Why Road Bikes Have Drop Handlebars | 120 Years Of Evolution

Road bikes have evolved dramatically over the past century—gearing has shifted from cable-actuated to electronic, and frame materials have progressed from alloy to cutting-edge carbon fiber. But one thing has remained almost unchanged for over 100 years: the design of the handlebar. While materials have improved, the shape has stayed largely the same. Why? Alex investigates the history, function, and possible future of road bike handlebars. 🚴‍♂️🔍 In association with @Vision_Tech_Usa and @FullSpeedAheadTV 👉 https://www.fsaproshop.com/ 00:00 Why have drop handlebars remained the same? 00:37 The evolution of the handlebar 01:21 Late 1800s 03:11 The safety bicycle and its legacy 04:10 Shape of the basic handlebar 05:54 Where old and new change 06:28 Examples of handlebars from the recent past 07:46 The compact bend 08:23 The integrated handlebar 09:18 What separates road and gravel handlebars 10:32 The top tier road handlebars 12:58 The UCI restrictions 13:34 What is in store for the future? Useful Links: GCN Tech Uploader 👉 https://gcn.eu/techuploader Subscribe so you don’t miss a thing 👉 https://gcntech.co/subscribe Insurance: Viewers in the USA and UK can explore GCN Insurance products 👉 https://gcn.eu/GCNinsurance Sign Up To The GCN Newsletter 👉 https://gcn.eu/Newsletter Visit the GCN Shop 👉 https://gcn.eu/gcnshop GCN WhatsApp Channel 👉 https://gcn.eu/GCNwhatsapp GCN Instagram Broadcast Channel 👉 https://gcn.eu/instagrambroadcast Join the GCN Club on Zwift and ride with us! 👉 https://gcn.eu/GCNClubRides Have you ever wondered why handlebar design hasn't changed that much?👀 Watch more on GCN Tech... 📹 Why Is The Drivetrain Always On The Right? 👉 https://youtu.be/wNIXFZjQMiw 📹 Watch our Editor’s Choice Playlist 👉 https://gcntech.co/EditorsChoice 📹 Watch the latest GCN Tech Show 👉 https://gcntech.co/GCNTechShow 🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound 🎵 A Nebula Inside - ELFL GOOD LXFE - ROONIN INTAKE - GHOSTSLIDE Midnight Messages - Rebecca Mardal MoonGlade - A Path Untold Nordic Mountain Reel - Victor Lundberg Oops - oomiee #gcntech #gcn #cycling #roadcycling #roadbike #bike #bikes #bikelife #biketech #handlebar #evolution #history #historyfacts #bikedesign 📸 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. We’ve got great maintenance videos to help you get the most from your bike; pro-bike tours from all the biggest races; special features and the weekly GCN Tech Show! Thanks to our sponsors: Pinarello Bikes: https://gcn.eu/Pinarello Topeak Tools: http://gcn.eu/Topeak CamelBak: https://gcn.eu/Camelbak Canyon Bikes: http://gcn.eu/-Canyon Pirelli Tyres: https://gcn.eu/Pirelli Orbea Bikes: http://gcn.eu/Orbea Vision Wheels: http://gcn.eu/Vision Wahoo Fitness: http://gcn.eu/Wahoo-Fitness Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles: https://gcn.eu/VW Park Tool: http://gcn.eu/-parktool Selle Italia: https://gcn.eu/SelleItalia Zwift: https://gcn.eu/Zwift Silca: https://gcn.eu/Silca MET Helmets: https://gcn.eu/methelmets Core Body Temperature: https://gcn.eu/corebodytemp Precision Fuel & Hydration: https://gcn.eu/precisionhydration Elitewheels: https://gcn.eu/Elitewheels Watch our sister channels: Global Cycling Network - https://www.youtube.com/@gcn GCN Racing - https://www.youtube.com/@gcnracing Global Triathlon Network - https://www.youtube.com/@gtn GCN Italia - https://www.youtube.com/@gcnitalia GCN en Español - https://www.youtube.com/@gcnenespanol GCN auf Deutsch - https://www.youtube.com/@gcnaufdeutsch GCN en Français - https://www.youtube.com/@gcnenfrancais GCN Training - https://www.youtube.com/@GCNTraining Global Mountain Bike Network - https://youtube.com/@gmbn GMBN Racing - https://youtube.com/@gmbnracing GMBN Tech - https://www.youtube.com/@gmbntech Electric Mountain Bike Network - https://www.youtube.com/@embn