Handlebar with inboard drops

Abstract

A bicycle handlebar includes a top section, a first hook and second hook extending downward from each end of the tops section, and a first drop and a second drop extending rearward from an end, opposing the top section, of the first hook and second hook, respectively. The first width of the top section may be greater than a second width between each of the first drop and the second drop.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bicycle handlebar, comprising:
 a top section, a first hook and second hook extending downward from the top section, and a first drop and a second drop extending rearward from the first hook and second hook, respectively, and vertically offset from the top section;   the top section spanning a first width;   the greatest horizontal distance between the first drop and the second drop defining a second width, the first width being greater than the second width.   
     
     
         2 . The bicycle handlebar of  claim 1 , the difference between the first width and the second width being at least 12 centimeters. 
     
     
         3 . The bicycle handlebar of  claim 1 , the difference between the first width and the second width being at least 6 centimeters. 
     
     
         4 . The bicycle handlebar of  claim 1 , the second width being 75 percent or less of the first width. 
     
     
         5 . The bicycle handlebar of  claim 1 , the second width being 90 percent or less of the first width. 
     
     
         6 . The bicycle handlebar of  claim 1 , the first and second hook having a V shape. 
     
     
         7 . The bicycle handlebar of  claim 1 , the first and second hook extending at an acute angle from the top section, when the handle bar is viewed from a front or rear view. 
     
     
         8 . The bicycle handlebar of  claim 1 , the first drop and the second drop extending along a first axis that is substantially perpendicular to a second axis of the top section. 
     
     
         9 . The bicycle handlebar of  claim 1 , the top section, the first and second hooks, and the first and second drops collectively providing a three-dimensional hand placement configurations to a rider. 
     
     
         10 . The bicycle handlebar of  claim 1 , further comprising hoods coupled with brakes and shifters associated with the bicycle. 
     
     
         11 . The bicycle handlebar of  claim 1 , further comprising internal cable or wire routing. 
     
     
         12 . The bicycle handlebar of  claim 1 , one or more sections of the bicycle handlebar including flattened tubing. 
     
     
         13 . The bicycle handlebar of  claim 1 , the top section being configured to contact forearms of a rider when the rider is positioned with hands in the hooks and/or drops. 
     
     
         14 . The bicycle handlebar of  claim 13 , the top section being angled to contact the forearms. 
     
     
         15 . The bicycle handlebar of  claim 13 , the top section being curved to contact the forearms. 
     
     
         16 . The bicycle handlebar of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second ramps between the top section and the first and second hooks, respectively. 
     
     
         17 . The bicycle handlebar of  claim 1 , sections having elliptical tubing. 
     
     
         18 . The bicycle handlebar of  claim 1 , the top section having a shape that assists in accessing underneath the tops when the rider is transitioning in and out of the hooks and drops. 
     
     
         19 . The bicycle handlebar of  claim 1 , having sections fashioned into wing shapes. 
     
     
         20 . The bicycle handlebar of  claim 1 , having additional controls for data, communications, auxiliary connections, mounts and switches.