Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Wider bars and trackstands

For the last couple months I've been running Nitto B123 drops in the 36cm width. I absolutely love these bars. That said, I realized that I almost never ride in the drops and was feeling like changing something up anyway, so I switched back to my bullhorns earlier today. As usual, I tried to trackstand at the first stoplight I got to where I had to wait. I usually do OK, just sort of creeping a little, trying not to fall over until I just give up and put my feet on the ground. Tonight, though, I just pulled off (and maintained) a trackstand like nothing. WTF? Are slightly wider bars really making that much difference, or did something else happen?

I'm confused but happy...

sure seems like it could be easier, but it could be something else.

I think after attempting track stands long enough you finally hit that sweet spot in your mind. There was an article that I read when i first started riding fixed that talked about the sweet spot, like on a baseball bat, where everything felt natural and you could just stand. This is what it was like for me when I was finally able to pull of a track stand. Also, like riding a bike, once you do it you can just do it from then on.

A wider hand position means you are turning the front wheel less for the same amount of arm motion. Maybe this is preventing you from overcorrecting, or the newly found precision is helping you out.

On the other side of the coin, it was easier for me to do backwards circles using my narrower nitto drops at first. I can finally do them ok on my bullhorns but it took a while to transfer.

Silly me F!Dave - I thought the 36cm bars would be too wide for your narrow ass

I just did the oposite. Went from wide ass nitto bulls to 38cm b123s on my new bike... seemed I was making less adjustments at lights with the narrower bars.

']Silly me F!Dave - I thought the 36cm bars would be too wide for your narrow ass

They were, originally, but then I got a booty upgrade to compensate.

Did someone say wide bars? This thing'll trackstand through a few light cycles without getting cranky.

Yeah, I know, it coasts, brakes, and shifts. Whatever. It's the bars I'm talking about.

http://entirely-adequate.com/monkey/head-on.jpg

jim-bob: is that a karate monkey? if so, SEHEEEXXXXXY. if not, still sexy, just a bit less, so. also, i took my 'crosser up to tilden yesterday afternoon and had a blast on seaview, big springs, and the quarry trails. if your schedule allows, we should hit it up some wednesday or thursday.

on topic: i have noticed that wider bars make it a lot easier to track stand. also, wide riser bars, with a long stem on a MTB make it super easy. it's also pretty easy to trackstand my trek with it's moustache bars.

jim-bob: is that a karate monkey? if so, SEHEEEXXXXXY. if not, still sexy, just a bit less, so. also, i took my 'crosser up to tilden yesterday afternoon and had a blast on seaview, big springs, and the quarry trails. if your schedule allows, we should hit it up some wednesday or thursday.

on topic: i have noticed that wider bars make it a lot easier to track stand. also, wide riser bars, with a long stem on a MTB make it super easy. it's also pretty easy to trackstand my trek with it's moustache bars.

Yes sir, it's a monkey alright. I'm digging the hell out of these massive wheels. It figures that the first 700c bike I really fall for would have big ol' knobbies.

i almost bought my friend's monkey, they're super nice, and from what i hear, there are pretty much zero disadvantages to the larger wheel size. what trails do you usually ride?

36 cm bars? Holy shee-it you must have a very slight frame or a very constricted chest from having your arms so far in, I've found having wider bars allow me to open up my arms and shoulders and allow me to breath on the hills.

36 cm bars? Holy shee-it you must have a very slight frame or a very constricted chest from having your arms so far in, I've found having wider bars allow me to open up my arms and shoulders and allow me to breath on the hills.

5'7" 140lbs....yes - I am small. The 36cm bars are quite comfy.

I'm 5'9" and 145 and run 42 cm bars.... Personal taste I presume has affected both of our decisions (and perhaps shoulder width).

(edit) correct effect/affect usage

I'm 6'1" about 195lbs and I love my 36cm bars.
Maybe I'm crazy.

I'm pretty big (6'1", 160 lbs) so I switched from 38 cm drops to 42 cm bullhorns. I like the change, but it's hard to tell if it's made it easier to trackstand.

I think wider bars make it easier, to a point. It's easier to move the wheel for corrections because you have more leverage.

I think wider bars make it easier, to a point. It's easier to move the wheel for corrections because you have more leverage.

bull horns just make every ting easier

...and today I'm less good at them again. Not like before - I've still improved, but I can't hold 'em like I was yesterday. Weird.

out of curiosity: what kind of bullhorns are you running? I'm considering switching because I never ever ride the drops, but they all look stupidly shaped in pictures. But then I'll see someone on the street with ones that look exactly how I want. Something tells me I like the ghetto chopped ones more than "real" bullhorns.. :P

I have modified Nashbar bullhorns. I never rode 'em out at the ends, so I cut 3 inches off either end of the bar and they're fantastic like that. I no longer have a brake, but you get the idea from the photo.

not to get off topic... but I have to ask... fugazi dave, whats with the "fugazi" ? They are my fav band.. so cheers if thats why. Just curious