A handlebar with directional performance characteristics is disclosed. The handlebar includes a stem clamp region, a plurality of control end regions, and a plurality of transition regions. A cross-section of at least a portion of one or more of the plurality of transition regions includes an asymmetric cross-section based on an intersection of plurality of ellipses and defined by four different radii R1, R2, R3, R4 and an angle (α) of an axis of symmetry of said ellipses, wherein said plurality of ellipses have coincident centers.