Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - WOW! Risers... kind-of.

Ok, so, today I got my Mercier Kilo TT, put it together, and took it for a spin. I hate the handlebars that come with it. I bought a 60cm bike, and the bars are somewhere between 40-42cm. I understand they're trying to capture the "track bike" feel, but most people that I know who need a 60cm frame need at least 44cm bars -- I know I do.

Anyway, to make a long story short, I planned on replacing them with a set of bullhorns as soon as I could get them but after another few spins on the bike I just detested the stock bars more and more. So I started poking around my parts boxes, and came across a set of Weyless XC20 bars -- I think they're considered risers, but it doesn't have a very big rise. Certainly not a flat bar, however.

I put them on my bike, and... WOW! What a difference! Power transfer is way better when I jump out of the saddle for a sprint, I feel FAR more stable. Trackstanding is SO much easier.

They're a little bit too wide; probably close to 50cm. So I'm going to chop them down just a bit, and I think I'll be keeping them. They've made a convert out of me.

nice. post a pic.

nice. post a pic.

Ok, but this is on you... I wasn't going to post pics of yet another virtually stock Kilo TT. :D

http://www.justanotherwebsite.net/images/mercier01.jpg
This is the bike itself with the Weyless XC20 "riser" bar. Oh, it's also got a Dura Ace cog and Surly lockring, so it's not completely stock. Although it is pictured in front of the stock BikeForums garage door. :)


http://www.justanotherwebsite.net/images/mercier02.jpg
This is a close-up of the "rise" in the bars. Like I said... not much, but more than a flat-bar.

Again, they're a bit wide and I plan to chop them a bit.

what sucks worse than the bars is the saddle

what sucks worse than the bars is the saddle

So far I'm fine with the saddle. The bars were my foe. The stem is next. Eventually I'll get to the pedals. And then wheels, once I tear the stock wheels all to hell.

But! Back on topic. I now understand why so many fixie riders opt for risers. When I start to sprint, it fully reminds me of BMX racing back in the day; with the risers it's like my body fell back into that familiar groove.

no what really sucks is the damn clips and straps. and the pedals too. those were the first things i replaced

chop those bad boys and it'll be a lot nicer

yeah those are wiiiide.
looks nice otherwise.

no what really sucks is the damn clips and straps. and the pedals too.

Eh, they work.

C'mon, folks, it's an entry-level bike. The components are going to suck. I don't think anyone wants this thread to turn into another Mercier Kilo TT thread; my purpose in starting the thread was to talk about my Revelation of Risers, not the bike itself.

chop those bad boys and it'll be a lot nicer

About to what should I chop 'em down? I was thinking about 44cm, which is how wide I like my road bars to be. I know that a lot of fixie riders chop 'em WAY down, but I like wider bars.

when i got my mercier, within a week i had smashed the clips to the point of making it difficult to clip in :D

chopping is just a matter of taste. a lot prolly depends on your shoulder width

About to what should I chop 'em down? I was thinking about 44cm, which is how wide I like my road bars to be. I know that a lot of fixie riders chop 'em WAY down, but I like wider bars.

The general rule, from what people post around here, is shoulder-to-shoulder length. You can always measure equally in from each side, place tape on the parts where you don't want yourself to touch (pretending they're shorter), and go for a longish ride.

Ja ne!
$peabody

i like 36cm

...place tape on the parts where you don't want yourself to touch (pretending they're shorter), and go for a longish ride.


That's a really good idea. It is definitely best not to chop the bars until you know you'll be happy with the size.

I have high rise bars (about 2 inches, probably) with a slight sweep, chopped to the width of my shoulders. I was skeptical at first; a friend gave them to me after I was admiring his super short chopped risers, and I was worried that they were too wide. I wanted them for the look (stupid, I know), but after a few rides, I totally fell in love. I still think they look sort of weird being that wide, but they're the most comfortable ride.

Welcome, fellow riser!

I love that Green...it reminds me of a 1976 Toyota Celica GT that I had had many many moons ago.
Yep...8 Track player in the dash...it was hi-tech!

anyway...back to the bike...Risers Rock! when I swoped my drops for risers, I fell in love and saw the light.

I chopped 'em down to 46cm; they were at 60cm on the ruler. They're much narrower now, but I still can't believe how nice of a ride they give.

How do risers ride long distance? Do you find yourself fatigued from the same position for so long?

How do risers ride long distance?

Long distance???? Aren't we just supposed to ride these bikes to Starbucks and back??

Rode 50 miles one day on risers. I was ok but about half way thru i was wishing i had something else.

How do risers ride long distance? Do you find yourself fatigued from the same position for so long?

Not well. There's a reason why drops of some kind have been the standard for over a hundred years.

There is just something about the Kilo TT that i just adore. When it came down to it i had two choice, this bike or build up a Mark V frame set and i went with the mark v but damn for some reason i just like the looks of the Killo TT.

i think i had risers when i rode from san francisco to san jose. about 65mi total

i also rode a kevlar weave shadow conspiracy seat for half the ride

and i forgot to fill up my tires and they were at about 65 psi too

http://www.theshadowconspiracy.com/products/hardgoods/seats/slim-seat.jpg

I've done 80mi on risers. It helps if they're carbon, less arm fatigue.

Hmm. I too just bought this bike and I'm undecided as to whether I should keep the drops or go with a riser or flop n chop.
Would a better set of drop bars feel differently than these cheap ones? I do like having the option for different hand positions, so not sure I'd like the risers, though I like the look of them and I'm sure they're comfortable.

Would a better set of drop bars feel differently than these cheap ones?

Yes.

Wrapping the stem in sandpaper and trying to steer without bars would feel better than the stock bars.