Touring - Switching to a nashbar trekking bar, need some help.

I'm going to install these (Nashbar trekking bar) (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=9756) on my wife's, and my own bike. We both have 22.2mm diameter bars.
Would our current shifter/brake sets work on this bar?

Also, for our safety, I'd like to use in-line levers on the furthest position, would these (Nasbar In-line brake levers) (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=10888) fit on the trekking bar, would I need shims? We both have V brakes, if that makes a difference for the in-lines.

What are your current shifter/brake sets? Trekking bars like generic mountain bike handlebars will only fit/take mountain bike components.

I'd hold off on those in line brake levers. Clamping diameters are 'not ideal' though may work on the trekking bar. The main reason is that in line brake levers, some say cyclocross brake levers, serve as a second pair, exclusively on drop bars with road bike brake levers.

My bike (trek 7.3fx) has ST-EF50 (acera?) shifter/lever combo. 22.2mm
My wife's (schwinn SX-2000) has I believe, bottom of the barrel SRAM grip shifters, The only labelling they have says Grip Shift 3.0. They look nothing like what came up on google for SRAM's products though. Her levers are Radius. 22.2mm also

Is there any options on getting a second brake lever? I'm probably going to only do an extra front brake on both bikes.

Both are mountain bike components, not meant for drop bars, which will make this whole swap cheaper thankfully.

I use the exact same bike for touring as you, and have the trekking bars on it. Your current components will fit just fine. I'm not sure where you would put the inline brake lever. The main brake lever will not make the bend, and thus can only be mounted on the straight section of the bar. I know, because I tried fairly hard to be able to mount it on the sides of the handlebar. Thus, I'm not sure where else you would mount this bar. Something to think about when mounting that bar; I found putting a 30mm longer stem on to be the best fit for me. Keeping the current stem made the cockpit way too short.

Yea, I was planning on having the stock equip on the flat bar, and putting the in-lines near the front of the bars for when we're leaning forward. I'm putting Ergon GP1's on the flat bar section, hopefully they'll fit.

It's possible that with the clamp being less wide on the in lines that you will be able to get them past the bend in the bars. As I said, with the wide clamp on the standard levers, I couldn't get them past the first bend. I think it was purely because of the width of the clamp. I'd be interested to know if the inlines work for you. It was something I considered. I have seen people with Ergons. Apparently they take a bit of persuasion, but will fit.

I recently installed trekking bars on my LHT. I'm having a heck of a time dialing them in for comfort. I currently have them set up with the straight bar ends toward me. I put a longer stem on to avoid that short cockpit! I'm still having hand issues though. Is there a right or wrong way to but these bars on? Or is it just what works best for me? LAB

I think open end nearest you is the most common, from what pictures I've seen. But in the end it's all what works for you. Try working with stem hight on top of the bar angle, an adjustable stem might help. I'm getting one of those and maybe a steerer tube extender if needed. This bike is already a fair bit to small for me.

Of course it can be different for different people, but I almost gave up on my Nashbar trekking bars; I just couldn't get comfortable with them. However, then I changed them to another bike, and combined with the right amount of rise and a long stem length, I love them now.

I put them on the way they are supposed to be installed, with the bar sides angled inward (like traditional bar ends), and the top bars angled down as you look at them from the front of the bike. Your mileage may vary of course, but I'd say persevere as I've found they are worth it. Having said that, I found the setup to be very sensitive, the most of any handlebars I've used.


I recently installed trekking bars on my LHT. I'm having a heck of a time dialing them in for comfort. I currently have them set up with the straight bar ends toward me. I put a longer stem on to avoid that short cockpit! I'm still having hand issues though. Is there a right or wrong way to but these bars on? Or is it just what works best for me? LAB

I'm really intriqued with the suggestion of mounting the brake levers on the side of the bars. I have a set of Avid brakes that I am able, with a little pushing and pulling, to move anywhere on my bars. I've had them at the top and bottom but never thought to try the side. Duh! That's where my hands are most of the time. I find for me it's more intuitive to move my hands away to brake rather than toward me. The brakes are currently at the bottom, but I'll try them on the side next. I really want these bars to work. I think I'm getting closer but they're not there yet. LAB

Well, good news is I was able to shim the nashbar in-line brake to fit snug on the bar. Bad news is, I've no idea how to route the brake lines. It's going to look like a ball of mess when I'm done from the looks of it.

Been on the setup a week. I decided against doing the brake lever on the forward bar, nearly did an endo on a test run, wouldn't come in too handy in an emergency.
Definitely recommend this bar/grip combo.
I may get a brake lever extender that would let them be used from the side positions though.
One down side on my wife's bike, grip shifts + ergon small GP1 (grip shift version) + brake lever won't fit.
I had to put a trigger shift on her bike.
The Large Egron GP1's only fit if using integrated brake/trigger shifters.

The reflective tape on the frame is poorly done, but my kids tried their best. :thumb:

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e186/MilitantPotato/bars1zz0.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e186/MilitantPotato/bars2ff3.jpg