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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@wvcycling
A compulsive component-matcher, are we? You're in good company here, and thanks for the tip! One reason I haven't switched to a Shimano PRO stem is because it would break the FSA monopoly I have going when it comes to bars/stems/seat posts. Same goes for the bars I'm considering; I like the 3T bars, but then I'd have to switch stems and I really like my seatpost. So I'm a bit fucked, really.
It's funny; I generally tend to ignore the whole Ritchey line of products which is odd since I am head-over-heels in love with my MB-Zip, and Bridgestone's alliance with Ritchey for parts was a huge part of those bikes.
I'll take another look at those bars, maybe they are a good compromise in shape, provided I can get over breaking the FSA stranglehold or like the stem and seat post options.
I made the switch from round bars to flat (Zipp contours) a couple of years ago and instantly fell in love. Couldn't imagine riding round bars any more - just feel awkward and uncomfortable on the tops. #2 bike got given some sub-standard ITM flat things (too flat) until I replaced the whole bike this winter. Interestingly, I chose the Ritchey WCS contoured bar, and these are the closest I've come to serious hand comfort (although nothing matches the Zipps)
Handlebars is one of those odd areas where I think the Pro's get overly suspicious (along with coloured tyres). They're an odd breed.
@frank right with you brother on the deliberation/investment front.
@Jarvis
But not on the photographing/updating screensavers/wallpapers front? Am I alone here in this particular obsession?
@frank
You are not, my friend. Since I don't update my components enough (still using round bars) I seem to take a new portrait photo of bike #1 even when I put on new tires or tape. What a weirdo.
When I get new wheels I'll be mailing out photo albums to anyone, like an overly proud dad.
@john
This Winter, I'll be doing Christmas cards and providing long narrations of what minor modifications my bikes underwent during the course of the year.
@frank
I really find sometimes that component selection is a very painful process. Before I bought this ideal bar, I had a Ritchey WCS Logic; an ergo bar. I really wanted a 3T bar with the long but shallow, sweeping drops. Alas, I enjoy my Ritchey Products, and I feel the OBLIGATION to keep my components matching, so it took me a while to find a bar I liked and matched the rest.
Some of us are pickier about components than women are about shoes. :D
@frank I spend so much time fettling with my bikes that if I photographed every single change I wouldn't have time to ride them. Besides, by the time I've deliberated, bought, stripped and re-built the bike, I've more than likely moved on to upgrading/re-building another of the bikes and so starting the process all over again.
In regards to the Selle SMP: a coworker at one of my former shops hit the nail on the head when he dubbed it the "Selle Save My Penis."
I just ordered one of these babies and am so excited. Thanks for the recommendation Frank.