Bars

Awwww! :]

Most of the top sprinters use 38cm these days, and 40's on their road bikes

I've got nittos 40cm on my fixed trainer, love the shape of those, they are really comfy. Might put them on my main bike for the season.

Great for squeezing your way through those bunches..

Most of the top sprinters use 38cm these days

Why? What's the benefit of 38's

You're more aero = faster.

Great for squeezing your way through those bunches..

Lack of space prompts stem-mounted computer.

Mountain bike bars are getting wider and wider these days. Most of what happens with mtb gear is trend related.

Another answer as to why I have 42s is that the cinelli chromo bars that I have don't come in any other size!

I can't see there being a huge aerodynamic difference unless you have narrow shoulders (actually many top sprinters do, look at jamie staff and jason kenny FI) maybe it's a control issue? narrower bars wil give less leverage which should mean they are harder to turn at high speeds which= good for track.

It would mean you could be aero, but also elbows out at the same time if necessary.

42 (o-o) was the smallest option available in the bars I wanted, and I think that's fine for enduro-type stuff, and let's face it, that's what I'll be doing most of.

I used 40s (nitto) last year. And also used 38s before I got my Nelson. I find both very comfortable, I think I have fairly narrow shoulders.

I have some Nitto 36 sitting around on my desk gathering dust if someone wants em, could get through any gap with them.

Most of the top sprinters use 38cm these days, and 40's on their road bikes

Do you use 38's Lee? Wouldn't they be less productive when out of the saddle sprinting?

Nittos are measured c-c, isit?

Mine are. I have 123 cromo 400mm, which are 400mm c to c, and have no plans to change them.

I think I use 40s.
I tried 36 on the track and they were way too narrow.

Are most other bars measured full width then?

I have the 125s on my Nelson, which I think are slightly squarer and shorter drop than my 123s.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Easton-Carbon-Track-Bars_W0QQitemZ330391189896QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR?hash=item4cecd97988

BARgain

Think Mike uses those?? Very posh!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Easton-Carbon-Track-Bars_W0QQitemZ330391189896QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR?hash=item4cecd97988

BARgain

They are 115-120 new from the states.

The 38s that sold last night where a bargain at $54 (£33)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140370787167&ssPageName=STRK:MEDWX:IT

I have the 125s on my Nelson, which I think are slightly squarer and shorter drop than my 123s.

Yeah, I've got the 125s chromos on my roberts, I'll probably get a stiff mtb stem and put them on my main bike though because I like them so much. I hedged my bets (when I started this thread) and bought both bars that seemed suitable.

Yes I do use those. I think they are pretty good and strong. They stood up to the crash pretty well.

One thing I have noticed since doing a lot of roller training is that when I am on the drops my heart rate increases and I can not go as quick as when on the hoods without going about a certain HR. My thighs also bash into my lower abdomen.
What is the reason for this and will I benefit from turngin my stem upside down so I have a 10degree rise instead of a 10degree slope.

Anyone got any thoughts

Interesting, Mike. I have a similar problem, I have an abnormally large ribcage which sticks out quite a lot, and now my legs are getting bigger they hit my ribcage when riding on the drops. Not sure what I'm going to do about that yet.

I use some old flip and cut bars on the turbo for comfort. Will maybe change back to drops shortly before the season starts. I feel much more comfortable on the drops on the road/track than I do on the turbo for some reason.

it's pretty normal that your HR goes up for the same power output when you're in the drops.
HR goes up in the drops, I think, because you need to use your upper body a bit more. Also the movement of hip joint/thighs are slightly more restricted(depends a bit on your flexibility, of course). but in real life, aero advantage of being in the drops are far greater when you're not in the bunch/working at the front.

Mike-Rob,

I do bike fits, £50 if you come down and see me, £25 if they are part of one of our camps you are on. Should be able to sort those problems pretty quickly for you.

Re the bars, narrower on the whole are more aero-dynamic, no you dont want to point your elbows out that robs you of roughly 50-75watts at sprint race speeds

you soon get used to the narrower bars and no they dont make out the saddle efforts any harder

I use 40cm on every bike

^elbows a bit out at times though. Obviously not full tilt, but winding up in the keirin, holding position in the devil, etc, etc?