I’ve been having some trouble feeling comfortable on my new bike (second picture) and I think it has to do with the drop bars. My last bike (first picture) was set up really comfortably for me but I didn’t pay attention to what kind of handlebars it had before it was stolen (🥲). Does anyone know what the difference is between the drop bars and what the ones in the first picture are called? Appreciate the help!
by BrightAmbassador4091
5 Comments
Those are the same, except in the second picture, the brake levers are closer to the correct position. The levers are way too high in the first pic.
If you flip the rubber up to expose where the lever connects to the handlebar, you’ll see a band clamp, which you can loosen to move the position of the lever.
Yeah, this is going to be a bit of a historical challenge.
This is even assuming these are Cinelli handlebars; it is not a guarantee that a Cinelli frame came with Cinelli bars.
This is not the best pictures but it does have most of the models I know of. [https://www.hilarystone.com/handlebars.html](https://www.hilarystone.com/handlebars.html)
My guess is Model 64.
Your current bike has more of a traditional road bike drop bar. Your old one looks like more of a modern gravel-y drop bar. It has a shorter reach, more angled drop, and might even be a little flared (hard to tell at this angle).
Try to find the model of your current bars. Find it on http://www.whatbars.com (or one with similar geometry) and compare profiles to one that’s more familiar to your old one.
Both handlebars are set incorrectly, second are bit better. Upper part must be horizontal and levers more forward, in line with the bar.
The old bars look like a compact or gravel style with a shorter reach and a more pronounced drop, which is why your wrists felt comfier on them. The new ones are classic road bars, deeper and longer, so your hands end up in a more stretched out position. If you want that old feel back, search for compact drop bars with around 70 to 80mm reach and a decent flare, then check whatbars.com to compare profiles before you buy.