Handlebar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Not to be confused with handlebar moustache .
Handlebars usually refer to the steering mechanism for bicycles and motorcycles; the equivalent of a steering wheel, though used in conjunction with the rider's balance or center of gravity to steer.
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[edit] Types of handlebar
The three most common types of bicycle handlebar are:
- drop handlebars, as used on road, track, and cyclo-cross bicycles.
- flat or upright handlebars, as used on mountain, utility and hybrid bicycles. This type of handlebar frequently has bar ends added.
- cruiser handlebars, as used on cruiser bicycles. These tend to be long and slope towards the rear of the biycle so that the rider can sit upright.
Additional types include:
- triathlon bars, also known as aero bars
- bullhorn handlebars, used with dedicated triathlon bars
- moustache handlebars
[edit] Design
Handlebar design is a trade-off between several desirable qualities:
- Enabling the rider to assume an aerodynamic position.
- Enabling the rider to change body positions during long rides, preventing fatigue.
- Providing necessary leverage to steer the bicycle.
- Provision of a comfortable ride by dampening road vibration
Handlebars are most commonly made of aluminium alloys, but are also often made from steel, carbon fibre or titanium.
[edit] Choosing a handlebar to fit a stem
Care is needed when choosing a handlebar to match a stem, or vice-versa, as there are several standards. The ISO standard for the clamping area of a handlebar is 25.4 mm (1"), which is used on the majority of mountain bikes and many Japanese-made road handlebars. However, the Italian unofficial standard is 26.0 mm, which is the most common clamp size for road bars. There are also intermediate sizes such as 25.8 mm to try and achieve compatibility with either an ISO or Italian stem, and the old Cinelli-specific size of 26.4 mm. In practice, many modern stems with removable faceplates are quite accommodating of slight differences in handlebar clamp size, but the older type of stem with a single pinch bolt must be accurately matched. In the days of quill stems, a road stem was clearly identifiable from its "7" shape, but nowadays it can be hard to tell the difference between a "road" (26.0 mm) and "MTB" (25.4 mm) stem. Manufacturers frequently omit the clamp size from advertising or packaging.
A new emerging standard is an oversize 31.8 mm (1.25") clamp for both MTB and road bars. This is rapidly taking over from the previous mix of sizes, although other accessories such as computers and brake levers also need to be designed with the thicker bars in mind. Shims are available to fit a 31.8mm stem to either a 25.4mm or 26.0mm bar, so it is likely that most new stems will be made oversize-only.
[edit] Handlebar coverings
Handlebars usually have tape or grips to provide grip and comfort. In general, handlebars which have one riding position have grips, and handlebars which provide several use tape.
There are many types of handlebar tape:
- Polyurethane tape
- Composite rubber tape
- Cork tape, padded tape, provides cushioning but less durable.
- Bike ribbon, plastic padded tape with smooth waterproof suface.
- Benotto tape, made from plastic, popular in the 1970s and 1980s, also known as celo tape. Compared with other types of handlebar tape it is relatively thin and is unpadded; it does not provide any cushioning from road vibrations. However it is long lasting and stays clean.
- Cotton tape, unpadded woven cotton tape with adhesive backing.
Handlebars covered with tape must have handlebar plugs fitted in the open ends for safety.
