Handles and handlebars

If a garden hose develops a kink, the flow of water is interrupted. The same thing happens when nerves and blood vessels are unnaturally and permanently compressed or deflected. Where cyclists are concerned, the hands are particularly at risk. A sensation of tingling and numbness can be experienced.

The ideal countermeasure: the right handlebars and grips – both together support the wrists and hands in their natural posture and serve to relieve pressure.

Grips

Important: grips must be functional – non-slip, easy to grasp, pleasant to touch and extremely robust since they are exposed to all weathers. Just as important: grips must be ergonomic – suitable for the rider's hand size and shaped in such a way that the load is evenly distributed.

Ergonomic handle: the palm lies on an anatomically shaped handle. The contact surface is larger. This means: the pressure is more evenly distributed. The nerves and blood vessels are no longer squashed in the carpal tunnel.

Note: Rotate the handle into the correct position and fix it. This prevents the nerves and blood vessels in the wrist from developing a kink. The ball of the hand is supported ideally.

Incorrect position: Huge pressure on the flexed wrist and on the ball of the hand. The nerves and blood vessels develop a kink.

ergotec selection: You can choose from a selection of ergonomic handles in various shapes and materials. In the image: The MF handle is in a modular design and can be combined flexibly.
Ask your bicycle dealer.

Straight? Curved?

Curved handlebars are the best choice. The hand then rests on the grip in an anatomically correct position.
Straight handlebars only make sense on outright sports bikes because the steering behaviour is then felt and influenced more directly.

The curve of the handlebars depends on the riding style and size of the rider.
The smaller the upper-arm-torso angle is, the larger the curve of the handlebars should be.

Ideal: Pressure on the grip evenly distributed.
Lower arm and hand in alignment. The nerves and vessels run freely without any deflection.
Top right: Diagram of pressure measurement on the handle.

Critical: Pressure peaks at the grip.
Wrist (nerves/vessels) bent. A high muscular load is placed on the arm and shoulder.
Top right: Diagram of pressure measurement on the handle Red = pressure peaks.

ergotec selection: You can choose from a selection of handlebar shapes. No other provider has such a wide range of choices. Ask your bicycle dealer.

Handlebar width

Handlebars vary in width. Because we all differ in size! It’s the same as when buying clothes - you should always select the handlebars that are the right size for you (from XS to XXL).

The basic rule: The handlebar width should be the same as your shoulder width. This is measured on the body from shoulder joint to shoulder joint and on the handlebar from the middle of one hand to the middle of the other hand.

The width of the handlebar also changes the grip angles.
On the "wide" 650mm handlebar: 16 degrees. On the "narrow" 570mm handlebar: 8 degrees.

ergotec offers the most frequently used handlebar shape in six precisely coordinated sizes: XS – XXL. Ask your bicycle dealer.

Changing grip position

How to cycle right: move the entire body and never stick to one basic posture because joints and muscles that "freeze" in one basic position are unevenly loaded. This leads to fatigue and ultimately pain.

The ideal countermeasure: cycle dynamically and be aware of your body. Handlebars that invite you to vary your grip position offer the best support for this. The hands, arms, shoulders and neck particularly benefit from a deliberate change in posture.

Multiposition

A multiposition handlebar offers the maximum dynamic variety for hands, arms and the back. It's worthwhile accepting the somewhat more complex-looking "cockpit". The gain is a vast improvement in comfort – particularly on longer rides.

With the lower grip position the upper body is more inclined, there is less air resistance when cycling. The fingers are ready to use close to the brake lever.

With the middle grip position the arms and wrists are naturally straight and relaxed. For fast rides or mountain biking. Variety for muscles and joints.

With the top grip position the upper body is upright and casually relaxed for slow rides.

ergotec selection: You can choose, from the classic multiposition handlebar to the premium AHS system. Ask your bicycle dealer.

Bar end

Classic handlebar with just one grip position can be extended to provide two grip positions by adding bar ends (horns). This addition isn't costly and generally easy to retrofit besides.

The easy switching between flat and upright hand position prevents the fingers from getting tired and going numb. Only available from ergotec: bar ends with ball joint.
Allows adjustment of any angle to achieve the rider's ideal position.

The ergotec MF2 grip satisfies all the requirements for an ergonomically optimum support of the hand and easy grip change (freely adjustable bar end!)

Bar end touring

Three in one: Special additions allow classic handlebars to be upgraded from one to as many as three grip positions.

You can switch between three positions, meaning the combination is just as effective as a multiposition handlebar.

Thanks to the patented ball joint, the bar end can be individually adjusted, by 15° in the ball joint, continuously (360°) in the shaft and on the handlebar.

ergotec solution: the EVO-Touring Model SML is available foam-covered or in real leather – to match the grip. Ask your bicycle dealer.

Handlebar height

The handlebar height determines how much the torso is inclined. The torso inclination, on the other hand, decides which muscles are called upon and to what extent. Pain in the neck, shoulders and back is an indication of one-sided, i.e. uneven, loading.

The ideal countermeasure: Muscle work must be harmoniously distributed! In this respect the following applies: in terms of body height, proportions and performance capability every person is different. Here we show how the handlebar height can be adjusted for the different stem constructions.

Classic stem

Classic construction: the shaft and stem are permanently connected as one single component. The stem shaft inserts into the "fork tube” (steerer) and is held in place by means of a clamp bolt and expander cone.

The classic design's components.

Lowering the handlebars. The clamp bolt and expander cone are loosened. The stem shaft is inserted deeper. The bolt is retightened.

Raising the handlebars. The clamp bolt and expander cone are loosened. The stem shaft is extended upwards. The bolt is retightened. Attention: Observe the minimum insertion depth. ergotec has quill stems of varying lengths.

ergotec selection: There are classic stems with short and long shafts (up to 300 mm), with stem projections of varying lengths, adjustable in the angle or rigid in black or silver.
Ask your bicycle dealer.

Ahead stem

Ahead construction: the fork tube towers above the frame's "head tube". The stem is mounted to the "head" at the end of the fork tube and fixed in place with a clamp. If the fork tube is long enough, the height can be altered accordingly using spacers.

The ahead design's components.

When you disassemble the stem and spacer then the front wheel fork tube is visible.

If spacers are assembled then the height can be lowered by removing the spacers. The protruding fork tube is removed (by the bicycle dealer).
Afterwards the handlebars can no longer be raised (except using special adapter solutions from ergotec).

ergotec selection: Ahead stems are available with various-sized projections (75-130 mm) different angles or with adjustable angle in black, silver, white. Ask your bicycle dealer.

Adjustable stem

If the bike has a stem with adjustable angle, then the position of the handlebars can be precisely “fine-tuned”. Angle adjustment is possible in both ahead stems and quill stems.

To adjust the angle: loosen the bolts. Set to the desired angle. Retighten the bolts.
There are also quick release solutions from ergotec that do not require any tools.

With an angle setting of 60 degrees the handlebar is significantly further back and higher, the upper body is more upright. With an angle setting of 0 degrees the handlebar is significantly further forward and lower, the upper body is more bent.
The figure shows an example of an angle setting of 40 degrees.

Attention! If the angle is adjusted, two factors also change: the height of the handlebars and the distance of the handlebars to the saddle.
That's why: first set the handlebar height via the shaft length. And then "fine-tune" by adjusting the angle

ergotec selection: adjustable stems are available for ahead constructions or classic constructions for all bicycle types, in black, silver, white. Ask your bicycle dealer.

Height adapter

For ahead designs: Using the Up&Down adapter from ergotec, the handlebar can be set higher or lower at any time with one simple movement (no tools required).

The ahead stem is assembled at the top.
The adapter is clamped on the fork tube instead of the stem.
Using the quick release you can adjust the height at any time without any tools.

Lowering the handlebars. .
Open the quick release, push the steering unit deeper down.
Close the quick release. All done! 		Raising the handlebars.
Open the quick release, extend the steering unit upwards, close the quick release. All done!

ergotec Up&Down: The adapter can be continuously adjusted over a range of 100 mm. Ergotec Comfi: A cheaper alternative if you only want to achieve a fixed handlebar height.

AHS handlebar system

The AHS handlebar system from ergotec can be adjusted more variably than any other handlebar. You can totally individually adjust the grip position and also the handle angle with two of the three designs. There is a free choice of handles: you decide whether you want ergonomic handles (also with bar end) or multiposition handles. All standard gear levers are compatible.

AHS Premium

The AHS-Premium combines the advantages of a multiposition handlebar with the option of being able to freely adjust the grip angle.

The grip angle and inclinaton of the grip ends are freely adjustable.

Triple choice of handles. Easy, extremely safe assembly of handles. Huge advantage of these "push-on" multiposition handles: grip shifters can also be assembled without any problems!

An additional benefit: handlebars "fold in". For transporting on car bicycle carriers or space-saving winter storage, e.g. in the garage.

AHS Premium. The most comfortable solution with the most options.
Ask your bicycle dealer.

AHS Superlight

AHS Superlight: Continuously adjustable handle angles. Almost any handles and bar ends can be assembled. Compatible with any gear and brake systems.

The grip angles can be freely adjusted.

The ergonomic grips MF1 (without handlebar horn/bar end) or MF2 (with handlebar horn/bar end) are easy to fit.

An additional benefit: handlebars "fold in". For transporting on car bicycle carriers or space-saving winter storage, e.g. in the garage.

AHS Superlight. The light and flexible solution combined with ergonomic handles.
Ask your bicycle dealer.

AHS Basic

AHS Basic: Light multiposition handlebar. Two shapes to choose from: Comfort or Sport. Continuously adjustable angle of handles.

Triple choice of handles. Easy, extremely safe assembly of handles. Huge advantage of these "push-on" multiposition handles: grip shifters can also be assembled without any problems!

AHS Basic. The light and easy solution with plenty of options.
Ask your bicycle dealer.

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