I almost look forward to riding in bad weather because it means I have a perfect excuse to climb aboard my old Bianchi XL EV2, which currently serves as my rain bike (see Rule #12 for more information on bike requirements). Some bikes just seem to fit, and you feel it with every turn of the pedals. Sure, the frame’s about as soft as George Hincapie at the sight of a cobble stone, but I love the way that bike feels – and I always have. That’s something I really love about hand-built bikes – they all have their unique personality; both my Bianchis are hand-built according to (fundamentally) the same geometry, but somehow the EV2 just fits me like a glove.
One of the things that struck me the last few weeks riding the EV2 is that I really like the feel of round bars. Several years ago, I made the switch to FSA K-Wings for my main bike, believing I would never look at round bars again. Not only did I love the comfort of the wide, flat platform at the tops of the bars, but I loved the scalloped perch they make for the hands when riding on the hoods. Imagine my surprise, then, as it recently began to dawn on me that the round bars on EV2 felt bit better in my hands, especially when climbing – both on the tops and the hoods.
It got me wondering about the peculiar choices that Pros seem to make with regards to their handlebar choice. It’s no secret that many Pros are notoriously finicky about their gear and in some cases refuse to upgrade from trusted pieces equipment to a newer model, especially when it comes to the touch points on their bikes. Lance Armstrong famously refused to ride Shimano’s SPD-R line of pedals after pulling out of a pair during the finale of a World Championship Road Race and, to this day, rides an old model of saddle, the Rule-Breaking Concor Lite (which also happens to be the second-ugliest saddle ever made, with the Selle SMP taking the win on that one). Similarly, Damiano Cunego Tom Boonen both refused to upgrade to the Time RSX line of pedals from their Time Impacts because they preferred the feeling of the metal pedal body on the old Impacts (I have a pair of these and they do, oddly enough, feel quite different from the RSX.)
When it comes to handlebar choice, it seems the majority of riders prefer round bars, and many also prefer a classic drop – not to mention aluminum (*shudder*). You have to search pretty hard for a Pro who rides a K-Wing or Cinelli Ram, and it also seems a minority even use an anatomic bend; most claim that the classic drop provides more hand positions. I am not sure I understand this argument; it seems to me that the classic drop would really only offer more places to build up sore spots on your hands when riding in the drops. Are the round drops better for concealing amphetamines? What am I missing?
That aside, I love the look of the classic bar bend, and as I contemplate switching from my K-Wing to a round bar, I find my mind drifting slowly towards a classic bend as well. After all, if it’s good enough for the Brothers Grimpeur, isn’t it good enough for me?
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When it comes to contact points - saddle, pedals and 'bars - following the pros lead may not be a bad idea. These dudes spend mega miles in the saddle and use what works, not what the marketing department suggests (usually).
My understanding of the heavier aluminum bars is for crash resistance. They want to get up off the tarmac and continue the race after a crash - tough to do with a snapped off carbon bar.
Sure, the team car awaits with a plenty of spares, but you gotta wonder why most pros skip the carbon bars.
@Dan O
Interesting - good point on them using what works, not what is cool. As for the alu bars; as you say, while they've got lots of support, a lot of the time they do just pick themselves up off the tarmac and keep rolling without too much interference from the team - broken bars would definitely be cause to stop and wait for the car.
But that brings me to another subject; I'm not sure I'm following this whole business around "carbon is weak". From what I've understood is it's actually quite a bit stronger (not just lighter) - and less prone to fatigue - than aluminum, just so long as it is built correctly (enough layers, etc). Carbon has the reputation for being brittle and that when it fails, there's no bending or warning, just a sudden catastrophic failure.
But, aluminum exhibits the same properties; you get hairline fractures that aren't visible and over time they grown until they also fail without warning - it's happened to me personally (it comes as quite a surprise when one snaps a handlebar with his formidable Dutch Power), and the last edition of the Rivendell Reader had a piece on the same thing happening to an aluminum crank set.
That said, I don't think I'd be the first dude to jump on a set of carbon wheels before setting off over the stones of Paris-Roubaix.
@Dan following the PRO's lead may be THE problem. They may well spend thousands of kilometres in the saddle, but they are also paid to ride the kit and are as prone to fashion trends/failures as the rest of us.
If PROs are so good at finding the kit that works then why aren't they all riding on virtually identical kit? Physiologically we aren't all that different so why hasn't kit evolved over time into the perfect, physiologically perfect kit? But then how do you explain the return of round bars?
So, the important rule to follow here, is to ensure you look good. Comfort can be sacrificed if you don't have to ride for six hours a day.
As a footnote I grabbed a pair of round bars off the shelf to try the other week. Without riding them, they seemed hideously uncomfortable. But at least they don't look hideous like a lot of the ergonomic bars.
I really like my k-wings except when riding the tops in a standing position as the ovular bar shape is very awkward under hand. That said, riding in a standing position I prefer the hoods or the drops anyway (regardless of bar shape) because those positions afford wider hand position and more leverage. Seated with hands on tops I find to be comfortable enough but not superior to the round bars I have on the ALAN. And now that the ALAN has been returned to a dedicated cyclocross/dirt road steed, I shutter at the idea of putting shaped bars on it. The scallop on the K-wings is money. I also prefer the ergo bend (round or shaped bars) for the natural wrist position it facilitates. Aesthetically I see your point with round bars, practically I have yet to find a round bar I prefer to the K-wings for long days in the saddle. K-wings look sexy too IMO.
@Jarvis
You're coming right in at where I always land on this stuff: a stalemate. We don't get the chance to test gear for hours and hours on end in order to figure out what we like best, but the Pros are more fit, spend more time on their bikes, and - as cyclists - hopelessly rooted in tradition. It's impossible to tell if their lead is a reliable one.
So, I spend days or weeks or months (depending on the size of the investment) thinking over what I will do and eventually just go with whatever hairbrained solution I settled on. Of course, this phase of the product-selection process is my favorite. After that comes the next phase, which is taking new photos of the bike, updating my computer screensaver and wallpapers with it, and congratulating myself on how much better the bike looks while pitying Past Frank who had to suffer through the inferior choices previously made.
Incidentally, I think you may be onto the start of a new Rule: Comfort should be sacrificed for looks.
@Marko
When do you ever stand with your hands on the tops? No power or control. I leave standing for the hoods and the drops only.
On an slightly unrelated note, on a recent ride, I was reminded of Pantani's monster climbing style where he would climb out of the saddle while staying in the drops. (Another loyalist to the classic drop.) Granted, my bars are way lower than his were, but it is really amazing how fast that is. It doesn't lend itself to climbing in a high cadence, but the way your body is positioned when climbing like that, it almost feels like you're pre-loading a spring and you generate loads of power through the hips. Fucking slays me after no time at all, but you really do fly that way.
That's exactly my point. It's moot. Since riding like that is foolish, the K-wings, for me, are much more comfortable.
@Marko
And I know exactly what you mean about climbing Ala-Marco on the drops. It makes a huge difference in kick and speed. Only problem is, I'm cached after about 25 pedal revolutions.
@Marko
Ah - right. Gotcha.
As for the Pantani climbing mode, seriously. That shit burns me to bits! Must channel more Rule 20!
I have been in love with Ritchey WCS bars that have not only round drops, but a fair flat portion at the beginning of the bends. They are heaven, and match my Ritchey WCS Seapost, Pedals, and Stem~