The handlebar of the bicycle is an important part of bicycle parts. It is the main part of the steering and control of bicycles. When riding, whether it is long-distance riding or short-distance riding, whether it is road riding or cross-country riding, the handlebar is very important for the comfort and riding safety of riders.
Types of Handlebars
Flat bars
The horizontal shape of the flat bar is mainly straight, but it is not a completely straight line. It usually has a certain backward bending angle, which is very important for the rider to make precise and subtle angle adjustment, so as to get the most comfortable feeling of controlling the bike during riding.
The flat har is very suitable for some speed riding and is mostly used for lightweight mountain bikes.
Advantage: when shaking the car, it can work well.
Disadvantages: comfort and handling are not particularly good.
Riser Bars
The Riser Bars are very similar to a swallow spreading its wings. Riser Bar has a wide range of uses, not only in urban leisure bicycles but also in mountain bikes and heavy downhill bicycles.
There are great differences in the length and angle of the riser bars for different purposes. For example, for bikes with high requirements on vehicle control ability, such as speed drop and climbing, the rise bars they are equipped with are usually more than 700mm in length.
However, the rise bars used by some leisure bicycles are shorter, have a higher upward angle, and to a certain extent, it is more bent backward so that the rider can obtain a more comfortable riding posture.
Advantages: Good handling, comfortable to use, suitable for intense control.
Disadvantages: Heavy.
Butterfly (Touring) Bars
The most common butterfly bars are on a long-distance bicycle. Because the butterfly bar has multiple grip positions, it can help cyclists to obtain more riding posture in long-distance cycling travel, so that the body will not be too tired because of maintaining the same riding posture for a long time.
Advantage: Good comfort.
Disadvantages: Poor handling performance.
Bullhorn Bars
It is named because it looks like a sheep horn. It is mostly used in large group race road vehicles. Many long-distance travel enthusiasts will also use the bullhorn handlebars.
The bullhorn bars usually have three holding positions: the “upper handle position” located in the straight position of the handlebar, the “lower handle position” at the bending and arched position, and the “hand shift” at the hand change connection.
“upper handle position” is often used in riding and competition, which is not fierce and has low strength. It can obtain a more upright riding posture and reduce waist fatigue.
When it is necessary to sprint at high speed and improve the control force, the drivers will hold the “lower handle position” to make the body lean forward and reduce the wind resistance. At the same time, the control of the whole vehicle is enhanced, which makes it easier to generate force and drive stably.
In the race, if it is a large uniform force riding, many riders are used to holding the handlebar “hand shift”, strong comfort and control strength.
Drop Bars
Drop Bars are mainly used for road vehicles. This kind of handlebar is generally used in professional competitions and has more limitations. Few bikes can be compatible with this kind of handlebars.
Selection method of the handlebar
The geometric parameters of the handlebar include width, height, lifting, and horizontal distance. The height and horizontal distance also determine the horizontal angle of the handle.
1. Width of the handlebar
Because of the height, angle, and other parameters vary from person to person, there is a general consensus on width. Generally, the transverse width of handlebars is divided into four grades, 650-680,680-730,730-750, and Over 750 is generally regarded as DH.
2. Increase the width of the Handlebar
1) The lever arm is increased
2) Increased steering range
3. The influence of wide handle on riding
Advantages:
1) The increase of physical arm of force makes the manipulation of wide handle horizontal more stable and accurate;
2) However, the change of steering amplitude in physical characteristics will reduce the flexibility of turning with a wide handle;
3) The wide handle is more conducive to breathing, especially when riding uphill, standing riding is more obvious.
4) A wide handle is more conducive to exerting force. You can imagine whether it is easier to pull a narrow handle or a wide handle.
5) It is more suitable for the open forest road than for the skill forest road. At the same time, the faster the speed is, the wider the handlebar will be.
Inferiority:
1) The most intuitive is that when you pass the forest road, you are stuck by two trees;
2) When the handle is wide, the movement of the upper body is limited. Make the rabbit jump, pull the car, and other movements difficult.
Therefore, the width of the handlebar is generally determined by the following methods:
1. Generally recommended width is 10-15cm wider than your shoulder;
2. When doing push-ups, the width of the hand is the width of the handle, which can be averaged several times;
3. Find several different lengths of handlebars to ride for a period of time;
Selection of Handlebar Diameter
There are 25.4mm and 31.8mm2 handlebars for bicycles, which are equipped with risers of different diameters.
For a 25.4 caliber handlebar, the circumference of the middle part is about 79.7 mm
For a 31.8 caliber handlebar, the circumference of the middle part is about 99.9 mm
The difference between handlebars of different specifications and calibers is only in the middle part, with the same 22.2mm at both ends. This specification is also the size of all handle sleeves and auxiliary handlebars, so don’t worry about changing the handle horizontal.
Therefore, if you buy a handlebar, you should pay attention to the diameter of the original vertical pipe. If you buy a complete set of handlebar stand, you can buy it according to your own preference.
How to choose a handlebar suitable for you, please refer to the following four steps:
Step 1: confirm the diameter of the handlebar (at present, there are two specifications: 25.4 mm and 31.8 mm, some climbing bikes and performance vehicles are 22.2 mm). You can measure the diameter of the original riser or the thickest part in the middle of the original handlebar. Or measure the circumference of the handlebar and divide it by 3.14 to get the diameter.
Step 2: confirm the length of the handlebar (the length of the straight handle and the swallow handle is the straight line distance). First, measure the length of the original handlebar, and then compare the length of the handlebar to be purchased.
Step 3: as for the installation of the handle sleeve, transmission, and brake handle, the diameter of both ends of the handlebar, whether it is 25.4 or 31.8 caliber, is 22.2 international standard. Therefore, there is no problem with the handlebar of different calibers, mounting the handle sleeve, transmission, and brake handle.
Step 4: only change the handlebar. The caliber of the new handlebar and the original handlebar must be the same. If the handlebar and riser are replaced together, the diameter of 25.4 or 31.8 can be selected.