25.4, 26.0, or 31.8?

Did you think of asking Industry Hack?

 

That's what I think but it doesn't keep him from posting.

 

I know. I know.

 

I don't even have a clue exactly what you guys are talking about!!! Is this a measurement of height, stiffness or something else altogether?

Pardon my stupidity, but I'm always confused, keeps em guessing

DrB

 

Bar diameter.

I've never heard of 25.4. I think most new road bikes come with 31.8 unless you use Deda bars which are marked .1 different but use the same stem.

 

Now I get it, thanks eaton...actually I knew this, it just didn't register in the higher centers I guess. My LBS told me about this when I was having trouble getting a light system to fit...

DrB

 

I knew that!!!!

But why change

 

Everybody uses 31.8 now, being stiffer so there's your size... now all you need to decide is the type of bend (classic, ergo, etc etc) the reach and the drop and of course what material... alu (2000, 6000 or 7000) with or without carbon wrap or a moncoque carbon. And then the stem length, angle, material, construction. Even when limiting the scope to the handlebar and stem there's quite a lot to think about and decide upon! On one of my bikes (LOOK KG451) I went with a LOOK Monocoque (only carbon) stem to absorb road buzz and ITM Millenium Wing bars which are alu with a carbon wrapping. My other LOOK (KG381) I'm building up just now and I have been going through all these questions in the last few weeks (ain't this a great hobby?!) and I've decided upon a monocque bar (great deal on ebay) for even more vibration absorbtion and a ITM Visia carbon stem.

 

I would be very afraid to use that 26.0 stem.....With the obscene amounts of power that you are known to generate I would think anything any smaller than a 31.8 would simply twist up into a noodle shape!!!!!!!! You have been warned!

 

I am using a Ritchey pro bar on my bike(a 31.8 though).
It is attached to a Ritchey pro 110mm/10* stem.
No issues for me. I like them.