Before changing the handlebars on your bicycles, it’s paramount to understand the different types available and their benefits. Particularly, you ought to ask yourself, “are bullhorn handlebars good?” if you enjoy cycling aggressively.
Bullhorn handlebars are good for aggressive biking since they are famous for speed and stability. Their design makes you ride in an aerodynamic position, translating to better bicycle control and more climbing and sprinting power. They also provide a lightweight solution for stability and comfort.
Your riding experience depends on various bike parts, with the handlebars playing a significant role. Therefore, you should invest in handlebars suitable to your riding style to get the best from your bike.
For that reason, let’s examine Bullhorn handlebars to see if they suit you.
What Are Bullhorn Handlebars?
These are handlebars designed to curve forward and up, thus differentiating them from flat handlebars. In addition, they provide three positions for the rider’s hands- on the horns, sides/drops, and the flats (top).
The horns allow you to ride more aggressively, so use them to pedal harder, assume an aerodynamic position to ride faster. However, this forward position usually needs a stretch.
On the other hand, the flats allow you to sit upright while riding, making them ideal for a relaxing ride. However, some cyclists may feel less stable due to their limited grasp.
Generally, these bars are excellent for riders who enjoy fast and hard rides and prefer being out of their saddles.
Are Bullhorn Handlebars Good? (Strengths & Weaknesses)
You can’t claim that bullhorn handlebars are good or bad without dissecting their strengths and weaknesses.
Bullhorn Handlebars Advantages
Here are the things that make the handlebars great.
1. Amazing Aerodynamics
The construction design of bullhorn bars allows you to bend forward while cycling, putting you in an aerodynamic position. This is because you can get lower, lowering your resistance to wind, which helps you move faster since you aren’t creating drag.
They come with a 40mm drop for aggressive and comfortable forward riding. Moreover, these bars help you keep your cycling momentum.
2. Sturdy And Durable
Since these bars are aluminum-made, they are durable, sturdy, rust-resistant, and lightweight. They also deliver a steady cycling experience and top-notch bike control.
3. Excellent Climbing Power
Flat handlebars usually give you sufficient room to assume a more forward position when climbing. On the other hand, bullhorn bars provide space and the ultimate leverage when leaning forward.
They also facilitate firm foot positioning on the bike pedals, making pedaling uphill more efficient. For these reasons, bullhorn bars are excellent for off-road riding and mountain biking.
4. They Are Aesthetically Appealing
Since bullhorn handlebars curve forward and up, they give the bike an appealing athletic look. With these bars, your bicycle will look sassy, stylish, edgy, and cool.
5. They Generate Speed
Racing bikes typically have handlebars that promote an aerodynamic riding position because it reduces drag and help the rider pedal harder. Like drop bars, bullhorn bars allow you to lean forward, making you aerodynamic.
They also provide the pedaling leverage you require to cycle fast.
Cyclists who want to ride fast should go for pursuit bars, a form of bullhorn handlebars popularly renowned for providing the ultimate speed. They have a drop that lets you lean deeper than standard bullhorn bars, giving you better leverage and improving your speed.
I recommend BW 44cm Pursuit Handlebar (View on Amazon), available in multiple colors (black, blue, green, red, and orange). It’s compatible with a 31.8mm clamp and weighs 280 grams.
6. They Are Affordable
Bullhorn bars are sold at reasonable prices. When you consider their affordable prices with the quality, you will realize that these handlebars provide value for your money.’
Bullhorn Bars Disadvantages
Bullhorn handlebars are lower and shorter than flat handlebars, meaning they offer less room; hence you can easily make a sharp turn. There’s a high probability of accidents due to the added front clearance.
Moreover, since they move your body weight forward, they aren’t the safest riding downhill because you can easily lose control of your bicycle.
You will also experience fatigue if you ride longer with these handlebars because they make you ride leaning forward.
Tips For Choosing The Best Bullhorn Handlebars
You don’t have to look too hard to find bullhorn bars, but not all are suitable for you, so you must choose carefully. Here’s are the essential tips.
a) The Material
make sure the bullhorn handlebar you get is aluminum-made because it offers sturdy fitness and is lightweight. In addition, ensure it’s rust-resistant.
b) The Clamp Diameter
Your bullhorn bar’s diameter must be perfect for comfortable riding and proper spacing. You have a choice between a stem clamp with a diameter of 31.8mm or 25.4mm.
Make sure the handlebar you pick will fit your bike.
c) The Width
It’s wise to tailor-make your bicycle handlebars to suit you because too wide bars exert pressure on your arms and neck. On the other hand, you’ll feel cramped on narrow ones.
Your ideal size is the distance separating the two bony shoulder bits. For instance, if the distance is 38cm, your perfect bullhorn bar is 38 cm.
However, you can choose to slightly go higher for the stability provided by wider handlebars.
d) The Handlebar Angle
the bar’s angle provides flexibility while cycling. Therefore, make sure your bullhorn handlebars’ middle part is perfectly straight to facilitate smooth turns.
However, if you want to ride aggressively, ensure it has a gentle curve.
e) Suitability
You must pick a bullhorn bar compatible with your bike and suits your cycling style. For instance, UPANBIKE Bike Bullhorn Handlebar (View on Amazon) is an excellent bar perfect for fixie bikes, road bikes, and messenger-style bicycles.
f) The Cost
Besides ensuring you can afford the initial cost of a bullhorn bar, you must also account for the maintenance expenses. Keep in mind that bike bars require extra maintenance and care for longevity.
FAQs
1. Should I Get Bullhorn Handlebars?
Bullhorn handlebars are perfect for you if you love riding aggressively. These bars transfer your body weight to the bike’s handlebar, relieving pressure on your back, resulting in a more comfortable, faster, and swift ride.
They are excellent for roadies designed for a longer and faster cycling experience because these bars provide back support.
2. Can You Put Bullhorn Handlebars On Any Bike?
Bullhorn handlebars work for all types of road bicycles, fixed-gear bikes, commuter bikes, and single-speed bikes. They offer three hand positions and are aerodynamic.
3. Are Bullhorn Handlebars Comfortable?
Bullhorn handlebars are comfortable because their 40mm drop you comfortably lean forward while riding aggressively.
In addition, since they move your body weight to the bicycle’s bars, they relieve your back strain, allowing you to cycle more comfortably.
4. Are Bullhorn Handlebars Dangerous?
Bullhorn bars can be dangerous because riding in an aerodynamic position limits your visibility, putting you in danger of accidents. However, once you get accustomed to cycling with them, you can comfortably do it with your eyes on the road, not down.
5. What Are Bullhorn Handlebars Used For?
Bullhorn handlebars are used for cycling aggressively, offering enjoyable, worthwhile rides on paved roads and off-roads. They provide excellent hand positioning and leave you feeling in control of your bicycle without fitting in road bicycle brakes.
6. How Do You Ride Bullhorn Handlebars?
You can ride bullhorn bars with your hands either on the sides/drops, horns, or flats/ tops. The horns put in a more aggressive riding position, while the flats let you cycle in a more upright position.
In Summary, Are Bullhorn Handlebars Good?
Bullhorn bars minimize wind drag and promote fast cycling, which are things every aggressive cyclist wants to hear. Moreover, they offer a much more desirable hill climbing experience because, unlike fat handlebars, they don’t give your body any room while you pedal uphill.
Also, read: Why Are Road Bike Handlebars Curved?
