Stoker handlebar

[bike shredder]

I have a new C'dale road tandem and my wife would like to change the stoker handlebar to a drop bar. The width of the current stoker bar is 47cm middle to middle and I would like to replace this bar with a drop bar of a similar width. The problem is that all of the common road drop bars are no greater than 44cm in width. The 44cm width does not allow enough room for my thighs and a bag that is hanging from the stoker bar. Any help would be appreciated.

[Michel Gagnon]

That's basically why stoker bars are so wide. A few manufacturers make 42, 44 and 46 cm handlebars while others make 40, 42 and 44 cm handlebars. But just to make it confusing, some measure outsite to outside, while others measure centre to centre.

Two years ago, when I was looking for wide handlebars, I found that Salsa was one of the very few to make handlebars that were 46-cm wide centre to centre. I bougth the [http://www.salsacycles.com/comps_handlebars.html]Salsa Estrada 46-cm[/url].

If you like to experiment with different designs, look at Rivendell's (http://rivendellbicycles.com) online catalogue. They have a few models which are maybe 40-42 cm wide on the top and 48 to 52 cm at the bottom of the drops.

Other solutions: get used to it, change the bag, move the bars closer to her, etc.

[vosyer]

I had a similar issue with cowhorns - Co-motion put in 40's and I switched them out to 46 road bars with a ergo bend out and moved them closer to my stocker. My other option was to buy a Co- motion Meg a Stem or atleast I think thats what it's called with 18 cm of ajustment, but also with more rise with moves the stockers bars up and away from my hips. There are options just working at it.

[sula]

Um, those stokers always causing problems. There does not seam any simple solution to this. What we did was go to a second hand bike shop and hunt about untill we found a pair of bars that fit round my arse. This means when my stoker is riding on the hoods her arms are to wide. However the reality is that she rarley needs to drop low as I make a prity good wind break. Alternative is to get some bars turn them up side down lop off half the hook with a saw. Some folk go for maoutain bike bars etc. However for me just for etheticks I like the look of propper drop bars on each position. Bikes got to look right. Like most of this stuff just fiddle with it untill you foind a solution that works for you. The expensive bit is the stem so have a good think befor splashing cash but you have got to get that right for the whole set up at the back to work.

Have fun

[Lonnie Seachris]

[QUOTE=bike shredder]I have a new C'dale road tandem and my wife would like to change the stoker handlebar to a drop bar. The width of the current stoker bar is 47cm middle to middle and I would like to replace this bar with a drop bar of a similar width. The problem is that all of the common road drop bars are no greater than 44cm in width. The 44cm width does not allow enough room for my thighs and a bag that is hanging from the stoker bar. Any help would be appreciated.[/QUOT

We have changed out the bullhorns on our C-Dale with a set of 42cm drops and they work great. I am not small 5'11'' 205lbs and have no problem.
You may have to extend the stem a little.

[zonatandem]

Wider than 44 cm drop bars are available. 46cm bars by: ITM, Forma 2 Ergo, THE Road, Planet X, TTT and Truvativ. Plus some other companies likely have them as wide.
Or, use a pair of superlong Mt. bike (flat) bars and add a pair of Cane Creek Speedbars or Endless Road Bar Ends at the extremities to use as 'drops.'

[metal_cowboy]

Rivendell carries a 48cm wide bar. http://www.rivbike.com/webalog/handlebars_stems_tape/16111.html

[mrfish]

I have a virtually unused pair of Bontrager 48cm Cyclo Cross bars and adjustable stem that came on my Trek T2000 going spare. (see the picure in the 'my tandem' thread below). If you're in the UK I would be happy to sell it to you for a few £s, but if you're in the US, the postage probably wouldn't be worthwhile, so visit your local Trek dealer who will be able to order this bar. Also when changing don't forget to put some lengths of old brake cables into the grooves (Trek and probably other manufacturers don't) it makes the bar much more comfortable.

As my wife's bars are relatively low and forward and my wife's shoulders are narrow as well, we thought a 42cm ITM millenium bar I had lying around would be better. It works fine, as long as I don't try to reach too far to the side when putting a foot down.

[ElRey]

I'm wth Lonnie on this: I have a Cdale and went to a pair of 40cm drops bars: no troubles. The problem with using a set of 46cm or larger bars is they're not the right size for your stoker. Unless you got one real big stoker. I ride 44s and am 6', 175# with wide shoulders. Putting someone on a set of bars too wide for them is going to cause them trouble after awhile. Try another solution.

[rlong]

Your Trek dealer can get a set of Bontrager Flattops in at least 46mm. The ramp is verry flat, hense the "flat top" name. I think I paid about $50.00. I went to wider, higher bars as suggested by Grant at Rivendell, and all my shoulder and neck issues went away.