News > Bicycle Touring Tips > Choosing handlebars that work for you

Choosing handlebars that work for you

Handlebars primarily affect how a bicycle handles and determine how much space is in between your torso, the bars and your arms. If you're about to embark on a bike tour, here are some things to consider when choosing a model that works for you.

1. Types. There are two primary types of handlebars - drop and flat. Drop bars are the kind you would expect to see on a racing cycle - they loop down and forward, allowing you to ride sitting upright or leaning forward. There are a few caveats to drop bars, however, most notably the brake position. Although you can certainly stop your bike quickly if need be, some people don't like the feeling of leaning forward when going down a steep hill. Also note that drop bars don't leave a lot of space for things like GPS devices, maps and handlebar bags.

Flat bars are commonly found on mountain bikes, though they can certainly work for more extensive touring. They'll provide you with more mounting space, but in general they're not designed for long-term use, which can eventually lead to discomfort.

There are a number of variations that fall in between these two handlebar types - for instance, butterfly bars are similar to drops, but they curve outward rather than vertically.

2. Mechanics. Once you've figured out what bars you'd like, you need to decide how you'd like them to feel against your hand. You want your handlebars to be about the width of your shoulders - this will prevent you from having to grip them too widely or narrowly, both of which can quickly make you sore.

You'll also have to decide how bulky you want the bars themselves to be. You may want to choose something a little thicker than you may initially think - after gripping your bars for hours on end, you may find the ulnar nerve, located between your thumb and forefinger, to be pretty uncomfortable. By choosing a thicker bar, you are distributing the weight around the area more evenly, which can reduce discomfort.

Density is another factor to consider. Generally speaking, the lighter a material, the more expensive it will be. If you're really trying to save time on your bike tour, it might be worthwhile to make the investment, but ask yo

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