance," he said. "Oval Concepts make all of our bars available in 31.8 and 26.0 – the market demands it, so we do it. For mountain bikes it makes some sense and it looks good – going 25kmh. For road bikes it is a bad idea [and] for TT/triathlon bikes it is really ridiculous.""

cougie

Never seen the point myself - I've never thought I'd ride better if only my bars werent like wet pasta.....

Plus if you go for tribars or spinacis etc - you need different ones for different bar diameters. Hence all my kit is normal size.

Gav2000

PeteinSQ wrote:

Sounds like oversize is the way to go then. Especially if there are no negatives attached to it. I'm going to get the stem and bars from Planet-X.

I have those on the bike I've just built, for the price the weight was the lowest I could find. I'm 85kg so not small and they seem stiff enough for me.

Gav.