Product Spotlight: ProTaper Micro Handlebars
[caption id="attachment_56174" align="alignright"
width="300"]
Whether purchased
as a complete kit or individually, riders have the choice of five
different bar styles: Schoolboy Low, Schoolboy Pro, Schoolboy High,
Honda Mini, and KTM Mini.[/caption]
Nearly a quarter century after ProTaper set the dirt bike
industry on fire with its 1-1/8" taperwall handlebars the company
is stoking the fire with its latest product. Hitting the other side
of the spectrum from its oversize handlebars, this time
ProTaper is all about going smaller and targeting peewee riders
with its Micro Bars.
The Micro Bar is one of those products that makes you say "why
didn't I think of that?" because it totally makes sense. What
doesn't make sense is expecting a person with hands the fraction of
the size of an average adult try to comfortably grip a set of
handlebars designed for adults? So ProTaper set out to solve that
problem with the Micro Bar, which features ends with a smaller
outer diameter (OD) than a standard 7/8" bar. The ends are 17mm in
OD compared to standard bars which have 22mm OD ends. Sure it might
not sound like much of a difference to the average adult rider, but
the 5mm reduction can make a world of difference for kids. A
smaller grip area can inspire confidence in a young rider by
providing better control, easier manipulation of the lever(s), and
help reduce fatigue.
[schema type="chaparralproduct" name="Pro Taper Micro Handlebar
Kit" image="302-5038" imagesize="330" price="134.99"
alignment="right"
url="http://www.chaparral-racing.com/dept/pro-taper-micro-handlebars"
]Made of the same high-quality, proprietary 2000 series T6 aluminum
that ProTaper's other bars are made out of, the only difference
with the Micro Bar is the smaller grip ends. The rest of the bar
measures in at the traditional 7/8" diameter so they'll fit with
stock bar clamps, controls, kill switches etc. For added strength,
durability, and to reduce flex the bars come with a cold forged
aluminum cross bar with a foam pad for impact protection.
For ease of use and versatility, the Micro Bars will bolt onto
pretty much any 85cc and under 2-stroke dirt bike and are available
in five different widths/bends to fit a variety of preferences and
riding styles. As mentioned above the Micro Bars will fit with
stock bar mounts and controls, however, traditional 7/8s grips and
throttle tubes will not work. Therefore, to make installation easy,
ProTaper offers complete Micro Bar kits that come
with a set of Micro Bars, ProTaper 1/3 Waffle Grips, a Micro
throttle tube, and seven throttle cams to fit a variety of
motorcycles. ProTaper also offers all the components
individually.
[schema type="chaparralproduct"
url="http://www.chaparral-racing.com/product/pro-taper-micro-throttle-tube-kit/302-5044.aspx"
name=" Pro Taper Micro Throttle Tube Kit" image="302-5044"
imagesize="125" price="62.99" alignment="right" ]The new
[mageProductLink sku="302-5045" title=""]Micro
Grips[/mageProductLink] ($9.99) are made from ProTaper's specially
formulated soft synthetic rubber compound to give young riders the
best combination of impact absorption and hand preservation. They
are currently only available in one color, light grey, and have a
1/3 waffle pattern to provide great gripping areas for small hands.
The grips also have an over-sized grip tip designed to take the
abuse of multiple crashes without tearing and helps keep small
hands from slipping off the ends. The Micro Throttle Tube ($69.99)
features a two-piece design, is made of T6 aluminum, and has a
knurled and anodized finish. The throttle tube also comes with
seven different throttle cams.
Who knows, with a quick 15 minute bar swap you just might have the
next Jeremy McGrath on your hands.
