Lrdchaos

I’m looking to upgrade my bars, really just want to make a change more than anything. I’m looking at the Easton ec90 or Specialized Aerofly bars. I normally ride a decent about of time holding onto the top of the bars and I think the flat part would make it a little more comfortable. But, I’m open to opinions and recommendations.

2seven0

I have the Easton EC70s on my bikes yes the flat tops are much more comfortable than round bars if you use the tops a lot.
West

Sy Reene

What bars do you have now (round tubed alloy)? There's flat top like you asked about, otherwise there's also just flatter (than round) ovalized as well, if the idea is comfort. The ovalized type lend themselves generally to being easier taped further toward the center clamp area than the flattened aero type. Examples of these eg. a FSA KForce compact or Enve compact, etc.

aplcr0331

I love my Shimano Pro aero bars. The flat top really suites my riding style.

WhyFi

I recently built a new bike with EC70s. Since it's the middle of winter, I haven't had it on the road yet, but the tops do seem comfy on the trainer and they look boss.

The main drawback? Holy **** was it a bear to route the hydro hoses and mechanical cable housing through them. After bashing my head on the learning curve, it'd certainly be easier the second time around, but it would still be a pain in the ass and I'd set aside the better part of a day to do it. If you have Di2 and/or rim brakes, it'll probably be easier, but approach it patiently, either way.

Lrdchaos

yes, I have round alloy. I’m just looking to upgrade the bike a little in comfort and look.

woodcraft

I have flat topped bars, which I like,

but the whole comfort idea seems odd- pretty much the only time that I'm on the tops is while climbing,

with very little weight on the hands, and the bar tops are not taped, reducing any increased comfort from the flatness.

They look cool, may be a tiny bit more aero, flex more, increasing overall comfort, and concealed cable housings are nice, at least once installed.

The carbon molding that allows the flat top also allows other subtle shapes that make the bars better relative to alloy ones that are a bent tube.

Make sure there is some round area to mount light & head unit if you use those.


Aero bars signal an interest in speed, which suggests an aero riding position and so little time on the bar tops.

Anyway, I was happy to spend $$ for bars, so I say go for it.

GnipGnop

Local race teams change their cervelo bars and sell the old ones, so I've been able to score the Cervelo aero bars for $150 when they are $400 new. I love them and won't ride rounds again if i have a choice

tomato coupe

Hands (or forearms) on the tops near the middle => pretty aero.

Seattle Forrest

I find them a little less comfortable than a more traditional (round) bar, but I'm rarely in the tops anyway so it doesn't matter. They look cool.

DOS

My new Ritchey WCS Streem III alloy bars arrived today.I got them for the same reason, mainly by reducing the drop and reach from bars I have been running.But I think the flattened tops, which aren’t super aero but more ovalized may also be more comfy when I ride on the tops.

woodcraft

True, and in that position, bar shape/comfort is not much of a factor.

tomato coupe

Why not?

Lrdchaos

My LBS has a set of Giant contact slr bars for 1/2 price, so I grabbed those. I’m going to have them installed tomorrow with new bar tape. Thank you for the help!!!

jadocs

Those are very similar to the 3t ergonova bars I have on mine. I think you will like them...I do.

woodcraft

Because one would be either descending or working fairly hard so elbows bent & the more bent,

the more the hands rotate down so heel of the hand is not much on the bar anyway.

My theory- YMMV.

tomato coupe

The heel of your hand is where the meat (i.e padding) is. If the heels of your hands are not resting on the bars, there is more need for increased bar comfort.

DOS

I considered the 3T superergo pro but thought the 123mm drop was a little shallower than I wanted. But they looked to be nice bars.

woodcraft

It would only take a minor modification of brake mounting for carbon bars to be made flat bottoms

as well as flat tops...

tomato coupe

You lost me. Are you now referring to the shape of the hooks?

woodcraft

Yeah. There could be flattened profile on the drops. That would be comfy, right? Round tubes are so last year.

tomato coupe

Sorry, I thought we were discussing the top of aero bars.

NHmtb

I always thought this would be the case. I only ride on the flats when I'm taking it easy, but it never seemed like aero-flat portion would be comfortable, and it seemed like this area wasn't intended for actually seeing hands - especially since most people don't tape them

Sy Reene

I assume the aero version, ie. the one pictured below? Interesting but there aren't any other angle views on Giant's site to show the side profile. And it looks like it needs a dedicated stem design, correct?
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/gi...aero-handlebar

Lrdchaos

Not that version, I believe that is the proprietary propel bars that require the specific stem. I bought these.


https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/co...road-handlebar