Stan Bradbury's Speedway Training Notes

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HANDLEBARS

These are available in a variety of patterns named after the choice of shape preferred by particular well known riders, such as "Ole Olsen" or "Ivan Mauger" patterns. They are available in anodized light alloy, plain or in a variety of colors. When using the light alloy variety, it is essential to use a pair of safety clamps instead of the normal two separate clips, which were intended for the earlier chrome steel bars, which are no longer available. This is because of the crystallization which takes place when the light alloy is bent as the result of a fall.

The safety clamps are such that any bend will be spread over a fair length of the bar and minor straightening is then reasonably safe. An acute bend would break upon being straightened or, would leave the bars in an extremely dangerous condition. The advantages of the light alloy bars is again, a saving in weight which, for a novice rider who is not using all the power he has available, is an unnecessary expense, if expense is a factor. Chrome steel bars can be straightened for all but the more serous crashes and the extra weight is only minor. The top riders who use the alloy bars usually have a whole selection of light alloy parts on their machines and then the expense is justified by the considerable saving in weight. Also, such riders usually carry a spare set of bars which they can change in a few seconds, if need be. When first starting to ride, set the bars in a fairly flat, comfortable position and avoid copying the setting used by any particular top rider you may admire. Once you are getting around the track reasonably well, you will know how you want to change the position of the bars to suit your particular riding style which may vary from one track to another. Bear in mind that the bars should be set so that your wrists are in their strongest position much as they would be if heaving on a large lever, not turned at an awkward angle because you have seen other riders set their bars in a similar position. Top riders may have strange settings which look most uncomfortable until that particular rider "does his thing" at which time, the purpose of such a setting becomes clear.

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