Cyclocross - Midge bar alternative...

Is there an alternative to the on-one Midge bars? I want to try them but can't spend the money right now. Is there a cheaper dirt drop around that mimics the midge bars?

the origin 8 gary bar is about half the price. i have no idea how well it works though.

Awesome comparison (http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2007/03/origin-8-gary-bar-update.html)

I just got my Iro Rob Roy setup with these bars. I like them a lot, and they handle superbly on singletrack.

^^You mean the origin gary 8?

So I'm reading reviews on these that say they are very close to moustache-bars? Any truth to this? Are brake levers horizontal?

No, they're not like moustache. They're like midge's. They have a drop- moustache have no drop.

^^You mean the origin gary 8?

So I'm reading reviews on these that say they are very close to moustache-bars? Any truth to this? Are brake levers horizontal?

Yes, the Origin 8 Gary bars. They are closer to the Midge bars from On-One. Here's what they look like on my bike.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v178/nismo96/Iro/image002sm.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v178/nismo96/Iro/image004sm.jpg

Could the photo have been any blurrier?
like it matters. it reflects the differences in shape well enough, doesn't it?

p.s. your track bike fails. 56:13? give me a break. or, maybe give you a brake? har har.

Yes, the Origin 8 Gary bars. They are closer to the Midge bars from On-One. Here's what they look like on my bike.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v178/nismo96/Iro/image002sm.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v178/nismo96/Iro/image004sm.jpg

Nice bike. Thank you for the photo.

Here are the Garys on a bar bike of mine...

Of course mines a ten speed so I'll have to have tiagra I suppose in order to shift. I'm really torn between the Midge and the Nitto Randonneur bars. Wish there was something in between.

I'd go with the Nitto Randonneurs or some Salsa bars if I had STI on this bike. In fact, I've been seriously considering the Salsas for my geared bike.

I'd go with the Nitto Randonneurs or some Salsa bars if I had STI on this bike. In fact, I've been seriously considering the Salsas for my geared bike.
Yeah but I hate drops, especially my enormous road drops. The midge would be an alternative to straight bars. I just can't make up my mind. I'll give the midge's a shot.

I guess my issue is that I feel that it'd be hard to shift with STI levers with Midge/Gary bars.

The Salsa bars are a little closer to normal. I'll need a new stem if I change to these bars though, the Eastons that came on my bike are 31.8 I think.

Salsa Cycles (http://www.salsacycles.com/handlebars_road.html)
http://www.salsacycles.com/images/zoom_bellLapMoto.jpg

Thanks for the suggestion. I wish I could try out a setup. I once saw a guy with Tiagra on his moustache bars. Of course he wasn't a racer. But he shifted by pushing down(ish) on the levers. Might work.

My problem is that I hate transitioning to new hand positions on the bars. It seems that on a cx bike, you are on the hoods for 90% of the time, unless you need to climb or descend, then you go for the drops.

I like the idea of finding a shallow enough and wide enough bar to stay in the drops 90% of hte time, and get on the hoods when you are done with your serious riding.

I like the idea of finding a shallow enough and wide enough bar to stay in the drops 90% of hte time, and get on the hoods when you are done with your serious riding.
have you considered a more "traditional" road bar that's shallow?
http://road.fullspeedahead.com/imagefly.aspx?w=326&h=326&p=productimages%252fHB_OmegaSD_B.jpghttp://road.fullspeedahead.com/imagefly.aspx?w=326&h=326&p=productimages%2fHB_OmegaSD_A.jpg
i just got some fsa compact omega bars for my wife's motobecane. they have 125mm drop and 80mm reach, with a slight flare in the drops. she loves them! they fit her waaaay better than the crappy super long reach bars it came with stock. i got them from universal cycles for 36 dollars. the image on their site isn't correct though.

Yes, the Origin 8 Gary bars. They are closer to the Midge bars from On-One. Here's what they look like on my bike.

Does anyone know if they work with barcons?

I've got Midge bars on both my Fixed and Geared CrossChecks.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2296/2474279904_5872c42f73.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2209/2506223269_87a8c9335f.jpg?v=0

I'd like to get a new fork for the Fixed, jack the bars up even higher

Don't write off Salsa Bell Laps until you've tried 'em. I have them on my Cyclocross bike, and I stay in the drops for 90% of the time off-road. Granted, I don't race, just use the bike as my 'go anywhere do anything' but I ride singletrack and through a regulation cyclocross course in the park nearby whenever I can.

I've got Midge bars on both my Fixed and Geared CrossChecks.Those are two sweet rides.

But you knew that.

Price Point has the Midge on sale right now so it's a good time to pick it up if you normally can't afford it.

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/14502-195_ONOMD5-3-Parts-398-Handlebars/Road/On-One-Midge-Handle-Bar.htm

Does anyone know if they work with barcons?

I've got Midge bars on both my Fixed and Geared CrossChecks.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2209/2506223269_87a8c9335f.jpg?v=0

I'd like to get a new fork for the Fixed, jack the bars up even higher

Nice bars, did you angle the barcons in or is that the only way the can go?

Tim

The WTB Mountain drop bar is very similar to the Midge bars:

http://www.bikemannetwork.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/product_images/HB/HB1518.jpg

yeah, the garys are quite different than the midges--and not in a better way, in my opinion.

On the other hand, the WTB mountain road drops are almost exactly the same, with a slightly deeper drop and a longer drop section behind the bend (the "ergo" section). I've seen them all, and have ridden midges and WTB extensively. I quite like the WTBs, and I think they are actually an improvement over the midges. They are not significantly cheaper than midges, unfortunately.

I appreciate all the feedback. I decided to take the high road and keep trying to learn to love a more traditional drop, since I'm just getting into the sport and trying to be serious about the fundamentals. I figure if I can learn to be comfortable in both positions I will branch out from there.

So I bought a Nitto Randonneur, thinking it would be drastically different from my Easton EA70 or whatever the hell they are (unlabeled stock easton bars on my Kona Jake). Man was I disappointed. They were exactly the same with a little tiny bit of flare. I looked at a bunch of pictures online, and it is surprising how some photographs make that small flare seem so large.

So I returned them and out of desperation bought the smallest pair of tiny compact drops that are on the market. They are Bontrager Fit VS and are actually marketed to women- so I'll send out a pre-emptive "**** you" to anyone that would like to give me a hard time about that.

I figure it's a good starting place, although I'm still missing my mtb. I get them in the mail today.