Anatomic/Variable Radius.. What does it mean?

[DanPrice]

As title says.

When buying handlebars what is the difference when it says,

Bontrager Race 46cm ANATOMIC
&
Bontrager race 46cm VARIABLE RADIUS

If someone could explain that would be great, thanks very much.

 

[gavintc]

Variable Radius should mean that the curve of the drop is not a constant. The steepness of the angle will either increase or decrease resulting in the radius of the curve being variable.

I think anatomic will suggest the angles and curves will be molded to suit the more typical angles a rider would feel comfortable in.

 

[DanPrice]

Thanks gavintc, much appreciated.

So am i right in saying the "Anatomic" handlebars means the drops are almost semi circled, were as "Variable Radius" is were you have that kind of step in the drops?

Sorry for the very badly worded and explained example, i know what i mean haha!

 

[John the Monkey]

An anatomic bend normally means curve to straight (diagonally angling from the front of the bike (top) towards the rider (bottom)) to flat. The idea is that this provides a pistol grip type position when your hands are in the drop and covering the brakes.

Variable radius would, I guess, mean that a curved bar varies the degree of curve through the drop.

I can't really comment on the latter, as I've only used the classic bend and anatomic bars so far.