The Best Bicycle Handlebars

The Best Bicycle Handlebars

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Regardless of what kind of bike you own, handlebars are an important component. Handlebars are your main point of control and as a weight-bearing component, they play a large part in the comfort of your ride. The best bicycle handlebars are shaped to accommodate a cyclist's grip, whether he's sitting or standing. The top handlebars also absorb the shocks that come with a road or trail ride, and are light enough to keep from slowing a rider down.

Syncros Bulk

With its toughness and ability to absorb shock on downhill sections, Syncros' Bulk handlebars are an option for mountain bikers. BikeRadar.com called the Bulk "light, low, wide and well damped," noting its light weight as well as its toughness. Calling it "proper tough playmate," BikeRadar.com also recognized the Bulk's responsive, absorbent feel, noting it was effective for brake-heavy downhill descents as well as long-distance alpine rides.

Bontrager Race XXX Lite VR

Absorbent yet stiff, Bontrager's XXX Lite VR handlebars are a versatile option for road cyclists. The XXX Lite's carbon fiber materials are able to dampen road shock, but are stiff enough to support a rider during a sprint. In a Gear of the Day review, Bicycling.com drew attention to the XXX Lite's adjustability, noting its variable radius drops to accommodate a range of comfort zones and that "they're impressively light at 182 grams."

Syntace Duraflite Carbon

For cross-country mountain bike racing, Syntace's Duraflite Carbon is a tough, lightweight option. Carbon fiber material with a titanium mesh combine sturdiness and speed. In addition, the Duraflite's shape is comfortable and gives riders control on the trail. Recognizing the Duraflite's "amazing strength-to-weight" ratio, BikeRadar.com noted the light weight and sweep, calling it comfortable, powerful and an efficient choice "for riders looking to wring maximum speed from their rides."

Article Written By Billy Brown

Billy Brown is an outdoor sports writer living in Northern California. An avid rock climber and trail runner, he's been writing about outdoor activities, fitness and gear since 2005. He regularly contributes to "The Record Searchlight," uncooped.com, and Trails.com, as well as other print and online publications. Brown holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Simpson University and is a NASM-certified personal trainer.

Write for Trails.com
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