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Can Higher Handlebars Make You A Faster Cyclist? We Tested It!

Video

Can Higher Handlebars Make You A Faster Cyclist? We Tested It!

10:00

Cycling

Can Higher Handlebars Make You A Faster Cyclist? We Tested It!

GCN Tech›
6 days ago10:00121.6K views
CyclingPro CyclistsGcn Tech

Pro cyclists have slammed their stems for decades, but new theories suggest that raising your handlebars could actually reduce your aerodynamic drag and make you faster. We headed to the wind tunnel with a HIGHLY adjustable stem to test low, medium, and super-high setups to see which position really saves the most watts. Find out if this bizarre aero trend is the future of cycling, and what it really does to your bike fit and handling!

⏱️ Timestamps ⏱️
00:00 - Are higher handlebars faster?
01:05 - The aero theory explained
02:35 - Wind tunnel testing protocol
03:41 - The wind tunnel results
06:33 - How handlebar height affects bike fit & handling
07:51 - Real-world riding impressions
08:56 - Conclusion: Should you raise your bars?

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Have you ever experimented with your handlebar height to find free aero speed, or are you all about maximising your comfort on the bike? Let us know your current setup down below! 👇

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📸 Photos - © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Sprint Cycling Agency

Brought to you by the world’s biggest cycling channel, the Global Cycling Network (GCN), GCN Tech is the only channel you need for all things bike tech – past, present and future.

Simply put, we’re obsessed with tech: we seek out and showcase the best in bikes, components, tech, accessories, upgrades and more from races and events, tech shows and product launches across the globe to bring you the best in road bike technology.

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