New-Old-Stock 3T Super Competizione Handlebars with Merckx Style (Large) Rounded Bends (43cm/26.0mm)
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Product Description:

Listing Update...We've had some customers inquire about these bars relative to the Competizione models we also stock. Our belief is that quality-wise, they are roughly equivalent with the only notable difference being the design of the center section. These Super Competizione bars have the traditional center section where standard road bar (23.8 mm) tubing is reinforced with an aluminum alloy sleeve that has a slightly larger diameter to accommodate a road stem clamp and to also improve the strength/stiffness around the stem clamp, as this is the high stress point of any drop bars.

As for the Competizione bars, they have the "bulge" design where standard road bar (23.8 mm) tubing is built-up/reinforced in the center section to achieve the slightly larger diameter for the same reasons noted above. I don't know that any one design is superior, as some prefer the bulge design...stating the appearance is cleaner with no hard edges, while others will say they prefer the sleeved design, because it's the traditional manner in which bar center sections were built-up...so the latter has a more period appropriate cosmetic look for vintage projects. We can see merit with both claims, so it probably comes down to personal preference on a particular project.

This offering is for one set of new-old-stock 3T "Super Competizione" handlebars (43 cm) with a relatively common stem clamp size of 26.0 mm (and please note 3T measures their bars from outside edge to outside edge with respect to their width...so a center-to-center equivalent measurement would be in the 41 cm range). They were most prevalent in the 90's and were made from very good quality heat treated aluminum alloy tubing (AL 7075 T6). We should also mention these bars are grooved on the front side, so a good candidate for aero levers or selected dual control shifter/brake levers that require front side (aero) cable routing.

It appears 3T made these bars in a few different styles, which impacted the reach and drop measurements (and all of which were part of 3T's Racing Team Services line of products at the time...so manufactured to handle the added stresses of competitive cycling). This particular offering is for a set of the Merckx style bars with rounded bends (which were generally among the largest of the 3T vintage bars...with a longer reach and deeper drop relative to most other 3T bars from this era).

Consistent with our other 3T handlebar offerings (and in an attempt to further assist with proper fit), we have taken some additional (center-to-center) measurements and noted a reach of 86 mm and a drop of 156 mm (and please refer to our notes below that specify our measurement techniques...in the event someone wants to replicate our approach for comparative purposes).

In terms of condition, these bars are new (and show no evidence  of ever having been clamped to a stem). Listing Update...As I continue to sell through my stocks in these bars, I have started to update the pictures to reflect the next offering that will sell/ship. To this end, I can confirm these bars show fairly well, with some shopwear (light scuffs/scratches around the sleeved center section). I've taken some close-up pictures of the most visible blemishes, so please review all the pictures before considering a purchase. 

A note about our "reach" and "drop" measurements...
A number of customers have asked about our handlebar measurement techniques, so we thought it was probably appropriate to better define how we go about measuring the handlebars we offer for sale.

The drop...we "stand the bars up" so the only contact point with the table top is the flattened drop area near the bar ends (although we typically have to hold the bars in this position so they do not fall over). From this position, with the drop section of the bars resting on the table top, we measure the vertical distance from the table top to the bottom edge of the bar tubing at the stem clamp area. This provides our version of a center-to-center measurement for the drop.

The reach...keeping the bars in the upright position on the table (as noted above), we push them against the wall facing us, so the outermost section of the bar bend (i.e., the area around where the shifter/brake levers are mounted) is touching the wall. From this position, we measure the horizontal distance from the wall to the front of the stem clamp area. This provides our version of a center-to-center measurement for the reach.

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Note to international customers regarding shipping...
We apologize to those that feel some of our international shipping charges are too high. We only charge actual shipping rates, but once an order exceeds a certain amount, we hesitate to use the least expensive US Postal Services First Class International service. We feel this way, because this service is not trackable or insurable...so more risk of loss. We prefer the US Postal Services Priority Mail International service for more expensive orders, because this service is trackable at USPS.com and insurable...so less risk of loss. Unfortunately, this service is more expensive, especially for smaller/lighter packages, relative to the First Class International service. We are sorry about these higher shipping costs, but hopefully our notes help to explain why this is the case.

Note to international customers regarding customs...
We also apologize to those that feel their country import taxes, duties and brokerage fees are excessive. As a small US business, we are required by customs' laws to declare each order as a retail sale. Additionally, the declared order value must be equal to total store purchases and/or winning auction bids (less any shipping costs, as these are not considered in the declared value). As a result, each customer will be responsible for paying his/her own country taxes, duties and brokerage fees, which will be collected upon delivery. Again, we apologize for these additional costs, but we cannot afford the penalties and fines that come with breaking customs' laws...so we have to strictly abide by them.