Why Are Road Bike Handlebars Curved? (Quick Answer!)

There are various types of bike handlebars, ranging from curved to flat and other variations. However, curved handlebars are mainly seen in handlebars, so you are probably asking, why are road bike handlebars curved?

Road bikes have curved handlebars because they allow the rider to be more aerodynamic, reducing drag translating to stable cornering and achieve higher speeds. They also give you different ways to position your hands, so you can shift your hands during long rides, relieving pressure and weight.

Understanding the benefits of curved handlebars is essential to enjoying your road bike better, and this article will answer this. You should also find out why road bikes are so expensive.

Why Are Road Bike Handlebars Curved? Curved Vs. Flat Bars

Drop handlebars are the standard bars for most road bikes, whether entry-level or advanced-level bikes. However, to fully understand why that’s the case, you need to get a clear picture of what they offer by comparing them to flat bars.

Curved handlebars are more comfortable, aerodynamic, and better for climbing. Drop bars are essentially three handlebars packaged into one, comprising the drops, the hoods, and the tops.

1. Comfort

Riding a bike can be tiring, especially on a road bike where you often assume a forward-leaning position that exerts more weight on your hands. Handlebars drastically affect your comfort levels while riding.

Your hands can become numb because of your wrists’ position and constant vibrations, particularly on long rides. Drop bars give you a wide scope to find the best hand positioning based on the terrain and let you shift your hands more.

On the other hand, flat bars don’t offer the same amount of freedom which potentially makes your hands uncomfortable and numb during long rides. With curved handlebars, you can put your hands on the drops, the tops, or the brake hoods.

2. Aerodynamics

Since road bikes are built for speed, you expect your bike to offer desirable speeds. However, some of the energy you generate from pedaling is lost to drag or air resistance.

Although drag is something you’ll constantly deal with while riding your bike, that doesn’t mean you can’t lower it. Lowering your frontal area while riding helps you cut through air efficiently without delving much into aerodynamic technicalities.

You’ll go faster when leaning low and forward than in an upright position using the same energy. You become more aerodynamic the narrower and smaller you are, but you must rely on other ways since you cannot shrink yourself.

A curved handlebar does this better than flat handlebars. A road bike sits you up high, and you must lean down to reach the handlebars; hence you sustain that aerodynamic position.

3. The Width

Curved handlebars are narrower compared to flat bars, lowering your frontal area, which presents more aerodynamic advantages. In addition, it also allows you to dip between and dodge vehicles more comfortably than you would with a flat bar.

Although curved handlebars make road bikes more efficient machines, they are not free of shortcomings. These handlebars are hard to handle, especially when descending, and the STI shifters and brake levers are positioned oddly.

However, don’t worry; you’ll learn to control your roadie effortlessly after a couple of rides.

Can You Change Road Bike Handlebars To Flat?

It is possible to convert the handlebars on your road bike from curved to flat and achieve fantastic results. To do so, you’ll need to get flat handlebars, brake levers, shifters, grips, cable stops, and stems.

Let’s dig into every component.

1. Handlebars

Flat handlebars are built using different materials like aluminum alloy. Flat handlebars are simple, versatile, cheaper, excellent for climbing, and have minimal lower backload.

They also let you carry more items. Ensure you pick the best flat handlebar for your road bike to make sure your roadie handles the road effectively.

Before buying the handlebars, measure the contact point diameter and the handlebars width. You can use the old handlebar as a reference if it’s the correct size.

Determine the handlebar’s width by the bicycle’s wheels size and your shoulder’s width.

Flat handlebars come in various designs, shapes, and prices range from as low as $25 and go up to  $200 depending on the material.

When shopping for the flat bars for your road bike, consider the UPANBIKE Mountain Bike Road Bike Handlebar (Amazon Link).

The UPANBIKE handlebar is aluminum alloy-made and fits nearly all bike types like road bikes and mountain bikes.  It is 600mm long, has a clamp diameter of 25.4mm, and the diameter of the bar ends is 22.2mm.

2. Stems

The clamp diameter is a standard road bike is 26mm, while a majority of flat handlebars’ clamp diameter is 25.4mm. Due to the differences, you will have to either change the stem or use a shim.

Since the reason for shifting to flat handlebars is to raise the handlebar’s height for comfort, you’d better invest in a new taller stem.

If your bike’s headset is threaded, go for a tall quill stem, such as SUNLITE Adjustable Quill Stem (Amazon link). It’s a solid stem that’s easy to install and raises your handlebars.

3. Brake Levers

Since most roadies have caliper brakes while flat handlebars levers are designed for V-brakes, you’ll have to change the brake levers to install flat bars. Failure to do so leads to a common error seen in flat-bar conversations.

Brake levers will cost you about $10 to $120, depending on the material used to make them and the lever’s quality.

4. Shifters

You will need to buy shifters for flat bars to replace the old drop bra shifters. Most roadies are made with 2 or 3 chainrings for a 7 to 10 crankset.

You require one shifter for the front derailleur and one for the back, amounting to two shifters.

Make sure the shifters you get are compatible with your bike’s drive systems, especially the crankset and cassette. The wrong shifters lead to cracking sounds, bad and hard shifting, and chain jumping and slipping, leading to damage or breakage of drivetrain components.

5. Cable stops

You must fix cable stops in place if your bicycle had downtube shifters.

6. Grips

The grips you get will affect your bike’s gear shifting and braking control capabilities and your arm and hand positioning, so choose wisely. The right grips will help make your riding more comfortable and manageable.

The choices are hardy cork grips, plush leather grips, silicon grips, and deluxe ergon grips. The decision is entirely yours, so ensure you choose the ones you like most and feel comfortable.

Can You Get A Road Bike With Straight Handlebars?

Although curved handlebars are one of the main telltale signs of road bikes, some have flat handlebars, allowing the rider to cycle upright. These bikes appeal to riders looking for a steady grip similar to mountain bikes and ride in an upright position with the benefits of a road bike.

The main attraction with flat bar roadies is the more comfortable handlebars which are easier to manage. If you crave the exhilarating experience of riding a lightweight, fast bike but dread curved handlebars, a flat road bike is for you.

Flat bar road bikes have lightweight forks and frames, which helps the bicycle overcome gravity to climb more efficiently.  They also have fast wheels that have smooth threads, which lower rolling resistance.

In addition, they come with mountain bike-like brakes (v-brakes) and controls. The gear and brake levers are easy to reach and operate than curved handlebars gear and brake levers.

FAQs

1. Why Do Road Bikes Have Drop Handlebars?

Drop handlebars on road bikes make riders more aerodynamic because it helps you ride low rather than in an upright position, so the air goes past your body easily. Additionally, your wrists don’t have to go numb since you can switch your hands’ positions across different parts.

2. Can You Put Straight Handlebars On A Road Bike?

You can replace the curved handlebars on your road bike with straight handlebars to create a more upright riding position. Do so by finding the correctly sized, reliable flat handlebar and other essential components like a shifter, brake levers, grips, and a shim or stem.

3. Why Do Road Bikes Have Curved Handlebars?

Road bikes have curved handlebars because they provide more positions to out your hands while riding. This capability comes in handy during long bike rides since you can shift your positioning, lowering fatigue.

4. Why Do Some Road Bikes Have Flat Handlebars?

Some road bikes have flat handlebars because they are more comfortable; hence they cater to riders who hate riding in a forward-leaning position which is mainly seen in most road bicycles. Flat bars also give you more control, so even beginner cyclists can handle it seamlessly, unlike the drop bar roadies.

Beginner riders can steer road bikes with flat handlebars accurately and more easily. More 1experienced riders can also enjoy these bikes, especially when they want a more laid-back ride.

In Conclusion, Why Are Road Bikes Handlebars Curved?

When you look at it critically, you realize that the curved handlebars on road bikes serve a huge role in the performance and how well you will enjoy your rides. The aerodynamic nature of road bikes contributes to how fast these bikes go, and handlebars are essential for making road bikes aerodynamic.

However, the importance of drop bars doesn’t mean straight/ flat handlebars won’t do well on your road bike. Just ensure you know what you require of your roadie.