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what are the advantages of a 24.5 stem & bar (apart from weight)?
I ride xc/trails usual uk riding (no big jumps/drops etc)
Lighter but more flexy. Far more choice with OS.
OS?
OS is 'over size' on account of the fact that the original diameter for bar/stem combos was 24.5mm and is now looking increasingly like 31.8mm.
I've never been able to tell the difference myself but then improvements in things like strength/weight ratios and stiffness tend to be incremental. Ride a bike from 15 years ago compared to one now and you'll feel a big difference, but the incremental steps are less perceptible.
OS = 31.8. Not a lot of choice in 25.4 and 26, and you have to be sure to not accidently mix the two.
When I get out of the saddle and really use the clipless pedals and bars to get maximum effort, I can feel the bars flexing.
Oversize bars don't seem to flex as much, although I may just be imagining it.