Bar length

[BjornBee]

What is the bar length that everyone is using? And was there a particular reason for choosing your length?

Thank you.

[hilltop hives]

I use 19" so I can put them in my Lang hives and also use Lang frames for splits in my TTBH. I sometimes start the bars in strong Lang hives also. I have one built for this year that I can use as a TBH or a med. long hive using standard frames.

[buckbee]

I use 17" bars, mainly because this is the standard length for frames in UK hives. I once used 14" bars on a 12" wide box but comb was attached all the way down.

The Abbé Warré hive uses bars about 13" long, but side attachments are expected and not a problem with its particular style of management. (see http://warre.biobees.com)

I think there is probably an optimum size for a horizontal TBH and this has to do with thermodynamics - esp. keeping the hive warm in winter. I think 19" is probably wider than I would want to go, but I know you want compatibility with Langs.

[TheCheatOSX]

The hives I'm getting ready to build will have 19" bars for Lang exchangeability. These will be my first hives ever, so take my advice with a grain of salt.

-Chris

[Tim Hall]

I asked this question not too long ago. Some thoughts for you...

http://beesource.com/forums/showpost.php?p=263337&postcount=12

[Dinor]

I use 17inch long Top Bars also. There is a harvesting issue with too long (and deep) a comb. See this discussion on biobees forum:-
http://www.biobees.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=70

[BWrangler]

Hi Guys,

My top bars are 22" long. It results from efforts to maximize volume, to minimize lumber waste, and optimize hive size for hauling. The top bar length was the last aspect worked out when designing my tbh with the major factor being optimum lumber use in the cover.

For my next tbh, I'll probably build my two box combo hive. It's a very close match with my redesigned top bar hive and is compatible with standard equipment. It's top bar length would be 19 7/8".

www.bwrangler.com/bee/lcom.htm

www.bwrangler.com/bee/tnex.htm

Regards
Dennis