Mountain Biking - Bar end recommendations?

What are some good end bars that you guys use?

Also how do you install them? Do you have to cut your grip? or do they go over the end of the grip?

Where to find "end" caps for bars?



Thanks for helping a newbie out.

can creek ergo control 2's.. sooooooooo nice, but quite expensive.

http://www.canecreek.com/uploads/pics/ergo_II_02.jpg

have them on my bike, they are awesome...

Extralite Ultra Ends. Only 28g per.

http://www.extralite.com/index_euro.htm

Those do look comfy.. I was thinking Carbon... hard to decide when you don't have access to a bike store that carries a lot of different options..

What are some good end bars that you guys use?

Also how do you install them? Do you have to cut your grip? or do they go over the end of the grip?

Where to find "end" caps for bars?

Any decent set will do fine. Decent ones will have bar-to-bar contact over most of the mounting surface. Cheap ones will have a rail-like construction that pinches tight to stay in place. This rail leads to a weaker connection and will damage your handlebar if you tighten it enough.

Installation method is a personal choice. I leave my grips full length so my hand position is just a tad closer together. Some don't like this and cut the grip to make up for the bar width. Its just a matter of taste.

Your bars should already come with end caps or be welded closed at the end. I never had to try, but regular bar caps might work here too.

Dangerboy.

I have some Bontrager carbon bar ends that look and feel great.

http://www.bontrager.com/Mountain/Parts_and_Accessories/Handlebar_Accessories/21368.php

Single tracks are cheap and work great.

Single tracks are cheap and work great.

That's what I use, the ST-lites (http://www.speedgoat.com/product.asp?part=45442&cat=20&brand=231). They are extremely cheap, very light and work perfectly. Hard to beat them.

Any decent set will do fine. Decent ones will have bar-to-bar contact over most of the mounting surface. Cheap ones will have a rail-like construction that pinches tight to stay in place. This rail leads to a weaker connection and will damage your handlebar if you tighten it enough.

Every barend I've ever seen has a pinch clamp to hold them in place...even the cheapest ones. I have no idea what a "rail-like construction" is. A good cheap carbon barend are the Titec Plutos (http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=19202). I've owned other Titecs and have no complaints.


Installation method is a personal choice. I leave my grips full length so my hand position is just a tad closer together. Some don't like this and cut the grip to make up for the bar width. Its just a matter of taste.

I agree. I move mine inboard on the bar by injecting water under the grip (Do not use WD-40!:eek: ). You may want to take the grip off entirely and spray hairspray into the grip and reinstall. This insures that you grips will be restuck on the bar.


Your bars should already come with end caps or be welded closed at the end. I never had to try, but regular bar caps might work here too.

I've never seen a bar that is welded closed. Never. Every single one I've ever seen has an open end that is closed with a plug. For plugs you can use the extra cheap plastic ones that come with bars or you can get ones that go in road bars (they work in mountain bike bars) like [/URL] or [URL="http://www.rivbike.com/webalog/handlebars_stems_tape/16077.html"]these (http://www.lickbike.com/sectionsublist.aspx?SECTION='0036'&SUBSECTION='150'&SECTIONNAME='Handlebar%20Tape/Grips'&SUBSECTIONNAME='PLUGS') from Velox or cool ones like these (http://www.barplugs4u.com/page/page/1461982.htm) plastic ones or uber cool ones like these (http://www.purelycustom.com/bicycle_handlebarCaps.html) from Purely Custom. You can even get custom designs from Purely Custom.

Thanks for all the help..

Those custom cap ends are sweet...

Every barend I've ever seen has a pinch clamp to hold them in place...even the cheapest ones. I have no idea what a "rail-like construction" is. A good cheap carbon barend are the Titec Plutos (http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=19202).

The rail I refer to is the contact area of the pinch clamp. I've seen cheap ones with the contact area being raised off the bar by rails to make it look beefy. It looks like a one-sided I-beam wrapped around the bar.



I've never seen a bar that is welded closed. Never. Every single one I've ever seen has an open end that is closed with a plug.

I stand corrected. I was sure I had seen bar ends "welded" closed but I was wrong. I searched for some pictures to show you but I found no "welded" ends. All I found was carbon bars with closed ends such as this one:
http://www.preisvergleich.org/pimages/Profile-Design-Carbon-Ergo-Bar-Ends_193__PRD200001_20.jpg

I thought some of those were metallic.

I have some cheapo profile designs which I wrapped in cork tape

I like em.

i use some specialized bar ends because i ride a specialized. i don't like them too much because they are pretty big, but it looks like theyre making some smaller as in shorter ones with a more ergonamic design this year. the length isn't a technical problem by any means, simply aesthetic. my bike looks like a bull. boo ya!

The rail I refer to is the contact area of the pinch clamp. I've seen cheap ones with the contact area being raised off the bar by rails to make it look beefy. It looks like a one-sided I-beam wrapped around the bar.



I stand corrected. I was sure I had seen bar ends "welded" closed but I was wrong. I searched for some pictures to show you but I found no "welded" ends. All I found was carbon bars with closed ends such as this one:
http://www.preisvergleich.org/pimages/Profile-Design-Carbon-Ergo-Bar-Ends_193__PRD200001_20.jpg

I thought some of those were metallic.

I understand now. I've not seen any barends except with a smooth pinch clamp. Not say that what you're describing doesn't exist but I've never seen one.

Most all of the closed ended barends I've seen are either carbon like the one you linked or made of billet. Most of the rest just have a simple plastic plug.

Single track solutions st lites.

can creek ergo control 2's.. sooooooooo nice, but quite expensive.

http://www.canecreek.com/uploads/pics/ergo_II_02.jpg

have them on my bike, they are awesome...

I might consider something like these, I've crashed enough using the traditional "tree-hook" stlye of bar ends.

I might consider something like these, I've crashed enough using the traditional "tree-hook" stlye of bar ends.
in my two seasons of using them, i havent had them hook on a tree :beer: but as others have said, there are lighter and much cheaper similar designs out there, but i can guarantee you, these puppies are comfy!!!

The other nice thing about them is that they are ODI compatible, so basically the barend itself acts as one of the jaws.

in my two seasons of using them, i havent had them hook on a tree :beer: but as others have said, there are lighter and much cheaper similar designs out there, but i can guarantee you, these puppies are comfy!!!

The other nice thing about them is that they are ODI compatible, so basically the barend itself acts as one of the jaws.

Being ODI compatible is a definate plus. Is that how it is pictured? IIRC, cane creek makes and ODI grip.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=48022607&parent_category_rn=4500799&vcat=REI_SEARCH

L-bars are less likely to hook trees. In fact, they deflect you off of trees and protect your hands from strikes (if you're on the grips). Out in the open, they allow you to stretch out and get more "aero".

http://a1072.g.akamai.net/f/1072/2062/1d/gallery.rei.com/media/690762.jpg

I'm not sure if anyone makes carbon fiber L-bars. My opinion seems to be a minority as so many folks are after "mini" bar ends that weigh less.

Being ODI compatible is a definate plus. Is that how it is pictured? IIRC, cane creek makes and ODI grip.
yep, it looks real clean. Im using race face diablos ODI grips, and looks just as good.

That's what I use, the ST-lites (http://www.speedgoat.com/product.asp?part=45442&cat=20&brand=231). They are extremely cheap, very light and work perfectly. Hard to beat them.

Can you grab a "whole hand" around those anterior to the handlebar or are you grabbing the ends of the bar only?

I might consider something like these, I've crashed enough using the traditional "tree-hook" stlye of bar ends.
I have a set of the version 1 and have not hooked a tree yet. Ive had them for 3+ years now. Ive bounced off a few but not hooked. I can also brake and shft with my hand on them and turning is almost as natural feeling as hands on the bars on technical climbs. I use them more for a way to alternate hand positions for 2+ hour rides but they work well on steep twisty climbs too. well worth the $ I paid. they have survived many crashes as well and came out unharmed

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=48022607&parent_category_rn=4500799&vcat=REI_SEARCH

L-bars are less likely to hook trees. In fact, they deflect you off of trees and protect your hands from strikes (if you're on the grips). Out in the open, they allow you to stretch out and get more "aero".

http://a1072.g.akamai.net/f/1072/2062/1d/gallery.rei.com/media/690762.jpg

I'm not sure if anyone makes carbon fiber L-bars. My opinion seems to be a minority as so many folks are after "mini" bar ends that weigh less.

Guess one with that much of an angle can prevent banging up knuckles on trees. The riser bar I installed a while back was much wider than the OEM from my bike.

Since I have a wide bar, I notice far less arm fatigue from riding (even on 2 hr+ rides). The hardest thing about getting used to the wider bar was the increased turning levreage - much less percieved effort wouls really move the front wheel.

I use a set of aluminum "tree hooks," but they get cold around this time of year. I've got huge hands so I took a set of rubber grips and slid them over the bar ends. They are extremely comfortable and look flippin sweet too!