bobonker

Trek uses Bontrager VR-C bars on a lot of their current stuff. I like them a lot. Specialized makes a similar bar (with shorter reach) called the "Shallow Bend Expert".

I used the women's version of the Specialized bars on my wife's bike and that plus repositioning the shifters has made a world of difference. You need to able to brake from the drops on a long fast descent. If you're braking only from the hoods, you'll tire your hands out real fast and won't be able to slow the bike down enough. It's a lose-lose. From the drops, it's easy to generate enough pressure to throw yourself over the bars (not a good idea).

Bob

noise boy

Everything I have seen and read about that style bars says that the bottoms should be pointing at the rear QR which puts the tops and bends parallel with the ground.

kevrider

i wonder about that. the bars on both of my bikes are level, same as my former bike, and that seems right to me. my roomies bars are level on the bottom instead of the top, which seems wrong. but he apparently doesn't to mind.

Cdy291

This is what I immediatly thought of.

M. Rhoten

I had a problem to the OP's, and tried a dozen different bar/brifter positions. I ended up chucking the ergo bars that came with my bike, and getting some traditional-bend Grand Cru bars from VO. The bend keeps the bar closer to the brake levers, whereas the ergo bars seemed to keep the bar artificially far from the lever. The levers still don't bottom out, and now I can keep the pads adjusted snug (like I like them). As a bonus, I like the look better. That was $50 well spent for me.

blacksquid

Can you point me to the info you have regarding handlebar position?

I ride Campy with FSA Compact Wing bars on both my road bikes. I've tried Deda Newton and Deda 215 Deep bars, both of which are classic bend bars. FSA and Cinelli show recommended bar installations for all of their respective handlebars with no more than 3-5% off horizontal for the bottom of the bars. The Campy Ergo shifter installation PDF also shows placement of the shifter with the bottom of the brake blade in line with the bottom of the bar which is either parallel to the ground for classic bend bars or <3% for ergo-style bars.

I don't know the make and model of the OPs handlebars but they *may* be more of a classic bend bar with a steeper ramp to the shift lever. A lot of newer bars are coming out with a flatter transition from the top of the bars to the shifter which is more comfortable for riding on the hoods.

All that being said, whatever is comfortable for your riding style is what you should do.