| One of the growing trends in cycling is the ability to | | | | body forwards with his hands on the bottom part of |
| create your own bike built to your own specifications. | | | | the C. |
| You can do this by going to a specialist bike builder but | | | | Flat Handlebars |
| that can get really expensive. One of the ways a lot | | | | Flat handlebars are the type of handlebar you normally |
| of people end up with a custom built bike is through the | | | | see on a mountain bike. These tend to have a more |
| gradual customisation of their existing bike. | | | | or less straight tube which may curve very slightly |
| One of the first things that tends to be changed in the | | | | towards the rider. |
| handlebar and this could be for a couple of reasons. | | | | Riser Handlebars |
| Firstly, because the riding position isn't quite right for the | | | | Riser handlebars are a variation of the flat handlebar |
| rider, maybe they have to have too much of their | | | | mentioned above but they rise upwards from the |
| body weight over the handlebars making them feel | | | | centre clamp area. This design allows for a shorter |
| unstable or maybe the handlebars feel too far away | | | | distance to the rider's hands and so will allow him to |
| to control the bike properly. The other reason is | | | | adopt a riding position where his body isn't so much |
| essentially to enhance the looks of your bike and to | | | | over the front wheel. |
| maybe make it stand out a little from everyone else. | | | | Pursuit Handlebars |
| New handlebars are one of the easiest changes to | | | | Pursuit handlebars, which are also sometimes known |
| make which will address all of the above. | | | | as bull horn handlebars because of their appearance. |
| There are many different types of handlebar design | | | | Their use comes from dedicated track racing where |
| available as after-market products to help you resolve | | | | the position is ideal for pursuit riding. One way in which |
| a problem with your riding position or simply to enhance | | | | you could make your own bullhorn handlebars if you |
| the looks of your bike. | | | | have a road bike is to cut the drop off your drop |
| Drop Handlebars | | | | handlebars and remount them upside down. This won't |
| Drop handlebars are the type of handlebar you | | | | be a perfect solution but it will give you a similar riding |
| traditionally see on road bikes or track cycles. They | | | | position. |
| have a short straight tube which then bends away | | | | There are many other variations of the above which |
| from the rider and drops into a deep C shape. This | | | | have been developed for different purposes and |
| allows the rider to adopt a number of riding positions. A | | | | specialisms and it is always worth having a good look |
| casual ride may mean a more upright position with the | | | | around at what'a available as there is bound to be |
| hands resting on top of the handlebars. A racing | | | | something that will give you the effect you are looking |
| position will more than likely require the rider to drop his | | | | for. |