Cyclocross Rules - Bars

[TopCat]

I've used a Cyclocross bike (Paul Milnes) as a commuter machine for a number of years (40 mile mixed surface round trips). It's been great, but I've noticed a number of shortcomings with the drop bar setup.

I never ride on the drops and normally ride 'on the hoods', but I'm not very happy with that position when I'm needing to hang on the brakes during steep downhill descents. So I've though about the various options:


Flat bars with V-brakes
Flat bars with Bar ends and V-brakes
Stoker bars and V-brakes


My ideal (not sure if it's possible) is stoker bars, v-brakes, single chainring, indexed thumbie and 8-speed. I've seen the Pauls components thumbie 'adapter' thing that would seem to allow an Ultegra bar-end shifter to be used as a thumbie...is this a sensible setup - has anyone done anything similar?

Thanks for any help.

[Phatman]

I've used a Cyclocross bike (Paul Milnes) as a commuter machine for a number of years (40 mile mixed surface round trips). It's been great, but I've noticed a number of shortcomings with the drop bar setup.

I never ride on the drops and normally ride 'on the hoods', but I'm not very happy with that position when I'm needing to hang on the brakes during steep downhill descents. So I've though about the various options:


Flat bars with V-brakes
Flat bars with Bar ends and V-brakes
Stoker bars and V-brakes


My ideal (not sure if it's possible) is stoker bars, v-brakes, single chainring, indexed thumbie and 8-speed. I've seen the Pauls components thumbie 'adapter' thing that would seem to allow an Ultegra bar-end shifter to be used as a thumbie...is this a sensible setup - has anyone done anything similar?

Thanks for any help.

nothing is allowed to protrude forward, so bullhorns wouldn't be allowed, and flat bars with bar ends aren't allowed. flat bars with v-brakes are, however.

[TopCat]

Thanks for the clarification Phatman. It looks as though I could swap bars (or bar ends) and still compete using the bike without too much grief. The forward pointing bits give extra hand holds for commuting.

As a matter of interest would cutting off the drops in front of STI/Ergo brake hoods also breach the rules?

[bac]

I never ride on the drops and normally ride 'on the hoods', but I'm not very happy with that position when I'm needing to hang on the brakes during steep downhill descents.

You may just want to snap on a pair of in-line brake levers for your tops. I have this set-up, and like it a lot:

http://www.bikegreenecounty.com/bac/LasBack.jpg

[BlastRadius]

Why is your bike so clean? :D

[oldskoolboarder]

You could run moustache bars.

[OneTinSloth]

that is a fantastic picture, bac.

[Phiber]

Where'd you get those pirate caps?

[TopCat]

Thanks for the suggestion regarding the crosslevers Bac! I'll check those out, they look neat and light. What is the large 'knob' on the top of your bars...looks like you've transplanted the shifter from a 1970's Raleigh Chopper? (only kidding) Nice bike!

[bac]

Where'd you get those pirate caps?

Hmmmm, I have the link @ home. If my memory serves me well, I'll shoot you the link later tonight. They have a variety of styles, but the skull works well for my machines!

[bac]

Thanks for the suggestion regarding the crosslevers Bac! I'll check those out, they look neat and light. What is the large 'knob' on the top of your bars...looks like you've transplanted the shifter from a 1970's Raleigh Chopper? (only kidding) Nice bike!

Yeah, I think you'll like the top mounted brake levers - I certainly do. The knob is actually a RAM mount for a camera. It does look a bit odd with nothing mounted though! :)

[oldskoolboarder]

Where'd you get those pirate caps?

http://www.barplugs4u.com/page/page/1027689.htm

[royalflash]

I recently changed my drop bars for a Syntace TT bar using the Paul Component thumbies. I really like them.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=79557&page=3&pp=25

You could do something similar with a flat bar.

The picture shows the bike not quite finished I have added some bar tape since.