Fifty Plus (50+) - Albatross handlebar on Road Bike...

A shout out to those that have abandoned their denial about riding in an aero position and have converted to a more upright swept back Albatross handlebar a la Grant Petersen. A swept back bar similar to an old 3 speed "English racer" is of course more friendly to an aging back and neck. I am considering forgoing some speed of my drop bar in favor of a friendlier riding position. Since my bike is Campy equipped I will likely mount Campy Flat bar 10s shifters on the Albatross bar near the handle ends in tradional fashion. I am leaning toward wrapping the entire bar in conventional drop bar tape to support multiple hand postions including hands in the forward bends which will approximate a torso angle of hands on hoods while using a drop bar.

I have tried countless drop bar positions and still have neck pain on longer rides which I typically participate in...so time for a change. I may opt for inverting the Albatross bar to end up someplace between the aggressiveness of a drop bar and the position of a cruiser which may catch a bit too much air.

I would love to hear from other older rides that have gone to the dark side...aka Rivendell school because their neck and or back can no longer support even an upright positioned drop bar. Thanks.

I rode with the Albatross handlebar on my 1x9 CrossCheck, it was set up primarily as a commuting and winter bike. Shifter was a bar end, brake levers were Shimano something or other. Took a lot of adjustment to get it settled in comfortably, the handlebar level with seat, changed stem lengths
and angles a couple times. Also ended up with the ends of the handlebar pointed up, probably about 2-3 cm above seat-handlebar line; adjusted so when I outstretched my arms, my hands nicely fit into the grip area. Had hand grips, then wrapped the curved part with cork tape. It was a great
set up; comfortable to sit upright and look around, plus able to get some aero with the curves. I rode it both in just about every condition possible, short commutes to multi day tours. At the end of the summer, re-worked my CrossCheck for my teenage son to ride- he wanted a regular drop bar.
Liked the Albatross set up a lot.

If I had a road bike, I'd probably put Albatross bars on it. I like them a bit better than the moustache bars, as they have a little less sweep and the forward hand positions are not as far forward.

I still like the variety of hand positions afforded by good old drop bars. Try a shorter-reach, taller stem.

I bought my Nitto Randonneur and Nitto Noodle drop bars from Rivendell. :p

I like the position of an Albatross bar (or better yet, North Road) for some kinds of riding. But for the longer and/or faster rides, give me my drops.

Different setups for different kinds of riding and for different riders' specific circumstances. That is what GP promotes.

Many schools. Drops get the nod for versatility and speed to be sure. But...one can not ever set up drops to ride as upright as a swept back bar no matter how short a reach and high rise a stem used with drops and how short a reach a drop bar. In effect, an Albatross bar offers "some" of the versatility...of a drop bar but overall more upright. That of course costs speed not only in terms of being aero but pulling up on the bar and leverage in the drops. If your neck hurts however one has to ask if the extra speed of a drop bar is worth it. Yeah...we all want to be fast and it is hard to give up that speed. The benefit of an Albatross bar is one can still achieve some speed in the front curve of the bar which is close in position to what would be obtained on the hoods of a drop bar. The real benefit is the opportunity to ride in the swept back position near bar ends when speed isn't the nth priority..say cruising at 15mph. I have decent speed for an older rider and have to admit being passed albeit rarely by a stronger rider on a flat bar bike. :)
I think I will give it a try. I have tried drop bars up high and back and can't quite achieve the position I need to take pressure off my neck. I don't need nor want bolt upright for neck relief...more like a back angle approximating the angle of my rear seat stays...a slight lean into the wind. The hook section of a drop bar is a temptation for me :p which generally ends up being painful after a mad dash. Without hooks I won't be baited into this position...at least that is the idea.

If I had a road bike, I'd probably put Albatross bars on it. I like them a bit better than the moustache bars, as they have a little less sweep and the forward hand positions are not as far forward.
Exactly Tom. Many have to go with a shorter stem on the moustache bar and a bit longer stem on an Albatross bar compared to how they would ride with a drop bar because the curves of a moustache bar are more pronounced as you mention...and a moustache bar doesn't have the sweep back of a North or Albatross bar. The reason why the old 3 speed English racers of the 60's were so tremendously popular was the riding position coupled with the narrow tires and light-ish weight. A 10 speed rear cassette carbon fiber road bike with a North road or Albatross bar is kind of like an English racer on steroids. Should be a fun ride for slower road riding and paved bike path riding.
If one can get over the nth speed thing, the workout is the same...maybe more ;) only you end up seeing more of the countryside.

I rode with the Albatross handlebar on my 1x9 CrossCheck, it was set up primarily as a commuting and winter bike. Shifter was a bar end, brake levers were Shimano something or other. Took a lot of adjustment to get it settled in comfortably, the handlebar level with seat, changed stem lengths
and angles a couple times. Also ended up with the ends of the handlebar pointed up, probably about 2-3 cm above seat-handlebar line; adjusted so when I outstretched my arms, my hands nicely fit into the grip area. Had hand grips, then wrapped the curved part with cork tape. It was a great
set up; comfortable to sit upright and look around, plus able to get some aero with the curves. I rode it both in just about every condition possible, short commutes to multi day tours. At the end of the summer, re-worked my CrossCheck for my teenage son to ride- he wanted a regular drop bar.
Liked the Albatross set up a lot.
I too an an inverate tinker-er so will likely go through a few stems as well. I may end up inverting the A bar to achieve the position I want on the bar ends....will see. Many of us grew up riding bikes with a North road bar on a bike or two and didn't go immediately to a drop bar. I love a drop bar for speed and versatility and can still ride one albeit with some discomfort. There is an analogy to riding a an upright handlebar versus a low bar in the motorcycle world...a crotch rocket versus a cruiser or standard. There is a reason why young guys gravitate to crotch rockets and older rides to standards and cruisers.

There is an analogy to riding a an upright handlebar versus a low bar in the motorcycle world...a crotch rocket versus a cruiser or standard. There is a reason why some people gravitate to crotch rockets and other people to standards and cruisers.
Fixed it for you.
It has at least as much to do with personality as it does with age.

Fixed it for you.
It has at least as much to do with personality as it does with age.
More like you sullied the thread. You didn't "fix" anything. It does NOT have as least as much to do with personality as with age. Age begets personality or tendencies. Young kids dare one another to jump off the garage as kids and the very same kids one day become 50 year old men and no longer jump off a garage. Personality is forged from a young age. The overwhelming demographic in the motorcycle world is young kids gravititate to crotch rockets with laid over riding position and old men gravitate to slower body rotated rearward cruisers. Age and not personality is the discriminator for selection. Yes there are exceptions of 60 year olds riding crotch rockets and a few 20 somethings on cruisers but they are the exception and not the rule. The reason is simple...testosterone and spine flexibility...throw in some arthritis as well. :twitchy:
Young guns can ride a road bike or crotch rocket and don't think much of it. Their arthritic joints don't hurt and they can't ride either fast enough. I am a racer....both bicycles and motorcycles. A more upright bicycle is better for me today...and a more standard motorcycle because my body is no longer what it was even 10 years ago. I am very fit and still relatively fast...but that is the reality and the demographics of who buys what is what it is.

chill. Have it your way.