Flatbar handlebar Common Sizes

This post is about flatbar handlebar common sizes on commuter/urban/flatbar road bikes.

Flatbar or Riser ?
Flatbar is generally pretty straight.
Riser bar is the V-type shape.
For a commuter/flatbar road bike my preference would be flatbar.
So this post is about Flatbars.  

If you have a flatbar handlebar bike.
And want to buy a new flatbar handlebar.
You probably need to work out 2 main dimensions.

The 2 most important specs seem to be :
Stem size.
Width (across)

Flatbar common Stem sizes :
Importance : I think very important (if you can't adjust the fitting for the handle-stem joint.)      

The 2 common flatbar Stem Sizes :
25.4mm (standard)
or 31.8mm (oversized)

There are other sizes but these are the common 2 sizes
Tip :
If your handlebar in the middle looks 'normal sized', it's probably 25.4mm
If your handlebar looks overly big in the middle, it's probably 31.8mm 

Common flatbar widths (across)
Importance : not so important  (?)

Typical flatbar widths :
600mm ?
580 mm would be pretty small.
620mm gives you a bit more space .
The width can go up to 750mm

Note : Riser bars seem to have much wider lengths, such as 750mm
I have read that bars can come big in order to 'saw to size'

Brake types for bikes

Brake Types for Bikes list

brake type	example	take note	retrofit needs
rim	Caliper (most modern ?) V-brake (wire across top) Cantilever (old ?)	weak in wet
disc		strong in wet hydraulic (future standard ?) or mechanical (cheaper)	hub adapter ? (remove spokes ? new wheel ?) fork adapter (fork adapter or new fork with disc fixings ?)
drum/roller/hub	roller is shimano version	niche. needs special hub ? heats too easy ? good in wet ?	need hub on new wheel or remove spokes ? need compatible fork ?

update : none yet

Caliper bike brakes

Above is a table I am using to make sense of brake types for bikes. It could be incorrect. Currently I have 'caliper' rim brakes but thinking of switching the front to either a disc brake or hub brake for more safety. The front brakes seem the most important as I use them about 95% of the time.

Reason for table :
Trying to gather my thoughts as hard to find choices in quick view method. My understanding is 2/10. Will update table when more is known. 

My current brakes : Caliper rim brakes
Thinking of : replacing front with hub or disc.
Brake lever type on my bike : flatbar (MTB brake levers)

Reason for changing :
Rim brakes lose a lot of power in the wet. Disc and roller brakes are not affected by wet. For commuters I think at least the front brakes should be disc (or less likely ... roller).

Decathlon B-Twin brand : 1st place I look for bike components

Decathlon (UK) is a shop I now look at first for bike components. The usual choices for brake and drivetrain components etc are Shimano and Sram and seem to have a decades long duopoly.

Recently I noticed Decathlon have bike components using their B-Twin branding. I trust this shop and they have a casual returns policy, and they also tend to offer quality products as their own brand at much cheaper prices than alternatives.

So currently they are my first point of reference when looking for anything to do with cycling including clothes

There are only a few stores in the UK. They have the same type of store presence as IKEA.

Decathlon UK Cycling dept

Items I have bought

7/8 speed 11-34 tooth rear derailleur : £7.99
to replace Shimano

V-brake pads 

Rear Derailleur High Low Limit screws : which way to turn ? and indexing tension

H Hi High

 smallest

 hardest

 gear (furthest from wheel)

L Lo Low 

biggest

easiest

 gear (nearest the wheel)

H screw (furthest from wheel)

clockwise : moves the derailleur IN towards the wheel

anti clockwise : moves the derailleur OUT

L screw (nearest wheel)

clockwise : moves the derailleur OUT

anti clockwise : moves the derailleur IN

H - clock - in

H - anti - out

L clock - out

L - anti - in

Derailleur hanger / dropout replacement : A checklist

Example of a hanger

Bicycle Derailleur Hanger replacement
Replacing a hanger can be a nightmare.
What are the 'rules' when replacing one ?

Here is my 'naive' list for when having to replace your hanger.
My knowledge : 3/10

Is there a universal/generic hanger ?	No. Your hanger will likely be specific to your frame
do the bike makers make spare hangers ?	It seems most don't. CNC machine companies sell copies on Ebay/Amazon etc.
How do I identify my hanger ?	If you know the bike make and model and year. But in the end it seems theVISUAL comparison is the most important bit. It has to look very like a copy on a CNC list of hangers
Are the generic hangers in shops any use ?	Probably only as a 'get me home' hanger, if that. It probably will fit badlyif at all
How many hanger types are there ?	100+ ?
Where should I buy ?	Probably Ebay from a CNC comapny. Check their photo list or send them an email. You could send them a photo of your hanger to help
Try the bike maker ?	You could try
Hanger bolt	If you still have your old hanger bolt you can use that. If not, you'd be best buying the bolt too. This will be an option by Ebay sellers
Price	Expect maybe around £7/$15 without bolt ? Add another £1/$1 for bolt

Shimano Rear Derailleur cage sizes SS GS SGS

Shimano rear derailleur cage sizes (reference)

Short - SS

Medium - GS

Long - SGS

My (naive) understanding.

When buying a rear derailleur (Shimano code RD)
Also keep in mind the cage length
In general short cage (SS) will have a short looking cage and long a long lookingcage
My understanding is that longer cages can deal with bigger teeth gears (front and/or back)

Examples :
A short cage (SS) probably won't cope with a 34 teeth big gear on a rear cassette. Maybe best for 26t rear max (?)
A long cage will likely cope with a 34 teeth rear cassette

Keep in mind to take into account the size of your front gears
It's about how much chain the rear cage can deal with from both the front and rear gear sizes. 

Road bikes often seem to have a 'smaller' 1st rear gear (e.g. 26 teeth) and SS cages are often for them (probably the point is that SS will be quicker for changing gear)
MTB's often have a 32 or 34 teeth rear 1st gear (big looking) and will probably need a GS or SGS (can deal with bigger teeth on rear or front)

My current status on this subject : pretty unsure but I have a 34t rear cassette so going for SGS to be safe. Awaiting more wisdom.

Shimano FD-R443 front derailleur : a quick look

Shimano DR-R443 front derailleur for triple front rings
For road bikes with a flatbar
This one is compatible with 7-8 speeds. I think the newer version also fits 9 speed.
For double front rings you would choose the FD-R440

This is the front derailleur on my commuter bike. It seems to be specifically for road bikes with a flatbar. I guess intended to be used for a road-bike chainset with mountain bike shifters. Maybe the indexing is specifically set.

Good quality. I have seen some shops list it as a Tiagra component, but my research does not confirm this. Looks more like a component from no group.

Weight : mine is 105g

Shimano bike websites

Official Shimano Bike Websites
Shimano USA Shimano EU (english)

In my opinion comparing Shimano bike components is unnecessarily difficult including on the official Shimano sites. It's a pity for the general cyclist. Here are the official USA and EU (english) sites anyhow.

Shimano groupset list

My knowledge of subject : 3/10

I have compiled this list for my own use to try and make sense of the Shimano groupsets. The lists are from wikipedia (abbreviated). My understanding is that the groupset tend to mean the 'mechanical' parts of the bike. This would usually be the drivetrain and shifters and brake levers. (?)

Shimano Road groupsets (2013)	Shimano MTB groupsets (2011)
For 2013, Shimano road bicycle groupsets include: Dura-Ace  Ultegra [6800] (11 speed) Ultegra [6700] (10 speed) 105 [5800] (11 speed) 105 [5700] (10 speed) Tiagra [4600] (10 speed) Sora [3500] (9 speed) Claris [2400] (8 speed)	XTR (10) Saint (9) Deore XT (9/10) SLX (9/10) Zee (10) Hone (9) Deore LX (8/9) Deore (9/10) Alivio (8/9) Acera (8) Altus (8) Tourney (8)

Link to wikipedia page
RCUK article : buyer's guide to road bike groupsets

Possible purchase : XLC Everyday Trekking Saddle SA-E03

I am constantly looking for an even comfier bike saddle for my commuter bike which is not too weighty and preferably on the less expensive side.

I spotted this in Go Outdoors (UK) for £18.49 (including the member discount).
XLC Everyday Trekking Saddle SA-E03
Note : There are men's and ladies versions
Also 2 colours : Black and Brown

At the moment I am using a Selle Bassano Virtual saddle which I find pretty decent for comfort and weight for the price, but the XLC Everyday looks a bit wider which I think I need, but still pretty 'sporty'. Maybe I'm wrong. Keep in mind there are 2 versions of the saddle, one each for men and women. 

I will investigate this further.

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links
XLC website :XLC Everyday Trekking Saddle SA-E03 mens
Go Outdoors website : XLC Everyday Saddle mens

Amazon UK : XLC 'Everyday' SA-E03 Saddle (mens, black)
Amazon USA search : XLC saddle