Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

Reason for drop bars that sweep back from the stem

Search
Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

Reason for drop bars that sweep back from the stem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-21-16, 07:20 AM
  #1  
Lakerat
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 515
Liked 37 Times in 21 Posts
Reason for drop bars that sweep back from the stem

Some drop bars sweep back from the stem before bending forward to the hoods. Seems to a feature of Randonneur bars and Nitto Noodle has it also. What is the purpose of this drop bar feature? Why do some Randonneur bars sweep up from the stem?


Nitto Noodle Handlebar
Lakerat is offline  
Old 10-21-16, 07:30 AM
  #2  
ypsetihw
Senior Member
 
ypsetihw's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 1,109

Bikes: s-1

Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
more relaxed hand positions, that's all.
ypsetihw is offline  
Old 10-21-16, 07:39 AM
  #3  
Lakerat
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 515
Liked 37 Times in 21 Posts
When your hands are in what position on the bar?
Lakerat is offline  
Old 10-21-16, 07:41 AM
  #4  
Homebrew01
Super Moderator
 
Homebrew01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,853

Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales

Liked 942 Times in 622 Posts
Aren't those called "randonneur" bars ?? Never tried them.
For long tour type rides. Not sure how they help though.
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.

FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html

Last edited by Homebrew01; 10-21-16 at 08:26 AM.
Homebrew01 is offline  
Old 10-21-16, 07:49 AM
  #5  
obed7
Senior Member
 
obed7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Porter, Texas
Posts: 4,125

Bikes: Trek Domane 5.2, Ridley Xfire, Giant Propel, KHS AeroComp

Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by Lakerat
When your hands are in what position on the bar?
that would depend on your and what you are doing at the moment...you will change position of your hands on the bar multiple times through out the ride

That is the reason for any type of drop bar, to give you multiple options of hand position...that is the feature that makes them overall more comfortable.
obed7 is offline  
Old 10-21-16, 08:00 AM
  #6  
JohnDThompson 
Old fart
 
JohnDThompson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,865

Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.

Liked 3,472 Times in 1,970 Posts
Originally Posted by Homebrew01
Aren't those called "randonneur" bars ?? Never tried them.
No, the randonneur bend is flared at the drops:



I have them on a couple bikes. They're particularly nice with guidonnet brake levers.
JohnDThompson is offline  
Old 10-21-16, 08:16 AM
  #7  
Steve B.
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 7,082

Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo

Liked 2,207 Times in 1,252 Posts
What Rivendell calls it's "Nitto Noodle" , also known as the 177, has that slight backwards sweep, then a flat area behind the brakes. The rear sweep doesn't really do much except shorten the reach when on the tops. That in turn means you might need a 10mm longer stem, all things being equal. The flat part is actually very comfortable as your hands don't slide down into the valley behind the brifters/brake levers.

I find this comfortable on my tourer and steel bike who's h-bars are at seat level. My carbon go-fast has a more recent FSA bar with a more pronounced valley that I like when hammering. The bike with the FSA also has the bar 2 inches lower then the seat.

In truth, both setups are comfortable for long rides.
Steve B. is offline  
Old 10-21-16, 08:31 AM
  #8  
fietsbob
Banned
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NW,Oregon Coast
Posts: 43,598

Bikes: 8

Liked 1,360 Times in 866 Posts
A 177 bend/Noodles just curve back with out coming up like the rando .. & the drops dont bend outboard So..
In the drops you can climb out of the saddle and wrists not hit the tops

Many dozens of different bends .. want something else? Buy it.
fietsbob is offline  
Old 10-21-16, 08:39 AM
  #9  
Spoonrobot 
Senior Member
 
Spoonrobot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,106
Liked 211 Times in 124 Posts
The current handlebar spec'd for Diamondback gravel bikes is a modern interpretation of the Nitto Noodle. Less drop but similar shape and backsweep on the top curves.

I didn't know this going in but once I rode it for a while I was really impressed with how the backsweep curve fit into my palm. Gave me a more comfy in-between hoods and tops, this isn't pictured below but you can see the backsweep of the tops and slight flare to the drops.
Spoonrobot is offline  
Old 10-21-16, 08:47 AM
  #10  
Lakerat
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 515
Liked 37 Times in 21 Posts
Spoonrobot- I was wondering if this bar feature is for comfort when the hands are in this position. It makes this area of the bar curved which may allow multiple angles when gripping and maybe more palm contact area.
Lakerat is offline  
Old 10-21-16, 08:52 AM
  #11  
Spoonrobot 
Senior Member
 
Spoonrobot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,106
Liked 211 Times in 124 Posts
It is more comfortable for me, I can put up a better picture tonight to show it but I just put my palm on the bend and wrap my thumb over the top and fingers around the bar. Seems like the backsweep fits into my palm "pocket" better and changes the alignment of my arms shoulders just enough that everything gets a rest versus tops/hoods/drops.
Spoonrobot is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
cormacf
General Cycling Discussion
10
02-07-19 05:18 PM
gringodevil
Road Cycling
4
03-09-17 05:22 AM
grampa.sjb
Touring
38
09-11-15 05:04 PM
octophasic
Commuting
6
04-18-11 10:27 AM
Lilcphoto
Singlespeed & Fixed Gear
6
10-03-10 08:25 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service - Your Privacy Choices -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.