Finding the right type of handlebars for your bicycle is very important to fit your riding style, especially if you are an enthusiast biker who is new to the scene. So for this article, we will be looking at the different types of handlebars along with some of the pros and cons that you should keep in mind before deciding which handlebar may be best for you.
Types of Handlebars Along With Pros And Cons
1. Straight / Flat bars
Straight bars are the traditional type of handlebars that most people are familiar with. They are usually straight and parallel to each other. They are great for beginners and people who are just getting started on riding. Some of these straight bars are narrow which lets you better maneuver your bike on the roads, while others are much wider which are mainly used for exercise purposes as it lets breath and workout.
They are also very customizable as there is a lot of space in between the handlebars where you can add various other accessories like bells, phone holders, lights, etc.
As for some of the drawbacks, inexperienced riders who would like to travel long distances would not necessarily prefer these types of handlebars as keeping your hands in the same position for a long time can make it very uncomfortable as well as may cause cramps. Additionally, for some of the cycling enthusiasts out there, straight bars aren’t very aerodynamic which makes it difficult for competitive cycling.
2. Bullhorn bars
Bullhorn bars are somewhat less popular amongst people. As the name suggests, they are shaped like bullhorns which means the handlebars curved upwards. The reason for this type of shape is to give the rider additional hand positions compared to traditional straight bars, which lets the rider adjust how they position their hands in the most comfortable way possible without having to give up on functionality or control.
However similarly, like straight bars, they aren’t very aerodynamic either.
3. Drop Bars
Drop bars are the most popular handlebars in the competitive biking scene and are used by professional cyclists. If you have ever seen professional bicycle races like the Tour De France, then you would be very much familiar with the shape and look of these handlebars. Like bullhorn bars they are curved, however, the difference is bullhorn bars are curved upwards whereas drop bars are curved downwards.
Out of the three, drop bars allow for the most amount of hand positions and accessibility. And depending on which positions you use, it can drastically change your riding style which is why professional cyclists use these types of handlebars as they are extremely versatile. Unfortunately, these handlebars are usually pretty small in comparison to the others which means there isn’t going to be much space available for different accessories.
Another drawback is since these handlebars are so popular amongst the pros, they come in many different variations which can be very difficult for beginners to understand and get used to without having much knowledge about competitive cycling.
Final Thoughts on Handlebars
As you can see, there are many different kinds of handlebars for different kinds of riders. All of them have their pros and cons. But now that you have a brief idea about the kind of handlebars that you may prefer, you can do further research on your own to find out which type of handlebar will suit you the best.
