Road bike handlebars are one of the main components of a bicycle, so it's important to have the right handlebars. Replacing an inappropriate handlebar can affect not only the health of your hands, but also the posture of your entire upper body, which can significantly impact your cycling comfort, so consider replacing your handlebars. This is an opportunity to not only provide a qualitative improvement, but also to potentially reduce some of the road bike's weight. However, choosing the right handlebar can be a dilemma. This time, we will explain in detail how to choose the right handlebar, so let's take a look together.

Handlebar Material

Currently, the common handlebar materials on the market are mainly aluminum alloy and carbon. Aluminum handlebars are relatively inexpensive and are suitable for riders on a budget. Carbon fiber is relatively more expensive, but it offers significant advantages in terms of aerodynamics, weight, and vibration absorption. If your budget allows, choosing a carbon fiber handlebar is a better option. For your safety and the safety of others, do not purchase or use counterfeit carbon fiber handlebars.

Handlebar Width

Width is usually measured between the ends of the handlebar. Some brands measure handlebar width between the centers of the ends, while others measure from the outside of one end to the outside of the other. The width of dropped handlebars typically increases in 2cm/20mm increments. Riders with wider shoulders will benefit from wider handlebars for better maneuverability and breathing capacity, but handlebars that are too wide can cause increased weight due to the upper body's slumped riding posture, ultimately leading to neck and shoulder pain. While matching handlebar width to shoulder width is a common practice, riders are advised to use professional bike fitting to ensure body health and safety.

Reach and Drop

Reach refers to the horizontal distance from the top to the front end of the corner. The length of this section is the same as the stem length often mentioned, and it affects the forward extension of the body. However, considering the material and shape, and the strength of the handlebar, the reach of the handlebar usually moves in lengths of 70-80mm, and some special handlebars can achieve a reach of 90mm or more.

Drop refers to the distance from the upper body to the lower body, and it affects the height of the upper body when holding the lower part of the handlebar. The greater the drop, the greater the downward angle of the lower handlebar, but changing the hand position with the upper handlebar has little effect. Common drops range from 125-140mm or more, leading to various shapes such as traditional handlebars, shallow drop handlebars, and aerodynamic handlebars, allowing riders to choose the appropriate handlebar type according to their personal preference.

Handlebar Flare

Flare refers to the amount, in degrees, that the lower position of the handlebar angles outward from the vertical direction. Most road handlebars have little to no flare. On the other hand, gravel and long-distance bikes have a larger flare angle, which improves riding comfort and handling.

Handlebar Rise

Most conventionally curved handlebars are at the same height as the fixed position of the top of the handlebar. With the popularity of gravel riding, rising handlebars have also become popular. Rising handlebars are designed to increase the rider's grip height when riding on gravel, which helps in handling irregular roads and provides better handling and comfort.

Routing

Ordinary handlebars rarely support full internal cable routing, and aerodynamics has always been a pursuit. If you're enthusiastically looking to customize your road bike, choosing the right handlebar for you is particularly important. There are various types of handlebars on the market, and it may not be easy to choose the one that suits you best. But don't worry about this. Vision offers convenience to riders; it has created the "ACR" routing system for advanced riders. Perhaps that's your choice.

Compatibility

Handlebar compatibility is one of the concerns for many riders. Different riding ranges have vastly different needs. If participating in triathlons or ITT, riders need to lower their upper body to enhance riding benefits, but the original handlebars cannot safely provide such riding positions. While there are many third-party accessories, there are also many product specifications and safety issues that prevent installation.

Aerodynamic Integrated Handlebar

Looking at the top-tier road bikes from major brands over the past two years, you'll notice that aerodynamic integrated handlebars have gradually become a first-class standard. Stronger rigidity, more extreme aerodynamic performance, and more integrated cable and tube storage are some of the advantages of a single handlebar over some traditional handlebars.

Summary

Everyone has a different height and body type. With each ride, you need to constantly adjust various handlebar settings to find the optimal riding style that feels right for you. Every detail makes a difference to your riding experience. Overall, through constant adjustment and fine-tuning, you can eventually find the handlebar that suits you. Vision and FSA also offer a variety of widths and handlebar options, in carbon fiber or aluminum alloy, to meet diverse needs.

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