Ritchey Pro BioMax

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
So close, yet so far.
The Biomax handlebars do a few things really well:
1.) Short reach distance (75mm). I like my handlebars to be set up so I can ride comfortably on the hoods, yet when I put my hands on top for climbing it doesn't feel like I am sitting bolt upright. The short reach on these bars achieves that. You can have a comfortable position on the hoods, yet still have a slight forward lean for power when climbing.
2.) Shallow drop. Like most cyclists, I like to ride in the drops on long descents, but not with my knees banging into my throat.
3.) Flared-back flats/tops. Why haven't other companies figured this out? If you hold your hands out in front of you and make a fist, you'll see that your wrists naturally want to be angled out a few degrees. Yet most handlebar makers angle their bars the other way, citing the (nonexistent) benefit of "elbows out promotes better breathing." The slight back angle on the Biomax bars offers a great (and powerful) hand position for climbing.

HOWEVER: A couple of big problems:

1.) The "ergo" bump is waaaay overdone and actually becomes painful on long descents or periods in the drops.

2.) The radius of the bar's curve into the drops is poorly designed... if you set up your shifters such that they are comfortably upright (for riding on the hoods), you'll have difficulty reaching the brake levers when you are riding in the drops.

Price Paid:  $25.00 at Supergo.com

Favorite Ride:
Alpine Loop

Bike Setup:
Leader Bike 780R with Ultegra everything except Dura Ace Bottom Bracket. Scirocco Wheelset (awesome).

Summary:
Stong enough to sprint with and feel safe, but light enough to keep the bike climbing. The "Bio" fittings make a significant difference on longer rides. It is aluminim so you definately need a carbon fork to remove all vibration. Comfy.

Strengths:
Comfy, stong, light

Weaknesses:
Need a carbon fork so it removes any vibration

Similar Products Used:
Modolo (nice, but not nearly as comfortable on longer rides)

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Great product at a great price. Sharp bend makes for a lot of room on the tops. Ergo bend is very comfortable.

Strengths:
Good Ergonomics

Weaknesses:
None

Price Paid:  $69.00 at Mr. C's Cycles

Favorite Ride:
What's ahead

Bike Setup:
853 frame, Reynolds carbon fork, King headset, Ritchey stem, Mavic wheels, Dura Ace parts.

Summary:
Bought these bars on the recommendation of a friend who, like me, is an ex-racer who now does long and fast rides. He's never steered me wrong. (Bad pun.) Nice feel, good mate to Ritchey WCS stem.

I like the bend on the "drop": it's nice when climbing or descending. Cinelli used to make a bar with a similar bend, which I rode for a couple of seasons on another bike. But, it seems that Cinelli is not making anything similar.

Strengths:
Great stiffness-to-weight ratio. I just got back from some hillclimbing in Vermont. I stood up, so did the bars!

Weaknesses:
None that I've seen.

Similar Products Used:
TTT Prima, other bars from Deda and Cinelli.

Bike Setup:
'00 Yeti Road-Project, 105, Quzo Pro fork, Kore stem, Thomson post, Pave saddle, Speedplay X3 pedals, Vredenstien tires

Summary:
Great product, I find the bar very comfortable in every position from hoods to drops. The ergo bends make the drops so tempting!! Nice bar at a good value.

Strengths:
Great shape, Ergo-Bends are extremely comfortable, quality, durability, range of sizes.

Weaknesses:
none...yet.

Similar Products Used:
OEM junk