Did you see the coverage of the MADE SHOW that took place in Portland, USA recently?
The Circles group also had a booth as the SimWorks brand, and it seemed to be a huge success (I want to go next time!).
The products announced there will be arriving at Circles one after another, so please stay tuned!
And, the products announced there have just arrived, so let me introduce them!
SimWorks New Wild Honey Bar
The SimWorks drop bar you've all been waiting for has returned, completely renewed!
Due to the shortage of metal materials for bicycles until last year, it was difficult to produce anything other than flat bars, but finally...! *tears*
With a 104mm reach, 120mm drop, and a 7mm rise at the shoulders, this handlebar was reborn as a modern "randonneur bar" adopting a 31.8mm clamp while maintaining its classic appearance.
The flared shape of the handlebar and aero levers are a perfect match; the smoothly rising shoulders make it even more comfortable, allowing you to grip the aero levers with your shoulders and elbows in a relaxed position.
Also, although the 104mm reach is on the longer side, it doesn't feel far away due to the effect of the rising shoulders, and the length of the reach makes the shoulder section wider and very easy to hold.
It is the ideal randonneur / pass-hunter handlebar for mountain passes and forest road touring, allowing you to ride in a relaxed manner while switching between various positions: brake hoods, drops, drop position, reach section, shoulder section, and flat section.
Isn't this just perfect for today's "neo-randonneur style" bikes?
Even more "perfect fit" elements
And this is an important point of the renewal.
The variation in handlebar width.
A wide profile of 490mm, 510mm, and 530mm (center to center).
The variations 10 years ago were 390mm, 410mm, 430mm, and 450mm, so it is completely adapted to modern bikes. (Back then, even these felt quite wide!)
Although the width is wide, it is flared and has a rise, so the bracket position remains relaxed.
This is a "perfect fit" element for neo-randonneur bikes.
And there is one more "perfect fit" element.
Easier to attach accessories
Another modernized element is that the 31.8mm center section of the handlebar has been extended.
This makes it easier to attach lights and gadget mounts, which are essential for touring, and allows for accessories to be added in a way that looks much tidier.
From SimWorks
Finally, there was a good story from the SimWorks blog, so I will quote it.
Humans balance their heavy heads on top of an S-curved spine, and our bodies are designed so that an upright posture is the most comfortable one with the least amount of strain. When you lean your head forward like in a cycling posture, you need muscle strength to support it. Assuming the average head weighs 5kg, if your neck tilts by 30 degrees, you need the muscle strength to hold up 12.5kg. In other words, you are supporting a weight about the same as your bike with your neck.
In short, it is a problem of angle, not length; even a change of a few degrees can significantly increase or decrease that burden, so the rise of the handlebar is very effective.
At the same time, lifting your upper body expands your vertical field of view. The effective vertical field of view for humans is only about 20 degrees. This also changes significantly depending on the angle of your upper body.
Yes, the Wild Honey Bar is perfect for touring where you want to travel long distances while enjoying the scenery.
The Randonneur Bar. In our country, where 70% of the land is mountainous, people who played before our generation taught us that there is more fun to be found by seeking paths in the mountains than by riding long distances on long roads, and I think it is surely the optimal drop bar for those who have the motivation to ride bicycles in a non-competitive style in this day and age.
SIMWORKS Wild Honey Bar
Width: 490, 510, 530mm
Center diam. : 31.8mm
Material : Heat Treated Aluminum
