Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Bull Horns or Base Bar Search

I acquired a Bianchi Pista used last year and been using it on and off for my commute. It came standard with drop bars which I eventually replaced with Origin 8 Bull Horns. Fixated on wanting this position, I just took whatever they had on stock.

After riding this for a while, it just seems to be really wide and too long. They are 42" wide, and my one shop was saying that was appropriate for my shoulder size. I am always worried about getting caught on something during the ride.

I thought about maybe cutting the bend out and shortening the length of the handles for now. I also was looking at Ben's Cycles online and found a whole list of Nitto handlebars that seem to be more what I imagined in my head.

I think I want something narrow, but not sure how the ride quality will be at 38" and 36" for me. I also see that it is noted that end brake aero levers will not fit on some of these bars.

Any other suggestions? I was thinking maybe a flat base bar, but not sure how much I will like that as well.

The nice thing about trying out a narrower hand position is you don't need a new bar to do it. Measure 36-38" on your bar, put your hands there, and go for a ride to see if you like it.

Also if you're considering cutting your bars, you can always stick bar-ends on after you cut to get the horns back.

Thanks for the tips.

Centimeters, guys, not inches. Your bars are not three feet wide.

Just ride with a 110 stem, no bars. Put your brake lever on your seatpost and you'll be able to barspin until the cows come home; bonus - your fear of getting caught up on obstacles that will easily be clipped by your pedals if you're "that close" for comfort will now be alleviated....until you clip your pedal on that same obstacle. I betcha can cut and fashion a grip on the stem too, but that might be too chinz - go with some bartape or be badass and do it bareback.

Centimeters, guys, not inches. Your bars are not three feet wide.
oops this

I originally went with 40cm Nitto 021's because I was trying to match width of my shoulders to the bar size, but I've opted for 38cm Nitto 002's. I like my hands being closer than shoulder width.

Centimeters, guys, not inches. Your bars are not three feet wide.
How do you know he didn't mean inches?

http://www.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/wide_mtb_bars.jpg

Don't hate just because you're jealous.

Solution: http://chamoisnews.com/?p=41

No ****ing way !!! Might as well just hold on to the stem and forget the handlebar... oh wait, he is :)

I wouldn't doubt someone has been dumb enough to cut down their bars that small, but the site is just all for laughs and all made up.

Thanks for the jokes.

I am thinking of going with a 36 or a 38. So many options out there and not too kany local shops that actually carry anything withoutbhaving toborder.