angled or straight bar

[Torvi]

is there any difference in performance between angled down handle bar against straight lined? ive been looking around sites and spotted that every expensiver bike got whole bar angled a little down, why is it so?

 

[vickster]

What type of bike?

 

[Torvi]

road

 

[vickster]

What is angled? I don't follow what you mean...maybe someone else does?!

Post some pictures...where are you seeing these?

 

[MisterStan]

Are you talking about the stem?

 

[Torvi]

im talking about red circled parts, sorry english isnt my native.

 

[MisterStan]

In that case, i would think that the setup is down to personal preference/comfort more than anything else.

 

[jack smith]

Drop bars they are called basically drop bars offer more positions to ride in and you can get faster positions on drop bars, flat bars are just one position and often used for biginners or people who want more upright postions

 

[User16625]

Just to confuse OP a bit:

Time trial bikes tend to use a different set of bars. They give a much more aerodynamic position apparently.

 

[raleighnut]

Its cos the Pro's do it.

 

[Torvi]

yeah i saw these too and am still asking myself if it's still a bicycle or something else

well i dropped my bars a bit so the tips are slightly pointing upwards and tbh i feel close to no difference, the diff i feel now is that im forced to ride on drops 99% of the time instead 95% purely because holding my hands on shifters has became bit less comfortable but speedwise no diff or im just doing it wrong ;P

 

[raleighnut]

yeah i saw these too and am still asking myself if it's still a bicycle or something else

well i dropped my bars a bit so the tips are slightly pointing upwards and tbh i feel close to no difference, the diff i feel now is that im forced to ride on drops 99% of the time instead 95% purely because holding my hands on shifters has became bit less comfortable but speedwise no diff or im just doing it wrong ;P

No you'll get no speed difference its just less comfortable and less hand positions, and uncomfortable to use the drop portion when climbing hills.

 

[youngoldbloke]

One opinion is that the bottom tips of the bars should be pointing slightly down, and certainly NOT upward. The shifter hoods should be more or less horizontal, as in photo 1, and NOT sloping down towards the front. Depends a lot on the shape of the bars. The bars in photo 2 look to be a little 'old fashioned' (it is a much older bike) compared to photo 1. 'Compact' bars, as in photo 1, are very much 'in' at the moment.

 

[guitarpete247]

Have a look at this site for geometry of different drop bar styles and shapes.

 

[Roadrider48]

Experiment a bit and use whatever is most comfortable for you.