Fifty Plus (50+) - Snidely Whiplash Steering

Or for those who are in the 50+ forum illegally: Moustache handlebars.
< http://bullwinkle.toonzone.net/snidely.htm >

I've never used them, and wondering if anyone has their bikes set up with moustache bars. If you do ... or ever did ... What did you like about the moustache bars and what were you using the bike for?

What did you not like about the moustache bars?

motor,
Just so you know that someone is reading this post I will start. I have never ridden with those bars. All of my bikes have aero bars on them. I actually was looking at a set on the web for my wife who actually prefers flat bars even though she rides with drop bars.

I have used moustache on a couple of bikes. First was a Trek 970 rigid MTB converted to road bike used mostly for short rides around town. In fact, I called that bike "Snidely Whiplash" because of the bars. The configuration was short lived as I converted the bike back into a real MTB with a normal riser bar. Soon I put the moustache bars on a 1980 Fuji road bike, the original configuration of Uncle Duke.
I liked the bars for short to medium length rides, but not for long rides as there was no position as comfortable as on the hoods of a drop bar. The bars were great for climbing, especially standing and powering up short hills. Holding out near the ends of the bars gave great leverage and helped to really push the legs down while climbing.
As the role of that bike evolved toward longer rides, I switched to a drop bar. I plan to use the bar again whenever I finally get around to making a fixie from the lugged steel Univega road frame in my shed.
I found the bars much more comfortable with the ends angled down more than many pictures I see. I couldn't get comfortable at all with the bars level.
You'll probably want a shorter stem than you would use with a drop bar.

Ever get the feeling that on this forum, it doesn't matter what you want to do, someone's already been there and done that? (in the nicest possible of way of course - oh no, I just pictured Kenny Everett "In the best possible taste")

Richard

I didn't have access to my pictures from work.

Here is Snidely...
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Uncle%20Duke/th_DSCF0670.jpg (http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Uncle%20Duke/DSCF0670.jpg)http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Uncle%20Duke/th_DSCF0669.jpg (http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Uncle%20Duke/DSCF0669.jpg)http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Uncle%20Duke/th_DSCF0668.jpg (http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Uncle%20Duke/DSCF0668.jpg)



and Uncle Duke...
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Uncle%20Duke/th_DSCF2177.jpg (http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Uncle%20Duke/DSCF2177.jpg)http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Uncle%20Duke/th_DSCF2128.jpg (http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Uncle%20Duke/DSCF2128.jpg)http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Uncle%20Duke/th_DSCF2121.jpg (http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Uncle%20Duke/DSCF2121.jpg)

First was a Trek 970 rigid MTB converted to road bike used mostly for short rides around town. In fact, I called that bike "Snidely Whiplash" because of the bars.

Good pictures of Snidely, BluesDawg. I'm tinkering with finding a use for my Trek 730 (circa 1993-1995; green cro-moly). Me and my LBS are in cahoots with turning it into a winter bike/rain bike/won't ride my Saluki through that **** bike. It will probably see most of its use in the winter.

How did your Snidely bars fare on your winter bikes? I ask, because I'm wondering if moustache bars give you more control in the snow ... and wondering the survivability of barcons on the end of wide bars.

I must say that I have never even seen a bike with bars like that, let alone ride one.

How did your Snidely bars fare on your winter bikes? I ask, because I'm wondering if moustache bars give you more control in the snow ... and wondering the survivability of barcons on the end of wide bars.

Uh, I live in middle Georgia. What's snow? :p I would think they would help. I rode the Trek offroad a few times and they handled much the same as flat bars in the forward position where the brake levers are. The outer position gives you a lot of leverage.

I've never had a problem with the bar end shifters on the moustache bars (or any other bars for that matter).

Uh, I live in middle Deorgia. What's snow? :p I would think they would help. I rode the Trek offroad a few times and they handled much the same as flat bars in the forward position where the brake levers are. The outer position gives you a lot of leverage.

I've never had a problem with the bar end shifters on the moustache bars (or any other bars for that matter).

Ditto, thanks BluesDawg.
PS: Want to trade houses and weather, from January to February? It's currently 36F, but it should start getting purty cool any day now.

Rivendell Bikes are one of the biggest fans of the moustache bar. They recommend them on some of their bikes, like the Atlantis.

I've briefly ridden on a couple of bikes with them. I liked them better than drop bars (which is the style of handlebar that I dislike the most) but didn't love them.

They do have a lot of fans. There are web pages touting their benefits.

http://www.stanford.edu/~dru/moustache.html
http://bessasandackerman.com/blog/?p=46

Good stuff, Tom. Thanks for researching.