Protaper invented the sans-crossbar oversized handlebar and has managed to remain at the head of the class despite plenty of other manufacturers offering big bars.
The Protaper Contour is the company's mid-priced model. The big bar is made out of super-light aerospace aluminum and has a nice gold shine to it. Pro Taper uses a special chemical process to apply their graphics so they won't scrape off like stickers do.
The bar's bend is modeled after the preferences of Chad Reed and Doug Henry. The two apparently share the exact same taste in handlebars. The bend itself is pretty middle-of-the-road at 92mm high with a 57mm pullback. Make sure to check out your current handlebar's measurements before you invest in a new one, as a difference in handlebar height can really affect the feel of your bike. The Henry/Reed bend is higher than some stock bends and lower than others. It all just depends on the manufacturer.
If you do feel like the bar is too wide, Pro Taper makes it easy to cut the bar with pre-printed 1/4" cut lines. One last thing to be aware of is that these are oversized 1 1/8" bars that do require a special, and sold-separately, oversized bar mount.
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