handlebar height

What is the explanation for the lowering of handlebars from the much higher
position of the 50's and 60's when they were almost level with the saddle ?
What does a rider gain from this ?

In article ,
says...
What is the explanation for the lowering of handlebars from the much higher
position of the 50's and 60's when they were almost level with the saddle ?
What does a rider gain from this ?

I assume you mean for racing. If that's what you mean, it's simply that
lower bars allow the rider to get a bit more aerodynamic, and thus go a
bit faster.

--
Remove the ns_ from if replying by e-mail (but keep posts in the
newsgroups if possible).

Originally posted by David Kerber In article
,
says...
What is the explanation for the lowering of handlebars from the much
higher position of the 50's and 60's when they were almost level with
the saddle ? What does a rider gain from this ?

I assume you mean for racing. If that's what you mean, it's simply that
lower bars allow the rider to get a bit more aerodynamic, and thus go a
bit faster.


=============================================


But you don't need to be aerodynamic when riding in a bunch of riders.



--

"David Kerber" wrote in message
. ..
In article ,
says...
What is the explanation for the lowering of handlebars from the much
higher
position of the 50's and 60's when they were almost level with the
saddle ?
What does a rider gain from this ?

I assume you mean for racing. If that's what you mean, it's simply that
lower bars allow the rider to get a bit more aerodynamic, and thus go a
bit faster.

It should also be noted that *racers* are usually in their 20-30s, have 5-7%
body fat and ride like 20,000 miles per year. For most everyone else,
"raising" their handlebars would arguably be more beneficial to help
alleviate alot of back and neck pains....

It should also be noted that *racers* are usually in their 20-30s, have
5-7%
body fat and ride like 20,000 miles per year. For most everyone else,
"raising" their handlebars would arguably be more beneficial to help
alleviate alot of back and neck pains....

My racing days are far behind me, and, at 48, I'm not terribly close to
being in my 20s-30s either. I'm also not terribly flexible (I can't come
close to touching my toes and *never* do stretching exercises). But, on a
60cm frame, my bars are about 2.5 inches below the seat, and that's
considerably more comfortable for me than a higher bar. My point? That a
higher bar does *not* automatically, mean more comfort.

Why might a lower bar make for a more-comfortable ride? In my case, it's
because it takes pressure off my tail end and distributes it forward, to may
arms. Obviously, there's a balance, and that balance may be different for
different people. But for me, I can ride 100 miles *very* comfortably, with
no saddle pain, providing the bars are a reasonable distance below the
saddle. Raise the bars and I'm fine on a shorter ride, but get saddle-sore
on longer expeditions.

Keep in mind that my lack of flexibility is something of a joke around the
shop, yet I can ride forever comfortably on a bike with the bars a moderate
distance below the bars. Obviously your mileage may vary, but don't assume
that everyone but 20-30 year old racers would benefit from a higher
handlebar.

--Mike--
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com

First,
"bfd" wrote in message
link.net...

"David Kerber" wrote in message
. ..
In article ,
says...
What is the explanation for the lowering of handlebars from the much
higher
position of the 50's and 60's when they were almost level with the
saddle ?
What does a rider gain from this ?

I assume you mean for racing. If that's what you mean, it's simply that
lower bars allow the rider to get a bit more aerodynamic, and thus go a
bit faster.

It should also be noted that *racers* are usually in their 20-30s, have
5-7%
body fat and ride like 20,000 miles per year. For most everyone else,
"raising" their handlebars would arguably be more beneficial to help
alleviate alot of back and neck pains....

A more level torso, less frontal area, better aerodynamics and a sore
back! LOL

- -

"May you have the wind at your back.
And a really low gear for the hills!"

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

Chris'Z Corner
http://www.geocities.com/czcorner

But you don't need to be aerodynamic when riding in a bunch of riders.

If you never take a turn at the front why should the others let you draft them?
I'd try to drop someone like that in a heartbeat -- most cyclists would.

In article , usenet-
says...
Originally posted by David Kerber In article
,
says...
What is the explanation for the lowering of handlebars from the much
higher position of the 50's and 60's when they were almost level with
the saddle ? What does a rider gain from this ?

I assume you mean for racing. If that's what you mean, it's simply that
lower bars allow the rider to get a bit more aerodynamic, and thus go a
bit faster.


=============================================


But you don't need to be aerodynamic when riding in a bunch of riders.

If you're in the front, or trying to break away, you do...


--
Dave Kerber
Fight spam: remove the ns_ from the return address before replying!

REAL programmers write self-modifying code.

In article .net,
says...

"David Kerber" wrote in message
. ..
In article ,
says...
What is the explanation for the lowering of handlebars from the much
higher
position of the 50's and 60's when they were almost level with the
saddle ?
What does a rider gain from this ?

I assume you mean for racing. If that's what you mean, it's simply that
lower bars allow the rider to get a bit more aerodynamic, and thus go a
bit faster.

It should also be noted that *racers* are usually in their 20-30s, have 5-7%
body fat and ride like 20,000 miles per year. For most everyone else,
"raising" their handlebars would arguably be more beneficial to help
alleviate alot of back and neck pains....

Yep. He didn't ask what the downsides of low bars was; just why they
lowered them.

--
Dave Kerber
Fight spam: remove the ns_ from the return address before replying!

REAL programmers write self-modifying code.

TopCounsel wrote:

If you never take a turn at the front why should the others let you draft
them?

Because they're much stronger than you, or less tired, or don't have
a race the next day and you do.

I'd try to drop someone like that in a heartbeat -- most cyclists would.

That's not very neighborly. There are plenty of reasons to sit in.
I'll offer my wheel to a tired or weaker rider any time. If someone
on the front's looking tired, I invite them to sit in for a while
and take a rest. If the guy in front of me's losing the wheel in
front of him, I'll offer to push him back up to close the gap. When
I'm tired, I expect to get the same treatment. Karma's a good thing.
--
terry morse Palo Alto, CA http://bike.terrymorse.com/