Advice on shallow drop handlebar

[dawgie]

I'm looking for a 26.0 shallow drop handlebar with a flat top, and having trouble finding the right fit. I had a Ritchey Pro on my bike, which is not real deep, but I wanted something with drops at least 1.0 cm shallower. My bike shop had a Salsa Moto-Ace Short and Shallow that appeared to be what I was looking for, but wasn't any shallower once it was installed. The problem is that the Salsa bar ramps downward toward the brake hoods, so if I rotate the bar so it is flatter on top, then the drops slope downward and are actually deeper than my Ritcheys. However, if I rotate the bar so the drops so they are level with the ground, then the top of the bar ramps downward too much at the hoods.

I am finding out that handlebar geometry is very complicated. With all the twists and turns, it is very hard to measure drop. So does anyone have any recommendations for an aluminum, 26.0 bar with shallow drop that doesn't ramp downward at the hoods? If it matters, my bars are 44.0 wide center-center. I have an FSA Compact bar on another bike that is perfect but it's a 31.8 mm and I'm not if it's available in 26.0.

[sc53]

I'm using a Nitto Neat 153 (I think that's what it's called). It's a 26 bar with shallow drops that I bought from Rivendell. I think Velo-Orange may also carry it. Measurements are 80mm reach 131mm drop.

[dave thompson]

A recent discussion regarding this subject just the other day, with some recommendations: http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=99573&highlight=soma

[lhuerta]

Here is another link to discussion on SOMA Highway 1 bars:

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=94918&highlight=soma

I picked up a pair and they are identical in shape to FSA compact bars with an even slightly longer tail on the drops, and a VERY flat transition from top of bars to hoods (I use Campy 10 speed levers). I will try and post a pic later.

The only shortcoming is that SOMA's mail-order process is really poor...very expensive and sloooooow shipping.

lou

[spamjoshua]

http://www.alexscycle.com/handlebars/road-1-2/nitto-neat-m106-nas.html

They are expensive, but comfy and strong.

[modernfuturist]

http://ruedatropical.com/2009/03/road-drop-bar-geometry/

Pretty useful in giving an overview of the different drop bars. If you can find it, I really liked the Deda 215 shallow for 26.0 bars. Has the shallow drop, but not the compact curve of the Soma Hwy 1's or the FSA's.

[eddief]

http://www.amazon.com/Origin8-Pro-Lite-Compact-Handlebar-26-0mm/dp/B0041X5412/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_4

[dawgie]

The Soma bars look perfect. Nitto Noodle 177s look like another good option but appear to have more drop.

[fatallightning]

dimension makes a cheap short and shallow wing top in 26.0

[El Cap]

I was looking for the same thing a few months ago.there aren't many options in a 26. The Deda 215 looks nice