Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - fake Midge bars

Anyone running these?

http://www.broadwayvintage.net/ebayauctions/20070307_000001186.JPG

haha. I love it. on-one rips off the wtb/specialized/nitto design, then whomever makes the bars pictured rips off on-one..i love it.

haha. I love it. on-one rips off the wtb/specialized/nitto design, then whomever makes the bars pictured rips off on-one..i love it.

...for less than half what Midges cost, so I'm gonna love it too if they're worth a ****.

I would like to see a link to a site that sells these and maybe some specs

They remind me of this old set of lugged Japanese north bars I have. I should dig 'em out.

The drops on those are twice as deep as the midge; as is the reach.

You could rest your chin on the stem cap on that one you got there.

From what I've seen, they are direct copies of the on-one bars. A big US wholesaler (J&B Importers) carried on-one stuff for a season, then dropped them and copied the midge, mungo and mary.

If true, that is one mo-fo-ing optical illusion.

I have a set of midge bars right here and their reach is about five inches, drop maybe six or seven. They're wide but compact.

Origin makes several bars that are direct copies of on-one's stuff. On-One is a strange company. They do the same thing with Planet-X. Some of their products are badged as one or the other without any changes.

http://www.origin-8.com/

bars>urban

Are they really called the "Gary (in customer service) Bar"? I can't decide if that funny.

BTW, the pic looks horrible. Marquee's pic does them better justice.

I have a feeling these all come fromt he same friend in south east asia

http://www.origin-8.com/

bars>urban

Are they really called the "Gary (in customer service) Bar"? I can't decide if that funny.

BTW, the pic looks horrible. Marquee's pic does them better justice.

I like how all the bars on that page are "aggressive" :rolleyes:

Well... it's a seller's pic from ebay, not mine. Provided the wheel I need for my Redline project ever ****ing gets here I will probably pick some of these up for it. At this rate it will be June before that bike gets built.

Does anyone know what kind of distribution these have, as in could I order them through my LBS?

I attempted to order these from J&B (Origin 8's sole distributor) and they said they don't even stock them (!), so I gave up. They were going to cost me under 10 bucks which struck me as positively ridiculous for an aluminum handlebar.

Deeper drop and the length of the extension after the drop is longer. But just like the Midge is styled on the WTB, these are styled after the Midge & WTB. Which are all styled on the similar Nittos.

$10 for bars? I had a "bargain" set of bullhorns, crushed the tubing under the clamp on day one. Caviler Emperor

they weren't going to bs stocked until march (at J&B)

They are in now. I just got a pair to build up a bike for a friend. So far so good. They seem a little thinner than the midges and might not be able to handle singletrack as well but for a bang around the city bar, they seem great.

These may be what I need for my cross rig and if they are $20 then I'm going for it.

I just saw some bars kinda like this but they were chrome and had what looked like a bit of rise toward the shoulders before the drop. Anyone know what they might be? I've got some Nitto Noodles that are similar but they are pretty flat along the tops. A slight rise might be nice. All the Midge type bars and copies seem to be black only.

I just saw some bars kinda like this but they were chrome and had what looked like a bit of rise toward the shoulders before the drop. Anyone know what they might be? I've got some Nitto Noodles that are similar but they are pretty flat along the tops. A slight rise might be nice. All the Midge type bars and copies seem to be black only.

You might be thinking about the Randonneur http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=415

http://harriscyclery.net/merchant/370/images/large/randonneur-bars.jpg

I had them on the Cross Check before I mounted the Midge, which were swapped for the current Titec H-Bar clones.

You might be thinking about the Randonneur http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=415

http://harriscyclery.net/merchant/370/images/large/randonneur-bars.jpg

I had them on the Cross Check before I mounted the Midge, which were swapped for the current Titec H-Bar clones.

Those are them. What didn't you like about them and the Midges? Are the Titec's the bees knees?

Those are them. What didn't you like about them and the Midges? Are the Titec's the bees knees?

I had a pair of Midges on my other Cross-Check, the geared one. Liked em so much I got another pair for the fixed CC. The Nittos went onto another one of my bikes. I'd always had a jones (hah, hah) for the H-Bar and decided the Cross-Check was the ideal candidate for a test.

I've though about mounting the displaced Midges on my X0-3, but I don't think I can get the bars up high enough to be truly effective. So they sit wrapped and waiting for the next incarnation.

I like the H, but it takes a bit of tinkering to get the fit right. Much like the Midge.

Update - I just put in an order for these through my LBS. They are crazy cheap. I am quite a few parts short on my Redline project still but I may throw them on one of the other bikes just for kicks.

Whats crazy cheap?

They are about 1/4 the dealer cost of WTB drops...pretty amazing considering they claim to be a high grade of aluminum. The (Taiwa/chi)nese can do it on the cheap!

Whats crazy cheap?

$22 is what they quoted me.

How are the WTB bars by the way, 12XU?

I saw those at an LBS who used to cary the Midge. They are just like the Midge only for $22. they also have a version of the Mungo, and Mary bars all at the same price. Considering I tried to buy a pair of Midge last year for $60, and couldn't get a pair, I for one am glad they are ripping off On One designs since On One apparently couldn't be bothered to provide their bars to U.S. customers at ANY price.

ooh! they also have THESE!
http://www.origin-8.com/flash/dropEnds.jpg

They are about 1/4 the dealer cost of WTB drops...pretty amazing considering they claim to be a high grade of aluminum. The (Taiwa/chi)nese can do it on the cheap!

I didn't think WTB even made those anymore. I tried for months last year to locate a pair of WTB or On One Dirt drops. The only WTB ones I found anywhere were used ones on ebay.

I ride midges now on my cross bike and I am a huge fan. I am thinking about putting a pair on my mountain bike.

I built a bike up for a friend using the gary's. I tried to talk him into the midges or the dirt drops but he wanted to save the coin.

They seem lighter than midges but not as beefy. I didn't have the chance to ride them off road. They'd probably do fine, but I wouldn't ride them. They sell them as an urban bar, not an off road bar so they might not be made to take the same kind of abuse.

I mounted tektro brake levers on them and no matter what I didn, they didn't want to mount in what seemed to be the "natural" position. it might be the combination of the levers and the bars, but anytime I put the levers in the sweet spot, they slid downward. I had to mount them much lower than I would have liked to and it seemed to reduce some of the hand position options.

they seem like they would work well with/for:
-cross top levers
-tri levers mounted backwards in the end
-city riding that doesn't require lane splitting

I would probably spend the extra cash if:
-you're racing cross
-you're riding singletrack
-you're going to use standard road levers (but maybe it was a fluke with the levers I was using)

hopefully someone will get a pair and do all these things and then we'll get a better report.

WTB has a new bar based on the dirt drops. I think they're called mountain drops. ask your LBS to check with Quality. They might only have them in stock in MTB diameters though. They're also pricey.


I didn't think WTB even made those anymore. I tried for months last year to locate a pair of WTB or On One Dirt drops. The only WTB ones I found anywhere were used ones on ebay.

I just bought the Origin8 Midge knock-offs on eBay for $27,
since no local LBS carried them. I'll report on them when I
get my new bike all built up.

In case you're wondering, here's the link to the auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Origin8-Gary-Cyclocross-Touring-Handlebar-Origin-8_W0QQitemZ290114577474QQihZ019QQcategoryZ27951QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

Anyone make bars like these that aren't so damn wide for people who ride near other moving objects with mirrors at bar level? I realize the originals are for trails but it would be cool to see some company do funky bars for street use starting at like 36 or 38cm. If fixed gears are trendy we might as well get some benefit to the big market.

You might look at the Major Taylor bars. They come in a 38cm I think.

You might look at the Major Taylor bars. They come in a 38cm I think.

Yep, and as wide as 48 I think. Dat's a lotta steel.

Soma's got some interesting bars. I like those Sparrows.

Update: My LBS guy says they're still on the boat but these guys (http://wheelandsprocket.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=8223) are selling them for $25, which comes out to $30-ish shipped for me. I guess I'd better call my LBS first and see if they actually have a standing order for me.

Oh yeah, so I love these bars. I've never ridden Midges before,
but I've seen them up close and personal and there's really no
significant difference between the Garys and them.

you know I felt the Gary Bars up at my LBS the other day, and I'm really not so impressed any more.

First of all the flat section on top is narrower than Midges, and then the bend is so tight, my hands really don't fit well into crook of the drop, like in the the natural position to grab a fistful of brake. there is a lot of flare, so the brake hoods will be almost sideways like on a moustache bar. finally the drop section only extends back about as far as the top. In other words they are designed to be a replacement for a flat bar using the same stem you would use with a flat bar, but they give up a lot of the advantages inherent in a drop bar.

I think I'm going to either pony up for the new WTB Mountain Drops, or just use the set of Radoneur bars I've got in the closet.

I bought a pair through ebay and I will be setting them up next week....I'll update this thread with some pics and initial comments once I get it all setup

i believe soma makes some drops similar but with less breadth and maybe a little less drop... those things in the picture are buster-ish

I bought a pair through ebay and I will be setting them up next week....I'll update this thread with some pics and initial comments once I get it all setup

Awesome. Please do.

I know they are pricey, but these
http://www.bikemannetwork.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/Alt-Bimage/HB1519B.jpg
look a hell of a lot better than these
http://www.origin-8.com/flash/garyBar.jpg

the wtbs are 31.8 though which is something to consider as well

the wtbs are 31.8 though which is something to consider as well
They also come in 25.4, so it really isn't.

ohh.... I didn't realize that they came in 25.4 I've only seen 31.8

So here are my initial comments on the origin 8 gary bars

-They definitely are a big adjustment from the standard road drops I have been using at first but after a couple of rides every thing seems ok

-I got a different stem before I mounted these for two reasons 1) the stem I was going to use that did not have a removable faceplate could not get all the way onto the bars 2) I rarely used the drop on my older setup because they were too low so I wanted a setup with less saddle to bar drop than before

-Hand positions seem ok...there seems to be ~4 different hand positions 1)in the drops 2)on the hoods 3)on the bends going down 4)right up next to the stem

-I like positions 1, 3, and 4. Position 2 on the hoods is not as comfortable as on top of the hoods on my old standard road bar setup but I am getting used to it more with each ride. This might improve once I tape the bars as I have been riding without and bar tape because I want to get the position of the levers down before I tape them up.

Overall I am pretty happy with the bars but I am still getting used to not having the top of the hoods be my main hand position. I definitely like the drop position though and the more I ride the more natural it feels. I'll post some pics once I get the bars wrapped up which should be either tomorrow or Thursday

Edit: I am using older shimano 600 aero levers with the bars so you know

http://www.origin-8.com/

bars>urban

Are they really called the "Gary (in customer service) Bar"? I can't decide if that funny.

BTW, the pic looks horrible. Marquee's pic does them better justice.

- the Web site is *awful*... how in the heck can i order/find out where to get one of their products? ANSWER: YOU CAN'T FIND OUT FROM THE WEB SITE!!!!

(stupid Web monkeys don't know how to do HTML, only Flash)...

- the Web site is *awful*... how in the heck can i order/find out where to get one of their products? ANSWER: YOU CAN'T FIND OUT FROM THE WEB SITE!!!!

(stupid Web monkeys don't know how to do HTML, only Flash)...


You can find them on ebay as referenced in a couple of posts earlier in the thread or talk to your LBS about ordering you a pair if you want them

You can find them on ebay as referenced in a couple of posts earlier in the thread or talk to your LBS about ordering you a pair if you want them

- eBay? you're kidding, right???

- eBay is *not* a business plan! eBay is for entertainment purposes only!

- dang! i wish these folks were in my area - i'd get 'em some business presence! (i like the drop bars)

- eBay? you're kidding, right???

- eBay is *not* a business plan! eBay is for entertainment purposes only!

- dang! i wish these folks were in my area - i'd get 'em some business presence! (i like the drop bars)


yes but distribution through a LBS is a viable business option and I am sure your LBS would gladly help you in ordering a pair

So here are my initial comments on the origin 8 gary bars

-They definitely are a big adjustment from the standard road drops I have been using at first but after a couple of rides every thing seems ok

-I got a different stem before I mounted these for two reasons 1) the stem I was going to use that did not have a removable faceplate could not get all the way onto the bars 2) I rarely used the drop on my older setup because they were too low so I wanted a setup with less saddle to bar drop than before

-Hand positions seem ok...there seems to be ~4 different hand positions 1)in the drops 2)on the hoods 3)on the bends going down 4)right up next to the stem

-I like positions 1, 3, and 4. Position 2 on the hoods is not as comfortable as on top of the hoods on my old standard road bar setup but I am getting used to it more with each ride. This might improve once I tape the bars as I have been riding without and bar tape because I want to get the position of the levers down before I tape them up.

Overall I am pretty happy with the bars but I am still getting used to not having the top of the hoods be my main hand position. I definitely like the drop position though and the more I ride the more natural it feels. I'll post some pics once I get the bars wrapped up which should be either tomorrow or Thursday

Edit: I am using older shimano 600 aero levers with the bars so you know


How is the stiffness? Are they flexy compared to other bars you've tried?