Posted by Jeff
One of the growing trends in cycling is the ability to create your own bike built to your own specifications. You can do this by going to a specialist bike builder but that can get really expensive. One of the ways a lot of people end up with a custom built bike is through the gradual customization of their existing bike.
One of the first things that tends to be changed in the handlebar and this could be for a couple of reasons. Firstly, because the riding position isn’t quite right for the rider, maybe they have to have too much of their body weight over the handlebars making them feel unstable or maybe the handlebars feel too far away to control the bike properly. The other reason is essentially to enhance the looks of your bike and to maybe make it stand out a little from everyone else. New handlebars are one of the easiest changes to make which will address all of the above.
There are many different types of handlebar design available as after-market products to help you resolve a problem with your riding position or simply to enhance the looks of your bike.
Drop Handlebars
Drop handlebars are the type of handlebar you traditionally see on road bikes or track cycles. They have a short straight tube which then bends away from the rider and drops into a deep C shape. This allows the rider to adopt a number of riding positions. A casual ride may mean a more upright position with the hands resting on top of the handlebars. A racing position will more than likely require the rider to drop his body forwards with his hands on the bottom part of the C.
Flat Handlebars
Flat handlebars are the type of handlebar you normally see on a mountain bike. These tend to have a more or less straight tube which may curve very slightly towards the rider.
Riser Handlebars
Riser handlebars are a variation of the flat handlebar mentioned above but they rise upwards from the centre clamp area. This design allows for a shorter distance to the rider’s hands and so will allow him to adopt a riding position where his body isn’t so much over the front wheel.
Pursuit Handlebars
Pursuit handlebars, which are also sometimes known as bull horn handlebars because of their appearance. Their use comes from dedicated track racing where the position is ideal for pursuit riding. One way in which you could make your own bullhorn handlebars if you have a road bike is to cut the drop off your drop handlebars and remount them upside down. This won’t be a perfect solution but it will give you a similar riding position.
There are many other variations of the above which have been developed for different purposes and specialisms and it is always worth having a good look around at what’a available as there is bound to be something that will give you the effect you are looking for.
There are many different types of handlebar available to choose from within the pages of bicyclestuff.co.uk for mountain bikes, road bikes and more.
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