Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - mustache bars

I'm having a dilemna. I am building up bike number 3. Number 1 has drops, number 2 has bullhorns. I like both, but neither completely. I am thinking about doing that whole mustache bar thing hoping it might be a good mix of the two, but afraid it might be inferior to both (ie, not out infront enough like bullhorns, but not low and in like drops either). Can anyone who rides them give me a comparision? Better yet, anyone in Brooklyn who has them willing to let me take yer bike around the block?

If I did it, I am thinking about the Nitto bars...any other suggestions?

http://www.bikemannetwork.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/GL-HB/HB1011.jpg

I know a lot of people have and like them. Personally, I look at them and wonder what I would do with myself. Perhaps you should try some bullhorns with a decent drop to them.

I was thinking about that, but I think the drop would be too far forward for what I like. Honestly, I think drops w/ brake hoods would be ideal, but goddamn if thats ugly IMO (I like a clean look). I'm also debating just flipping some promenade or cruiser bars upside down.

I was thinking about that, but I think the drop would be too far forward for what I like. Honestly, I think drops w/ brake hoods would be ideal, but goddamn if thats ugly IMO (I like a clean look). I'm also debating just flipping some promenade or cruiser bars upside down.

The fact that you "think drops w/ brake hoods would be ideal", but are afraid to try them because you think they don't look cool speaks volumes...

Straight/riser bars?

mustache bars always looked to "old school" for me. I love lugged frames and all, but mustache's....

it's kind of like seeing someone restoring an old car and putting original tires on it that are really thin...

I have some moustache bars on order, the Nitto ones. If by "promenade" bars you mean those bars you find on "little old lady" bikes, I took a pair of those and put them on a beach cruiser, but upside-down. So, they were like moustaches but a bit wider. Except for the width, I loved them. So, the Nitto moustaches, being about the same width as drops, ought to be perfect.

And I think having the original tires, as far as width and preferably make, style, etc on an old restored car seperates the "men from the boys" in that area.

moustache bars are 51cm. thats much wider than any drops i've ever had.

still, they're great. they climb better than anything i've tried (and i've tried a multitude of bullhorns) and they have lots of spots to put your hands, which is always a plus.

Wow, and you think mustache bars look good and drops and hoods don't? I guess maybe it's the "old man" chic. Mustache bars on a pretty frame make me want to cry.

No I don´t think it´s old man chic. I think it´s more of a vintage city cruiser chic and if put on the right frame can look damned sexy.

Moustache bars started looking attractive only after I turned 40. I've had these for almost 3 years on my Steamroller:

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/leakos2.htm


Another shot:

and i copied the fixer's bar/stem combo after seeing his bike on FGG.

sure is nice. i like the sound of 'old man chic', although i'm only 21. can't stand any of my peers though.

The fact that you "think drops w/ brake hoods would be ideal", but are afraid to try them because you think they don't look cool speaks volumes...
welcome to cycling, the look of a bike is probably one of the most important things to more people than you'd think

I know a lot of people have and like them. Personally, I look at them and wonder what I would do with myself.

I say the same thing about bullhorns.

If you want to feel more stretched out bullhorns are a crappy alternative (in so many ways) to drop bars with longer stem and/or longer top tube.

Wider grip? Get wider drop bars.

Upshot: drop bars give you more options with regard to position. Road cyclists have negated some of the advantages of "drop bar design" with the advent of the "brifter age" IMO.

I rode nitto moustache bars on a fixed gear conversion I had and they were very good. I enjoyed the upright riding positions they offerred and like the "old school" aesthetic they offerred as opposed to straight bars or (gasp) bullhorns. However, on my track bikes I always use a type of bar that was designed for a track bike. I ride track drops as well as an old type of handle bar designed for track bikes and path racers which seems like a cross between moustache and drops. Perhaps you have seen these a vintage photo.

Nashbar's Moustache bars are on sale now...

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=92&subcategory=1049&brand=&sku=13586&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

... an old type of handle bar designed for track bikes and path racers which seems like a cross between moustache and drops. Perhaps you have seen these a vintage photo.

can we see pics? and do you have a name for these bars? i think i know what you are talking about...but not sure.

thanks

can we see pics? and do you have a name for these bars? i think i know what you are talking about...but not sure.

thanks
i need to wait two days for my digi camera to be returned will post then

I think this is a good example of path racer bars I found in the FFG.
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/nakashima.htm

Notice those with that crazy long stem place your hands the same place moustaches place your hands with a normal stem.

I like seeing how bars evolve... The path bars are the start, then then the Hulk punches the bars in the center, and turns them into moustache bars, and then the Hulk bends the curves around, making drop bars. Then he turns them over and bites the ends off, making bullhorns, then he bends the ends straight, and makes flat bars.

Hulk smash, Hulk manufacture handlebars!!!

peace,
sam

Hahahaha!

Seriously, that scorcher is hot!

those scorcher bars make me sigh in the good way.

i have moustache bars on my trek tourer, which is currently set up for more townie riding. i like them a lot for riding around the east bay and SF. Though they are a bit wide at times, that width provides a lot of stability. for longer rides though, (40+ miles) they're not that great. my whole upper body gets super fatigued after a while on them. i might just need a shorter stem, but i had a hard enough time finding/getting the one i have now, that i don't want to change it.

they'd probably be pretty nice on a fixed gear, or single speed with a coaster + front brake. or some crazy townie speedster bike....hmmm......

"... an old type of handle bar designed for track bikes and path racers which seems like a cross between moustache and drops. Perhaps you have seen these a vintage photo."

I'd like to see a pic too. There is a guy I see in my neighborhood w/ a pursuit bike that I think has bars like what you are talking about. I really like them but don't know what they are called. the ones I've seen are basically like drops only they don't drop down nearly as much and have basically little to no reach.

Kinda imagine if you had bullhorns with a deep drop (for bullhorns) and turned them around so the horns were facing you and make that have sex with normal drops and their baby is what I am talking about. Maybe your description of mustache bars crossed with drops is better...anyway, I think you know what I mean. What are those called? who sells them? etc. etc.

After like an hour of trying to find what I mean on google, the best I can do is to say, its something like these bars if flipped upside down (and obviously, imagine a stem on them).

http://www.bugattirevue.com/revue19/velobug.jpg

Kinda imagine if you had bullhorns with a deep drop (for bullhorns) and turned them around so the horns were facing you and make that have sex with normal drops and their baby is what I am talking about. Maybe your description of mustache bars crossed with drops is better...anyway, I think you know what I mean. What are those called? who sells them? etc. etc.I can imagine these perhaps...

....or these WTB Dirt Drops on my tourer...

Oops. I am drunk as hell. Didn't see the link to the scorcher bars, those are much closer to what I had in mind. What choices are there for something like that?

F*ck. Drunk. keep posting and not seeing previous posts. are there bars like the last two pictured that don't bend out so wide? But that first pic by fixer...the dirty ones...what are those?

Too much gin and obsession leads to too many posts in a row.

Basically, I find bullhorns too much out in front and too high, and drops too low and too close to the knees. I want something in between. Kinda like if you had a long stem with a steep downward angle and put bullhorns on backwards. Damn...maybe I'll just try that, except bullhorns curve up at the ends, so that doesn't work. Those scorcher bars would work, only I would flip that stem upside down (if it wasn't so steep and long, and, you know, could actually flip it).

OK. I drunkenly did my best to draw what I mean, but its not quite right, but hopefully it shows what I mean...



http://photos17.flickr.com/23210623_bee8261470.jpg

This drawing wins. I love it.

Too much gin and obsession leads to too many posts in a row.

Basically, I find bullhorns too much out in front and too high, and drops too low and too close to the knees. I want something in between. Kinda like if you had a long stem with a steep downward angle and put bullhorns on backwards. Damn...maybe I'll just try that, except bullhorns curve up at the ends, so that doesn't work. Those scorcher bars would work, only I would flip that stem upside down (if it wasn't so steep and long, and, you know, could actually flip it).

OK. I drunkenly did my best to draw what I mean, but its not quite right, but hopefully it shows what I mean...



http://photos17.flickr.com/23210623_bee8261470.jpg

Good picture.

I still say drops are the best and make adjustments with stem and frame size.


looking at picture I say adjust drop bars with stem height and length.

Too much gin and obsession leads to too many posts in a row.

Basically, I find bullhorns too much out in front and too high, and drops too low and too close to the knees. I want something in between. Kinda like if you had a long stem with a steep downward angle and put bullhorns on backwards. Damn...maybe I'll just try that, except bullhorns curve up at the ends, so that doesn't work. Those scorcher bars would work, only I would flip that stem upside down (if it wasn't so steep and long, and, you know, could actually flip it).

OK. I drunkenly did my best to draw what I mean, but its not quite right, but hopefully it shows what I mean...



http://photos17.flickr.com/23210623_bee8261470.jpg

Computing While Intoxicated. That's beautiful.

Someone must sell these "path racer" bars but it looks to me like the simplest approximation is to use a pair of Nitto albatross, flipped over. Or try chopping and flipping a pair of MTB risers--not as much sweep, but a similar angle downward.

What about mustache rides?

These are the handlebars I want...where do I get these?

http://www.63xc.com/gaansari/henrycop.jpg

those are nice. i have had the same trouble with the moustache/bull/drop problem. i am riding drops now but i want a longer extension, a la time trials. but then i feel weird, too far out from the center of the frame. these look they could pull you out a bit, but also give options closer in. let us know if you find them.
seems like you could maybe flip the nitto 'north road' and get somewhere???
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/handlebars.html

Upon further inspection of nylund's drawing,



http://photos17.flickr.com/23210623_bee8261470.jpg

i think that I agree with 53-11: the best solution is to adjust stem height and extension and use drop bars, specifically "randonneur" style drops that will offer a few more positions and are actually designed for long rides, hence the name. for some reason (a handlebar tape thread?) i was reading the Rivendell site this morning and they have a lot to say about the value of drop bars in a carefully adjusted, comfortable position. they also have a good selection of variously-designed drop bars and stems to make these adjustments possible.

None of these options will get you bars as cool-looking as what shall now be known as the Path Racers, but they may help you find that sweet spot 'twixt the Bull and the Drop, yo. Someday I'm gonna go over to that Rivendell place and find out for myself.


edit: but flipping and chopping those North Roads seems like a pretty good idea.

One last pic then I am done. Do they have a real name? or is "path racer" bars the best anyone can come up with?

http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/Museum/Transport/bicycles/RudgeWedgeRoyalRRacer.jpg

now THAT is the bike i was looking for. So sweet! I have a b/w line drawing of the exact same bike I found in a dictionary or old magazine or something. "1904 fixed gear roadster" it sez.

I like Path Racer. Back then they were probably called Handlebars.

I tried moustache bars, because they looked great and I want to live everything Rivendell. But they weren't for me. Most of the time, I just used the side positions (like bar ends on a mountain bike), and found I was just happier with a Scott AT-2 type bar.

I tried moustache bars, because they looked great and I want to live everything Rivendell. But they weren't for me. Most of the time, I just used the side positions (like bar ends on a mountain bike), and found I was just happier with a Scott AT-2 type bar.Sounds like you mounted them backwards. The "side positions" wouldn't be like an MTB bar end unless you pointed them forward...

http://photos17.flickr.com/23210623_bee8261470.jpg

If you look at that bullhorn position you'll notice a little curve going upwards from the flat spot. You could move the stem up and lengthen it and the curve of the drop could theoretically be the same spot. Plus you would have a "laid back" top position too.

Nitto makes some crazy wide 48cm "noodle bars" too if you wanted extra wideness with your drop bars (Rivindell site has these)

I know a lot of people hate ergo drops here, but there are some that have a little "unobtrusive Flat spot" to grob that doesn't look so heinous as the ones with the "palm swell". I'm speaking strictly function here and It may clash with the "style" but that's what's on the table for ergonomics.

I think drop bars are the most elegant handlebar ever made in form and function so I'm biased.

i just went to the shop and looked thru their old cruiser bars til i found something with a bend, drop and sweep that i liked, then cut about 3" off the ends.
http://fixedgeargallery.com/2005/apr/JohnMarkBoling.htm
it cost me $5, but i hear that on-one has the same sort of thing for a lot more...

hey peeps - Soma's new catalog has bars listed as "Major Taylor Track Bars"
25.4mm Center
42-52cm in 2 cm increments.
Chrome-plated, Tange steel.
shoot 'em an email! (no pic on the site yet)

Moustache bars made my bike ugly.
:(

One last pic then I am done. Do they have a real name? or is "path racer" bars the best anyone can come up with?

http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/Museum/Transport/bicycles/RudgeWedgeRoyalRRacer.jpg




Purist trackies among you notice the wide clearances ;) !

I think bullhorns ugly. Mustache pretty. Old-style track bars prettiest.

Has anyone found a pic for those Major Taylor Track Bars yet? I'm having no luck.

PS. So with stories like Cindarella Man, Seabiscuit, etc., how long until they make the movie "Major Taylor"?

"before there was jesse owen, before jackie robinson, there was major taylor, the greatest athelite the world forgot." (not my quote).

Seriously, from his youth in the circus, to being a black athlete during the turn of the century, the fights on the track, the racism, his exciting, crowd pleasing racing style, to his death as a pauper during the great depression...it has Oscar written all over it.

http://www.geocities.com/major_taylor_mn/MJTAYLOR.JPG

OK. WOW that pic was big.

They may have made a movie, or at least a tv-movie, about Taylor, and I'd like to see a big-screen version, yeah if they can do Cinderella Man, they can do one about Taylor, I'd go see it.

Maybe when gas is $5 a gallon and more people are biking, at least riding their SS "utility" bikes to the market etc., we'll see more movies with bicycles in them.

If Nitto had called the moustache bars "Turn of the Century Track bars" instead, they'd be selling out of them.

Funny how the bars Major Taylor is riding are nearly identical to current moustache bars. His have a bit more drop, but they are darn close.

Moustache bars made my bike ugly.
:(

Wouldn't that be cause for celebration? I thought you liked ugly bikes. My world is crumbling, jim-bob.

m.