Road Bike Handlebars
Like most cycling components, the range of available handlebars has greatly increased during the past several years. The introduction of carbon fiber as a primary material in the construction of bike parts has contributed to a great deal of variety in the types of handlebars available. Of course, the focus on carbon fiber components has also caused prices to skyrocket. Here, we'll try and cut through some of the marketing hype and help you decide which handlebars will best suit your needs.
Carbon Handlebars
Carbon fiber has dramatically increased the variety of handlebars available. As with stems, much of the appeal of carbon is cosmetic or has to do with its contribution to the undefinable "road feel" of the product. Carbon bars, generally, will provide a more muted, smoother ride. Of course, on a carbon frame with carbon wheels, this smoothing effect will be negligible. On a stiff aluminum frame, the increased smoothness can be a godsend. Easton EC90 SLX3 Road Handlebar is top-of-the-line carbon handlebar, as light and stiff as they come. 
The knock on carbon is durability. While no handlebar should ever fail under normal conditions, bars tend to get the worst end of a crash. In general, carbon bars should be discarded, or at least demoted from the race bike in the event of a crash. Carbon can develop internal cracks that, while not immediately visible, severely undermine the structural integrity of the product. Carbon bars can also be damaged by an overtightened clamp.
Aluminum Handlebars
Aluminum bars' features are simple: light weight and reliability. Aluminum is light and extremely rigid. The drawback is that its rigidity limits design possibilities. Many of the more elaborate ergonomic designs and elaborate cable routing methods would compromise their stiffness.
Easton 2009 EA70 Road Handlebar and Ritchey WCS Oversized Road Handlebar are perfectly designed, race-worthy aluminum bars. With a weight comparable to the lightest carbon, a high degree of stiffness and utilitarian design, these bars are at home on top of the hardest climb or the toughest cyclocross course.The Ritchey WCS provides a more dramatic ergo bend popular with crit and cyclocross racers. While these bars may lack the sex appeal of flashy carbon, they match the performance at a much friendlier price.
Clamp Size
A couple of years ago, hard-working bike component engineers realized they could make handlebars lighter and stiffer by increasing the diameter of the bar where it clamps to the stem. This gave rise to the oversize handlebar phenomenon, which is now becoming the standard size. Handlebars are still widely available with 26.0(standard) or 31.8(oversize) clamp sections.
Standard sized bars can be run with an oversized stem by utilizing a Problem Solvers 26.0 To 31.8 Handlebar Shim.
The Bend
Many bars are labeled either ergo or classic bend. This refers to the lower grips or "drops" of the bar. Classic bend bars feature smooth half-circles that transition the tops to the drops. Ergo bars feature a flattened section as the bend approaches the drops, this is designed to accommodate varied riding positions while in the drops.
The graceful arch of classic bend bars tends to make the lower section of the semi-circle difficult to hold onto. When generating a large amount of power, as one usually is while in the drops, it can be very frustrating to be grasping at an area of the handlebars not designed to fit in your hand. Components manufacturers solved the reach problem by flattening out the lower section of the bend to provide a larger surface area to hold onto. Ritchey WCS Oversized Road Handlebar are a good example of a handlebar with a very pronounced ergo section. This exaggerated bend is especially popular with criterium and cyclocross racers who demand a quick switch to their drops.
Track racers are still quite fond of traditional bend handlebars, Deda Pista Track Handlebar features deep drops for big sprints, most road bars sold today offer a more subtle ergo bend like the Easton 2009 EA70 Road Handlebar . If you look closely, the bend is just slightly flattened as it reaches the drops. This design detail goes a long way towards providing comfort on the bike when you need it most.
Width
Handlebars are sized by widths typically ranging from 36-46cm. The rule of thumb is that you want to find a bar that is as wide as your shoulders, so that your arms reach straight down to the drops, rather than slightly in or out. Big powerful sprinters will err on the larger side for bars as they allow you to more leverage for forcing every last bit of power out of the bike.
Choosing Handlebars
So, which bars are for you? Most importantly, find bars you like that fit in your price range. Weight wise, the lightest aluminum bars are comparable to the lightest carbon bars. Price wise, aluminum will almost always win out. If you've experienced a particularly good fit with your ultra-ergo carbon job, then you're probably carbon for life. If you've tried several pairs of aluminum bars but can't quite get your position comfortable, a more ergonomically designed carbon bar may be the answer.
A quick glance over bikes ridden by the pros shows that they ride both carbon and aluminum. Powerful sprinter types tend to ride durable aluminum, while spindly climbers prefer the smoother feel of carbon.
As with any component, there is no one right answer and no holy grail handlebar will turn you into Miguel Indurain. Nothing says bike sexy like glossy carbon parts, but races are won on the highest level with both materials.
At BikeTiresDirect, our staff of cyclists would be happy to help with any questions regarding handlebar selection and compatibility. Feel free to contact us at (800)682-0570 or sales@biketiresdirect.com with any questions.
