Do you want to ride fast and comfortably? Teach you how to recognize and choose road bends

Highway handlebars are one of the main points of contact between you and your bicycle, so having a suitable handlebar is important. If an inappropriate handlebar is replaced, it will not only affect hand health, but also the posture of the entire upper body, which will have a huge impact on the riding of the bicycle. Perhaps now you should consider replacing the handlebar, which may give you a chance to have a qualitative improvement and reduce some weight. But how to choose is a problem. Today, Meiqi.com will take you to learn about handlebars and how to better choose the one that suits you.

Material selection

At present, the common handlebar materials in the market are mainly divided into aluminum alloy and carbon fiber. The price of aluminum alloy handlebars is relatively low, suitable for car enthusiasts with limited budgets; Carbon fiber is relatively expensive, but it has greater advantages in terms of aerodynamics, weight, and shock absorption. If the budget is sufficient, choosing carbon fiber handlebars is more appropriate. For the safety of oneself and others riding, please do not purchase or use counterfeit carbon fiber bending handles.

width

The width is usually measured between the two ends of the handlebar. FSA/Vision's bend width is measured between the centers of both ends, while other brands measure from the outside of one end to the outside of the other end. The width of the descending handlebar usually increases in increments of 2cm/20mm. Drivers with wide shoulders will gain higher maneuverability and increased breathing ability from wider handlebars, but drivers with excessively wide shoulders will experience neck and shoulder pain due to the sinking of their upper body while riding, resulting in increased weight. Experience is to match the width of the handlebars with the width of the shoulders, but we recommend that riders use professional bicycle fitting to ensure their physical health and safety.

Reach and Drop

Reach refers to the horizontal distance from the upper handle to the front end of the bend. As we often mention, the length of this section can affect the forward extension of the body, and sometimes even be used as a supplement to the length of the bend. However, considering the relationship between material and shape, as well as the strength of the bending handle, the reach of the bending handle is generally between 70-80mm, and only a few special bending handles can achieve a reach of 90mm or even longer.

Drop refers to the distance difference between the upper and lower handle positions, which affects the height of the upper body when holding the lower handle. The larger the Drop, the lower the grip, but there is not much impact when holding the upper grip and changing the position of the hand. Common Drop sizes range from 125-140mm and above, giving rise to various styles such as traditional handlebars, small curved handlebars, and pneumatic handlebars, allowing riders to choose the appropriate handlebars based on their personal preferences.

External expansion

Expansion refers to the amount, in degrees, by which the lower handle of a handlebar tilts outward from the vertical direction. Most highway handlebars have very small extensions or no extensions at all. On the other hand, both the gravel and long-distance bike models have larger outward expansion angles, which can provide more comfort and handling when you ride.

Lift up

The common bending handles on the market are mostly flush with the top of the handle and the fixing point. When gravel riding became popular, lifting handles also emerged. The design purpose of the lifting handle is to increase the height that the rider can grip while riding on gravel, in order to cope with irregular road surfaces and provide better handling and comfort. For example, the K-WING AGX handlebar height of FSA has increased by 10mm, providing a more upright riding posture. The handle diameter of 31.8mm and the ergonomic elliptical part of 34 x 21, as well as the ACR and SCR wiring systems, create a low wind resistance and hidden wiring style.

Routing

The commonly seen handlebars on the market rarely support full tube walking, and aerodynamics have always been the goal pursued by FSA and Vision. If you have a passionate need for modifying road cars, then choosing a suitable handlebar is particularly important. There are many types of curved handles in the market, and choosing one that truly suits oneself may not be an easy task. But don't worry about it, all car enthusiasts. Vision brings convenience to car enthusiasts with its "ACR" wiring system specially designed for advanced car enthusiasts. Perhaps it is your choice.

The ACR fully integrated operating system (Aero Cable Routing) launched by FSA/Vision, in this patent application, allows for the perfect storage of cable conduits that may be exposed outside the chassis, including vertical and curved handles. By using the ACR system, not only can the overall quality of the vehicle be improved, but it is also an indispensable element for high-end car models in the new era.

compatibility

The compatibility of handlebars is one of the issues that many car enthusiasts consider, and everyone's needs will vary greatly depending on their riding range. When you expect to participate in a triathlon or an ITT, it requires the rider to lower their upper body to gain greater riding benefits. However, the original handlebars cannot provide such a safe riding posture, so third-party accessories can only be considered for installation. However, due to many product specifications and safety issues, installation is not possible. The Metron 4D Flat M.A.S. handle solves this problem and redefines the value of road vehicles.

Metron 4D Flat M.A.S. is based on Metron 4D and combines ergonomics and aerodynamics to develop an exclusive modular aerodynamic system (M.A.S.), Modular Aero System）， Drivers can install or remove extension handles as needed to meet various riding needs. Its specially reinforced carbon fiber structure achieves a perfect ratio of strength and lightweight. It also features a hidden wiring design and supports electronic transmission systems such as Di2.

Pneumatic integrated handlebar

Looking at the top of the line road cars from major brands in the past two years, you will surely find that the pneumatic integrated handle has gradually become a standard feature of top tier car models. Stronger rigidity performance, more ultimate aerodynamic performance, and more integrated conduit storage are the advantages that surpass traditional grouping. Among the 19 top teams in 2021, 5 teams used VISION Metron 5D and 6D integrated handlebars, providing the perfect solution for drivers who pursue aerodynamics, achieving rigidity, comfort, aerodynamics, full interior running, and full integration.

summary

Everyone's height and body shape are not the same. When riding, one should constantly feel the most suitable way to ride and adjust the various settings of the handlebars. Even small details can cause differences in riding experience. In summary, through continuous adjustment and tuning, you will eventually find the right bend for yourself. Vision and FSA also offer a variety of width and handle options, carbon fiber or aluminum alloy, to meet your different needs.