Sheldon,
Indeed I was confused, and if not, will never learn at satisfactory rates. However, the main flat bar which is about 1/3 of positions in hand grop translations to/from other bar positions is that width to tapered down.
So although not in the drops which was a specific clamp issue being addressed, the 26mm bars are effectively wider on top main bar.
Depending on different methods of bar manufacturing, it would be interesting to measure different bars with calipers without tape on them at LBS to see how different bars graduate down in different shapes (or manufacturing methods, which shape is only clue). My LBS doesn't really enjoy my 150mm and 6" handy steel rulers, paper, and notepad for some reason, lol. But it is really hard to know how bars are exactly manufactured.
But based on your expert advice, I could think of no finer product than Nitto for stems, bars, and even dual clamp lamp holder for bar shifter crash bar and something to push and pull ratchets to and from other than bars in the verical position (like angled down tube shifters are mounted on stock, sort of)
Thanks for all of your expert commentary. Phil Bailey Sarasota, FL
On 3/2/07, Sheldon Brown <CaptBike@sheldonbrown.com> wrote:
>
> philip bailey wrote:
> >I do like the cost of most 25.4 bars and stems (before multiple $10 shims
> >for various paraphernalia), but 26 bars will be much easier in fitting
> items
> >properly. I also think that 26mm should be proper ergo grip, especially
> for
> >larger males. The OS 31.8 bars are still just 26mm where the hands grip
> it,
> >and are just reinforced at the stem for stability (no real difference
> except
> >price and subjective feelings).
>
> I'm afraid you're confused. The 25.4, 26.0 and 31.8 dimensions only
> refer to the middle of the bar, the bulged area that fits into the
> stem.
>
> Whatever the middle dimension, basically all aluminum bars are 15/16"
> (23.8 mm) at the drops and where the brake levers clamp on.
>
> >So 26mm is effectively state of ergo art
> >(like fat Waterman ball point pens), so 25.4 bars are obsolete as far as
> I'm
> >concerned (but maybe not someone with smaller grips would think so).
>
> Nothing to do with grip size. 25.4 mm (1 inch) is the ISO standard
> bar/stem interface. It is also the size used on all normal upright
> bars and most older drop bars.
>
> >It will
> >be a huge jump from the 22.2mm I'm used to on my 1971 Supercourse. Nitto!
>
> No, it's only 1.6 mm or 1/16".
>
> In drop bars, the 22.2 mm (7/8") size was used for steel bars, with
> 23.8 mm (15/16") for aluminum bars. Steel drop bars are extinct now,
> so 23.8 mm is the only game in town for modern drop bars.
>
> Some of the "oversized" bars 31.8 mm ( 1 1/4") clamp size are fatter
> _above_ the brake mounts, but from the brake mounts down, they're all
> the same standard 23.8 mm. They have to be, or they wouldn't fit
> standard brake levers.
>
> Sheldon "Numbers" Brown
> +--------------------------------------------------+
> | The less you bet, the more you lose if you win |
> | --Alan Rudolph (_Trixie_) |
> +--------------------------------------------------+
> --
> Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
> Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
> http://harriscyclery.com
> Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
> http://captainbike.com
> Useful articles about bicycles and cycling
> http://sheldonbrown.com