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anyone like the Ritchey Evolution curve?

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 12:44 am
by djconnel
I tried these only in a shop, not actually riding a bike, and they seemed to curve the wrong way for a wrist-neutral position on the tops.

Image

In fact, some of my favorite handlebars are those on my old city bike which sweep forward, not back, because when my hands are on the tops my arms are pointing inward and this allows my hands to point a bit inward as well.

Someone must be buying them, though. Is it because they let you get away with a longer, more pro-looking stem?

anyone like the Ritchey Evolution curve?

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 12:44 am
by Weenie

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Re: anyone like the Ritchey Evolution curve?

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 1:22 am
by eric
The reach is still longer than most compact bars, at 82mm.

I think the curve of the tops would work for me. It's similar to the sweep of mtb bars. It's a natual position, at least for me. Perhaps I climb on the tops with my elbows in and you have them out.

If anyone is interested, now is a good time to buy them- they are on sale at about half off list at a bunch of places.

Re: anyone like the Ritchey Evolution curve?

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 9:15 am
by thencameyou
the evo-curve are not the same as your pic (which are the WCS evolution - ergonomic drop vs the shallow bend on the evo-curve).
I like them, partly because I can run a longer stem but also because the hood-drop distance is quite short in comparison to competing models (FSA K-Force shallow, 3T Ergosum). I think the standard Curve are nicer than the evo curve though

Re: anyone like the Ritchey Evolution curve?

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 1:24 pm
by topflightpro
I have those bars on one of my bikes.

The sweep is not an issue. It's actually kind of comfortable.

And I don't think the OP was referring to the Evo Curve bars but the curve, i.e. shape, of the WCS Evolution bars.

Re: anyone like the Ritchey Evolution curve?

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 4:20 pm
by KWalker
thencameyou wrote:the evo-curve are not the same as your pic (which are the WCS evolution - ergonomic drop vs the shallow bend on the evo-curve).
I like them, partly because I can run a longer stem but also because the hood-drop distance is quite short in comparison to competing models (FSA K-Force shallow, 3T Ergosum). I think the standard Curve are nicer than the evo curve though


The Evo Curve have the same sweep.

Why buy a bar to run a longer stem if it does nothing for ergonomics?

I bought them on sale once not knowing about the top sweep and hated them. Its a stupid design and makes for less wrist clearance in the drops as well. awful bars

Re: anyone like the Ritchey Evolution curve?

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 5:09 pm
by djconnel
eric wrote:It's similar to the sweep of mtb bars. It's a natual position, at least for me. Perhaps I climb on the tops with my elbows in and you have them out.


You answered your own question: the difference is on MTB bars the arms point outward, not inward.

If you have your elbows tucked that makes sense. If I'm up there my elbows are in-line with my shoulders or maybe slightly bowed out.

But you bring up an alternative explanation: they sweep them that way to make them look like mountain-bike bars.

Re: anyone like the Ritchey Evolution curve?

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 7:40 pm
by sawyer
I have the EvoCurve on two bikes - one bar in alu and one carbon. Love the shape and they are pretty stiff.

They are relatively long reach though to be honest I'd like still more.

What more can I say ... they aren't very WW I'm afraid. IIRC c.250g for carbon and about 25g more for alu.

Sweep back doesn't impact the stem length. It's position on the hoods that's most relevant for that, not position on tops.

Re: anyone like the Ritchey Evolution curve?

Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 11:25 pm
by applen
all of my responses relate to the Evocurve (not the item pictured in the OP, that's the Evolution i believe, which has a deeper drop).

sawyer wrote:What more can I say ... they aren't very WW I'm afraid. IIRC c.250g for carbon and about 25g more for alu.


They are ~200grams for the Carbon versions and 250g for WCS aluminum (triple butted) & 280g for the Pro (double butted)

djconnel wrote:But you bring up an alternative explanation: they sweep them that way to make them look like mountain-bike bars.


whaaa? i can't think of any motivation to capture consumers via this specific association.

think about the shape of a gun handle... specifically the angle between the handle and the barrel... can you see it in your mind? good. now, try this experiment:

when you hold a stick (or bar), wrist straight, the stick angles forward. when you rotate your wrist (as if on the tops of a drop bar) the stick (or bar) is still angled forward (perhaps slightly less-so). this curve allows your wrist to be a /little/ bit more straight and (i think) is designed to mitigate some wrist strain.

i'm always looking for bars with a bit of sweep back because my left wrist is pretty jacked up.

i just got some WCS'... I'll let you know how they work.

Re: anyone like the Ritchey Evolution curve?

Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 11:42 pm
by wingguy
djconnel wrote:If I'm up there my elbows are in-line with my shoulders or maybe slightly bowed out.


If your shoulders are in line with your elbows a slight sweepback will give you a neutral wrist position. Your elbows would have to be in a significantly wider position for a forward sweep to be beneficial.

Test: hold you arms in front of you, elbows in line with shoulders, forearms flat or slightly downwards, curl your hands as if gripping bars and look at the line of your knuckles.

Re: anyone like the Ritchey Evolution curve?

Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 4:32 am
by crimsonbadger
I just picked up the Superlogic Evocurve (carbon) and WCS Evocurve (alloy, both 42 cm ctc, 80 mm reach) and, after a few rides, am pretty enamored. That said, I was way to stretched out on my 3T Ergosum (89 mm reach) and spend a lot of time on the tops, where wrist position feels neutral.

Re: anyone like the Ritchey Evolution curve?

Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 6:03 am
by maxxevv
It depends on the overall curve in 3D.

I liked the curve on my old Modolo KX Curvissima, when the top portion had a slight backward sweep but also a slight droop.
But I find the same backward sweep without the droop to be a lot worse in terms of fit comfort though.

Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 6:14 am
by Causidicus
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Re: anyone like the Ritchey Evolution curve?

Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 11:34 am
by HillRPete
I like it, but for the flat tops. They are very comfortable on long climbs, and by no means force your forarms into any particular position. And my reach is adjusted for the hoods and drops position anyway, not the tops. Fair value and colour choice too.

Re: anyone like the Ritchey Evolution curve?

Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2014 4:57 pm
by boysa
Would someone who is using either the WCS Evo or regular Curve model mind giving me an actual measurement both where the levers mount and also at the tip of the hooks? I'm seeing conflicting info in cyberspace.

Thanks!

Re: anyone like the Ritchey Evolution curve?

Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2014 4:57 pm
by Weenie

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Re:

Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 10:24 am
by thencameyou
Causidicus wrote:
thencameyou wrote:I like them, partly because I can run a longer stem but also because the hood-drop distance is quite short in comparison to competing models (FSA K-Force shallow, 3T Ergosum).

What's the point of running a longer stem in order to run shorter reach bars? Or is it the case you prefer the actual curvature to the drops?


stops me hitting my knees on the bar when climbing out of the saddle...