Women-specific Handlebars
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1558 days
jeslol posted 1 year ago.
I'm not sure that handle bars are the problem and can't say I've come across women's specific handlebars. Handlebars come in different widths, and you may be more comfortable on a narrower handlebar.
If you're comparing a regular bike to a womens specific bike, the top tube is shorter on a womens bike, bringing the handle bars closer to you. I understand that a new bike or frame is an expensive fix. Another thing you can try is a shorter stem (the piece that connects your handle bars to your bike). This will also bring your handlebars closer to you.
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1261 days
Tikal Dog posted 1 year ago.
I think also that you could solve this issue with a shorther stem.
Hyperactive Trifueler!!!! (I refuse to let the status go :p)
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catwood posted 1 year ago.
Specialized makes some nice women's specific bars. They are narrower (down to 38 cm instead of 42 like came on my bike) and have smaller drops to fit small hands to you can reach the shifters and brakes more easily.
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqSection.jsp?sid=EquipComponentsRoadHBars
The Ruby sl look totally aweseome, but the, Dolce, Sequoia, etc are also womens bars. All of Specialized's bars are oversized (31.8) so if you want them and you don't already have 31.8 bars, you need to get a new stem too.
Measure your bars (center to center) to check how wide they are. Most handlebar brands make them down to 40 cm. fsa has some great bars too if thats small enough.
I swapped out the bars on my roadie, so let me know if you have any other q's about replacing them. It made a significant difference in how I felt on the bike for me. You will still be reaching forward just as much, but you won't have your arms spread so wide in front of you.
190
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926 days
jmruns430 posted 1 year ago.
You can get narrower handlebars, as mentioned before. I swapped my specialized 40's on that came with my bike to the 38 WSD (as far as I can tell they are just slightly narrower) and it made a huge difference. I would also look into getting a shorter stem, My bike came with a 120mm stem and I'm down to 100mm right now. It may not seem huge, but two centimeters on a frame here and there can be a big difference. Getting a proper bike fit will also probably address the issue.
To measure your handlebar width's fit for you. you can stand up straight, take the flat part of the bar across your chest with the drop ends pointing up and then roll them up so they come toward you. The ends should line up with your shoulders pretty nicely, if they are outside, then you should change to a narrower bar (or check to see if you're standing up straight, another possible issue with the bike fit).
146
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1190 days
rcortesi posted 1 year ago.
Tamara;57759 wrote:
Since a whole new bike isn't in the budget this year, I've decided what I want to ask for as a Christmas present is a set of women-specific handlebars. I like my Giant TCR2, but after having test ridden a few women specific bikes lately, I'm realizing that I shouldn't be having to stretch and reach so much to maintain control of my bike, and I think that smaller handlebars will help significantly. I know that the Giant probably truly doesnt fit me, but like I said, a new bike isn't in the cards until next year.So, Ladies, any suggestions for handlebar brands/types. I'm talking road handlebars, not aerobars. thanks!
Go see Jeff Palmer at Spoke's Etc in Vienna VA. That guy is the man at getting bikes to fit. He'll be able to point you in the right direction.
Roger
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Since a whole new bike isn't in the budget this year, I've decided what I want to ask for as a Christmas present is a set of women-specific handlebars. I like my Giant TCR2, but after having test ridden a few women specific bikes lately, I'm realizing that I shouldn't be having to stretch and reach so much to maintain control of my bike, and I think that smaller handlebars will help significantly. I know that the Giant probably truly doesnt fit me, but like I said, a new bike isn't in the cards until next year.
So, Ladies, any suggestions for handlebar brands/types. I'm talking road handlebars, not aerobars. thanks!
"It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit." ~George Sheehan