General Cycling Discussion - Do bar ends only help when standing?

I have a Trek 7.5 FX and have a few really good hills in the middle of my work commute. From reading here I gather that bar ends help with hill climbing from a standing position. Also, from reading an article by Sheldon Brown he recommends not to stand when pedaling (http://sheldonbrown.com/standing.html).

My question is this, are bar ends only effective from a standing position or can they be adjusted to help from a seated position as well?

Bar ends definitely help shift your weight forward while seated and aid in climbing.

Don't stand when pedaling?
That helps me stretch and also work out a different muscle group.
However, nothing helps as much as the wed. afternoon massage. Good lord I love having a massage therapist as a boss. Free massages!

Re-read the Sheldon Brown article. It's good advice.

Unless you really do have 100% faith that nothing will go wrong, mechanically or otherwise.

Bar-ends became popular through mountain biking; riders found that they could gain some leverage and climb stronger by grabbing onto the forward-pitched bar-ends and "pulling" with your arms, especially during extra steep, technical sections. They're also good for providing an extra hand position on a mountain bike for road riding. Depending on the handlebar/stem setup, they can also put the rider into a more aero position. As far as "are they only good for climbing while standing?", I'd say no, they're good for more than that. No reason to not use them for a little more pitched forward position on the bike when climbing seated, also-

Thanks for the replies all. I think I may order a pair this week. Anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks for the replies all. I think I may order a pair this week. Anyone have any recommendations?
Cane Creek Ergo Control 2's... Very comfortable, very expensive though.

Thanks for the replies all. I think I may order a pair this week. Anyone have any recommendations?

I've got a recommendation. Don't angle them upward any more than 15% from level to the ground. Do so and you'll look like a weenie.;)

Seriously, though. I recommend these:

http://a1072.g.akamai.net/f/1072/2062/1d/gallery.rei.com/media/690764.jpg

Mmmmmmm.........Carbon fiber bar ends.:love:

I recomend the Sette ones from PricePoint.com, they are carbon and cheaper. Also not sure if bar ends would do u much good on road climbs. Its mostly to that you can keep your traction in the rear while standing and leaning forward to keep your front wheel down.

Is it really a bad thing to use bar ends with riser bars? 'Coz I've heard people say that it is... :rolleyes:

Is it really a bad thing to use bar ends with riser bars? 'Coz I've heard people say that it is... :rolleyes:

Rider bars tend to be wider in order to provide space for the shifters and brake levers and grips all on the outside of the rise. Because of that they usually are swept back at more of an angle to give a more ergonomic wrist angle. The sweep back makes bar ends point outward and looks goofy.

These are the most effective/efficient bar ends i have ever used.....
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/11036-015_SINST2-3-Parts-62-Handlebars/Mountain/Bar-Ends/Singletrack-Solutions-ST-Lites-Bar-Ends.htm

Is it really a bad thing to use bar ends with riser bars? 'Coz I've heard people say that it is... :rolleyes:

Would placing bar ends on these be considered a "cycling faux paux"?

Would placing bar ends on these be considered a "cycling faux paux"?

Probably, but you're the only person that bike has to make happy. Why don't you try them for yourself? You can always take them off again if you decide that you don't like them.

Rider bars tend to be wider in order to provide space for the shifters and brake levers and grips all on the outside of the rise. Because of that they usually are swept back at more of an angle to give a more ergonomic wrist angle. The sweep back makes bar ends point outward and looks goofy.

So it's more of an aesthetic issue and annoyance with other cyclist versus a performance issue, correct? I'll take your advice and try them out anyway. Thanks again all.

So it's more of an aesthetic issue and annoyance with other cyclist versus a performance issue, correct? I'll take your advice and try them out anyway. Thanks again all.

Oh yeah! At least 50% of bicycle upgrades is thinking up a performance reason for doing what you want to do to your bicycle aesthetically.

Oh yeah! At least 50% of bicycle upgrades is thinking up a performance reason for doing what you want to do to your bicycle aesthetically.

:p

What I meant was placing bar ends on my bars because they are not flat bars would not hinder performance of the bar ends? Basically people snide at bar ends on risers just due to how it looks but not how they perform? I couldn't care much if people think it looks goofy but if the bar ends help me out I'm all for it. :D

Yeah. They'll work just fine. I hate not having bar ends on flat handlebar bikes. I like having the opportunity to rotate my wrists the other way and the ability to keep weight on the front wheel will determine how steep of a hill you can climb..

Excellent, thanks once more! :)

I see nothing wrong with them...I have a set of bar ends on my MTB and I do like them for leaning forward on a climb. I am still trying to find the most comfortable angle for them. I have changed it since this photo was taken.

Cheers,

Brian
http://img335.imageshack.us/img335/7899/mystable0031sl.jpg

Oh yeah! At least 50% of bicycle upgrades is thinking up a performance reason for doing what you want to do to your bicycle aesthetically.

I'm gonna go for a set of these and see how they work for me. Hey & they match my frame as well, I think I'm catching on. :p
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000BDHWKW.01-A369ZTW9RUY8F0._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Oh yeah! At least 50% of bicycle upgrades is thinking up a performance reason for doing what you want to do to your bicycle aesthetically.

Grouch, you are so right.

Grouch, you are so right.

++1...The only performance upgrade I've made has been clipless pedals.

Cheers,

Brian

These are the most effective/efficient bar ends i have ever used.....
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/11036-015_SINST2-3-Parts-62-Handlebars/Mountain/Bar-Ends/Singletrack-Solutions-ST-Lites-Bar-Ends.htm



http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Bar_End/product_88862.shtml

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Bar_End/product_88862.shtml
I don't bother with that mtbr.com (review portion) BS:rolleyes:
I have been using them for a couple of years with no complaints. no problem with them breaking either,as a matter of fact i just endoed not to long ago on pavement after hitting a pothole going about 20+mph that was submerged in water that was about 3'w by 1'deep & one of them got ground down(didn't break :rolleyes: ) & i built it back up with excellent results.
To be honest, i have never used a barend that has rivalled the efficiency of them. Although i have never tried the Serfas which looks basically the same in hand positioning regards.
I don't doubt(or blame them) they shut the contact part of their website down, considering the way some people are.

I use these:
http://www.serfas.com/gripsbar_tape/DDBE.shtml

I use these:
http://www.serfas.com/gripsbar_tape/DDBE.shtml
How do you like them?
Have you crashed with them yet?

I like 'em a lot. I prefer to ride with my hands towards the end of the handlebar so the bar ends provide a perfect place for my hands to rest and helped cut down on the numbness in my right hand (not related to fit...its from a previous wrist injury).

Haven't crashed with them...yet...heh, but I would imagine the wouldn't be damaged too much as they seem pretty durable.

[QUOTE=banzai_f16]Re-read the Sheldon Brown article. It's good advice.
[QUOTE]

Not for everybody it isn't. I like riding out of the saddle, it changes the muscles I use and helps keep riding enjoyable. Mind you, I like doing brevets. Some techniques suitable for a short 100km ride can be quite different after 1000km. I doubt that even Mr Brown would ride a 1200km brevet without standing up.