Traditional Shape and Size
For most of my cycling life, I rode on traditionally deep (D-shaped) traditional road bike handlebars. They were all 44 cm wide (center to center) on the drops. The 'traditional' measurement for 'matching' handlebars was that they should 'be as wide as the rider's shoulders, in my case 44 cm.
Development
While watching the last few years' road racing Classics and Grand Tours, it became quite noticeable, that some changes were going on regarding handlebar widths and shapes. One influence came surely from Gravel Bikes, where handlebars are typically narrower on the hoods and flared to wider drops. In the case of below Ritchey Comp Beacon, these handlebars start from 40 cm on the top and 55 cm on the drop, a difference of 15 cm!
The wider drops are meant to balance Gravel Bikes on difficult off-road terrain, similar to the wider handlebars on Mountain Bikes. But for tarmac, these flared-out drops are, in my opinion, not necessary.
Still, the narrowest handlebar in the pro peloton is used by the Dutch pro rider Jan-Willem van Schip, measuring 30 cm on the hoods and 32 cm (c--c) on the drops. It might look extreme when a 194 cm (6 ft 4 in) tall rider is racing on such small handlebars. But he carried this interpretation for a narrower and more aerodynamic handlebar over from his track bike...
I am not an extremist concerning handlebar aerodynamics, but I was considering a change from my traditional setup. I had two new Deda RHM 02 handlebars in a kind of rough (raw) black finish with bright red/white 'team color' graphics lying around. For my idea of a different setup, I've picked the narrower, Deda officially outer-outer sized 42 cm (or traditionally 40 cm center-center) in favor of my usual 44 cm (center-center) wide handlebar. A difference of 4 cm in total or 2 cm on each side.
Deda's Origin
Deda is actually the short form of Dedacciai, an Italian engineering and manufacturing company of cycling tube sets (alloy, aluminum, titanium, carbon), established in 1992. The company sponsors several pro-tour teams like Lotto Soudal, UAE Team Emirates, etc., and some athletes.
Technical (Manufacturer's Specs)
Name: Deda RHM 02
Material: Alloy 6061, double-butted cold drawn
Cable Routing: No integrated cables, cables under the handlebar
Width: 42 cm (outside-outside), 40 cm (center-center)
Clamp Diameter: 31.7 mm (see below)
Finish: rough black with red/white team graphics
Weight: 295 grams
Price: GB£ 10.81 (~US$ 15.03, 2021/7/31)
Origin: My handlebars were marked 'made in Taiwan' on a sticker attached to the brown handle of the packing.
Deda's Own Terms
RHM
stands for Deda's own patented (!) Rapid Hand Movement. The very compact 75 mm reach* and 128 mm drop* 'naturally' support quick hand movements. The top has a comfortable, nearly uniform 31.7 mm diameter thick round shape; the cables are hidden under a lower flat part. Deda calls this an 'aero top cross section' but after the final wrap in bar tape, there is not much 'aero' left.
*reach: the distance the bar extends from the clamp area,
*drop: the distance the bar drops from the clamp area.
Clamp Diameter 31.7 mm
The measurement of the handlebar's clamp diameter is based on the tube diameter of 1 1/4" inches. Converted into mm this becomes 31.75 mm. Most manufacturers round this (mathematically incorrect) up to 31.8 mm while the Italians round this down to 31.7 mm. Both of my Kalloy Uno and Ritchey WCS stems come with official 31.8 mm clamps, they fit the Deda handlebars (31.7 mm) perfectly.
Width Measurement
differs, you've guessed it, from other manufacturers. My officially Deda 42 cm handlebar is measured outside-outside on the drops. By the international standard of center to center (c-c), this would be 2 cm smaller or 'only' 40 cm wide. When you purchase a Deda road handlebar, you should be aware of the company's own measurements!
Montage
The montage is a straightforward affair:
1. I fix the handlebar on the stem, then I roughly add each STI shifter (shifter/brake lever combination) to the bar. The RHM 02 does not have any shifter/brake lever markings, so the mechanic has to measure to get a straight alignment.
2. The bar does not come with inner cable routing; a recessed area under the bar is all there is. Therefore, there is only the traditional way to fix the outer cable guide with electrical tape.
Note:
Before finally wrapping your handlebar, I suggest doing a test ride. At that point, it is easy to re-align the brake/shifter levers to your specific needs.
3. Wrap your handlebar.
Riding Experience
My reservations about using a 40 cm instead of my usual 44 cm wide handlebar were totally unfounded after riding several 100 km. On the contrary, the 4 cm narrower bar let the whole bike feel more agile and nimble; it is a joy slicing through tight corners. I feel livelier and faster even with my two beloved stem/bar bottle bags attached. Surprisingly, I did not notice anything negative in terms of handling and comfort.
I can't explain why, but I found myself riding on the drops of the narrower bar more frequently. It might be that I enjoy cheating the wind with a lower position more than before.
A very positive side effect from switching to a narrower handlebar became very obvious after longer rides. I combined the shorter reach of the narrower handlebar with a longer stem (from 120 to 130 mm); since this marginal change, I am riding pain-free. Previously, I've noticed some minor neck and shoulder pain on rides over 4 hours.
Verdict
Looking back, I think every rider should at least try narrower road handlebars. Not only as a slight aerodynamic advantage but more as a different riding experience. Before tasting a different bar I advise lending a friend's bike to get some feel for it. Within a very short time, I adjusted my new riding position and feel kind of odd riding my wider handlebar on the other bike which setup I've used for many years.
I've noticed that my shifting with integrated shift/brake road bike levers became smoother. My arms on the narrower handlebar were positioned rather inside than parallel to the shoulders; a more natural position. I catch myself riding often on the hoods with my hands right beside the stem, giving an even more aero position.
Delicate Black Finish
My only gripe is the black 'rough' finish. I am a sweater, especially in high humidity and high-temperature Taiwan. My sweat leaves a kind of white residue on the otherwise nice black finish. The salty imprints have to be cleaned quite often. While fibers of tissue will stick on the handlebar I have to resort to a glass cleaner with woven cloth. My other Deda RHM 02 handlebar is painted white, no sweat sticks on it, and therefore no cleaning is necessary.
Shorts
+ Plus:
premium look, great handling, good comfort, reasonable price, reasonable weight
- Minus:
'rough' black finish is 'sensitive' to sweat and tissues
I would not hesitate to buy the same handlebars again; they feel great, look nice and the Rapid Hand Movement is working nicely.
#Dedacciai #Deda #RHM 02 #31.7
Ride carefully, Gerhard
A Word of Caution
Always ride with a helmet and in a way that you are in control of the bike and not the other way around. Ride responsibly and defensively, and be prepared for a worst-case scenario! It is senseless to gain some seconds but spends weeks to recover in a hospital and/or at home for a stupid action! You, your body, your parents, your family, and your friends will surely appreciate your precautions before, during, and after a bike ride.
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