We went a bit wild with the Left Bank handlebar's design. It is a full 49cm wide, 7cm wider than a traditional French bar, but still narrower that many British/American-style bars. The grips flare outward a bit to appeal to the less restrained cyclist. Given its radical nature it can only be named the Left Bank handlebar, after that section of Paris, the Latin Quarter on the left bank of the Seine, that was historically populated by students and leftist philosophers.

The stem clamp diameter is 25.4mm and is bulged, rather than sleeved, so it will not squeak. Reach is about 18cm and the rise is 7 cm. Grip area length is 16cm, at a 56 degree backsweep. Polished alloy. Weight: 305g

These bars are available in two tubing diameters, 23.8mm road-sized and 22.2mm mountain bike-sized (clamp area is 25.4mm on both):

• 22.2mm (MTB-size) bars accept MTB brake levers and clamp-on shifters. They do not work with bar-end shifters. The only inverse levers that work are Dia Compe levers in the 22.2mm size.
• 23.8mm (road-size) bars accept standard inverse brake levers, standard bar-end shifters, and 23.8mm city brake levers. In short, anything made for road bars fits. They do not accept MTB levers or shifters.