Compact bars vs Standard ?

[SoCalSteve]

Hi all,

OK, this kind of goes along with me being sooo bad at math and geometry.

What is the difference between the two? And, what does that mean to me and in a real world application?

As always, thank you all in advance!

Steve

[AngryScientist]

they are just generic terms, generally compact bars are shallower with less reach.

in order to understand what you're getting or what you need, you have to compare the reach and drop (actual numbers) of each bar you are considering.

again, in general - if the reach on your bike is too long for you, or you have more saddle to bar drop than you want, a move to compact bars might be in order, but really - the numbers tell the story.

[Smiley]

SoCal,
used to be you have THREE distinctive reaches and drops on bars BUT with Carbone finding its way into Bars you will not find long reach deep drop bars anymore in carbon or even aluminum. So here goes

Short reach drop 7-7.5 cm reach and 12-13.5 cm drop

Medium reach 8- 8.5 cm reach and 14 ish drop

Long reach 9 -10 cm reach and 14.5 - 15 cm drop (good luck finding alot of these) Nitto is the only big vendor I know BUT they make these in 26 mm clamp

Additionally the bend makes a HUGE diffrence on where the brifter sits so you have a level transition to the bar tops.

[dave thompson]

Another attribute of compact bars, one that really appeals to me, is the way the tops and transition to the hoods is horizontal rather than sloping down. Makes it very easy to mount the shifter just right and comfortable on the road.

[bobswire]

Originally Posted by dave thompson

Another attribute of compact bars, one that really appeals to me, is the way the tops and transition to the hoods is horizontal rather than sloping down. Makes it very easy to mount the shifter just right and comfortable on the road.

EXACTLY!

[Keith A]

Dave makes a good point. Although I don't have any compact bars on a bike I ride, my daughter's bike does. So in the process of setting up her bike, I have ridden this around several times and I really like the transition from the bars to the brifters. She has the 3T Ergonova and I have held up the FSA Omega Compact bars next to the 3T's and the bend was identical between the two.

I think I'm going to give the compact bars a try myself and see how they feel on longer rides.

BTW Dave, which bars are in the picture you posted?

[dana_e]

the new compact are flat on top and then curve down
they are short reach / short drop

the old style short reach / short drop are ;like a Deda newton round shallow or Speciale also called italian style (as opposed to belgium style)

the bars fall away at top and then curve

it affects lever posiotn by a good bit, maybe 3 cent or so

I run the old style deda newton non-anotomic with the bars higher

i figure I could dro pthe bars 3 cent and use a mod bar and the levers would end up the same

[dave thompson]

Originally Posted by Keith A

Dave makes a good point. Although I don't have any compact bars on a bike I ride, my daughter's bike does. So in the process of setting up her bike, I have ridden this around several times and I really like the transition from the bars to the brifters. She has the 3T Ergonova and I have held up the FSA Omega Compact bars next to the 3T's and the bend was identical between the two.

I think I'm going to give the compact bars a try myself and see how they feel on longer rides.

BTW Dave, which bars are in the picture you posted?

I have 4 pair of compact bars; Control Tech, FSA Omega, something labeled Cannondale and Bontrager. Aside from minor differences in reach and drop, they're all pretty much the same.

Specifically, the red bars are Bontrager and the white bars are the Control Tech.

[eddief]

not sure it's all true, but convinced me. I have either Omega or K-Force carbon version on my bikes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EWM0KTdCOY

[Gummee]

Basically, if you want to shorten the reach and/or drop go compact bars.

If you're like me (gorilla) and need the reach (89mm), but not the drop (12Xmm), I went with the Ergosum bars.

For example: I had an FSA Wing Compact on my Roubaix. 12cm stem. Swapped out to another bar and had to drop back to an 11cm stem to get the same reach to the hoods.

HTH

M

[leooooo]

Not even a fit issue for me, but I find it easier to reach Campy thumb shifts while in drops with compact. All my bikes running compact bars now

[don'TreadOnMe]

Who offers the new style bars in 26.0?

[jlwdm]

Just watch out for bars labeled "compact." They are not all created equal. Figure out what reach and drop you want and then find what you need. There are so many choices it is ridiculous.

I use a couple of different Ritchey compact bars.

Jeff

[modernfuturist]

Origin 8 and Soma (Highway 1 Model)

[Keith A]

Originally Posted by modernfuturist

Origin 8 and Soma (Highway 1 Model)

That's some good info. Have you tried them yourself?

They come in black and silver...
http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/highway-1-bar