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From: diegob@cca.UUCP (Diego Gonzalez)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: lightweight handlebar and stem
Message-ID: <3880@cca.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 29-Aug-85 11:04:55 EDT
Article-I.D.: cca.3880
Posted: Thu Aug 29 11:04:55 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 31-Aug-85 07:48:01 EDT
References: <7844@Shasta.ARPA>
Distribution: net
Organization: Computer Corp. of America, Cambridge
Lines: 20

All the popular bars on the market -- 3t, Nitto, SR, Specialized, and
Cinelli -- are well made items when used as intended.  The 3t are as
strong as Cinelli, I believe, but may lack the finish work of the
latter.  Not all bars work with all stems, but the folks at a good shop
as well as most catalogs will advise you on correct combinations.

Now I know that some makers have drilled bars, stems, and frames for
internal runs of cable and that it appears to be the latest fad.
However, for very sound reasons, traditional bicycle designers have
followed the practice of routing cables outside of the frame and
components.  Like the effective shape of the egg, the round form of
tubes used in bike construction gain strength from uniformity of
curvature.  The curves tend to distribute stress more evenly than other
shapes.  Drilling holes in tubes like the alloy handlebars (especially
when no reinforcing grommets are used) creates a point of weakness and
poor stress distribution.

Until such time as a manufacturer makes a specially strenthened bar for
routing brake or shifter cables or both, I would continue to run such
cables under the bar wrapping.