Review of a theory not a product

After meeting who I believe is one of the nicest guys going around at the Tour Down Under I did a bit of reading on the man and this is a review of a theory not a product.

Out for a ride along the beach during a sunny January day I was passed by the Lotto-Belisol team and began talking with Australia's own Adam Hansen. Instead of just 'fobbing' me off as some tourist looking to ride with the pros, he talked and listened to me and my story. After this I saw an interview with Adam in RIDE magazine, after reading this I decided to try out a theory he mentioned, which is one of narrow bars. I originally rode 44cm c-c bars and after much deliberation and thinking I purchased a set of 38cm c-c bars.

Through a bit of logical thinking, physics and maths I believe that narrower bars are beneficial to a cyclists performance.  Logical thinking says that narrower bars bring the hands closer together and in front of the body creating a more aerodynamic form as well as being able to fit through smaller gaps in the bunch. Maths and physics shows that there is less leverage, distance and upper body strength needed to create the same motion as a wider bar.

Past all the theory the real test is, does it work in the real world? Personally I think the answer is yes. Climbing on the tops for me is really no different because my hands sit quite close to the stem. Riding on the hoods is slightly different but after a few hours I am now used to the new position. In the drops actually feels better than ever, coming from a track background I like the twitchy, move at anytime feel of the bike and the narrow bars give me that feeling. Sprinting is on a whole different level, first time going for an all out sprint was against Shannon Johnson, not quite the best person to test things against. I felt a bit awkward, a bit uncoordinated at first but Sunday putting the power down in a sprint out of the last corner in a crit I felt at home again. The bike seems stiffer, more responsive and just all round faster.

In finishing, the feeling may take some time to get used to but definitely in my eyes worth while when wanting a more responsive ride then this is an easy, cheap and effective way of bettering your ride.