vitaly66

Slowly getting my time-capsule 1982 Trek 730 up to speed: lubed, new tubes/tires...



And Nitto RM-016 bar on Nitto FU-82 stem...

vitaly66

I'll admit -- and I am sure most of you here will agree -- the aesthetics of this Moustache/Periscopa combo are quite a ways toward the dorky end of the spectrum. So, not exactly the elegant C&V result I may have been hoping for.

But I think I am going to like these bars anyway. The feel is good and comfortable, with responsive and solid control, and especially nice when needing to pedal while standing up out of the saddle.



The color of the bar tape here (Newbaum maroon) is not (yet) a good match for the frame. We will see if it mellows well after the shellac.

jjhabbs 

Wow. That bicycle is on my want list...Its very beautiful!

lostarchitect 

I think it looks cool with those bars. Personally I'd switch to bar end shifters, but otherwise I really like it.

vitaly66

Thank you, gentlemen!

Yes, bar end shifters would be excellent at some point. I am also (gasp horrors) considering the possibility of stem mounted shifters. Terribly incorrect, but all that bare naked stem seems to be just begging for some useful purpose.

For the time being, I am fine with the downtube shifters. Meanwhile, higher on my niggle list is to get brakes mounted with recessed nuts. And the old 7-speed Shimano hyper-glide casette feels like it is made out of solid lead. I think SRAM may make some lighter alternatives....

spacemanz

Looks kinda weird, because we're not used to seeing mustache bars, but I love them. They let you get "pretty" aero, if you want to, but you can also sit up pretty straight & relax, if you want to. And surprisingly, they give me better control off road, than even flat bars, because my hands & wrists are at a much more natural (& thus comfortable) angle, to absorb shocks & bumps. But from what I hear, folks either love them or hate them. The only way to know, is try it & see. BTW, I also think you need stem shifters. I use them.

zukahn1 

Cool bike I like the bars. I'm also with the idea of more upright shifters with moustache bars some barends would be nice, but I don't think some nicer stem shifters would look all that out of oplace with this setup a little dorky but a nice functional setup. As for the freewheel I agree that the first generation Hyper glide cassettes can be a bit heavy. But there are a lot of fairly low cost options for new 7 speed Shimano type cassettes most of which will be significantly lighter and smoother riding, exspecially if you spring for a new chain also which I would highly recomend on new cossette.

vitaly66

Yes this is it exactly, they are unfamiliar, quite different from the drop-bar archetype. The degree to which they change the appearance of the bike is quite suprising, I was unprepared for it.

In use these bars do deliver a great balance of comfort and control, at least that is my impression on the casual rides so far. The real test will come with some longer outings.

As everyone here already knows, changing handlebars is not trivial. I've been wanting to try some moustache bars for a while now, so I took the chance with my Trek. I think the result is that the moustache will be growing on me.

More curvy bar porn...

zukahn1 

I would agree despite the look which I think is cool but deferent moustache bars are a great a very bold choice. I for one like the way they give multiple more upright riding positions for more casual riding which can be great for controll on rough surfaces and dirt. I have found them very comfortable for slower paced long rides on the bikes I have riden with them.

inkandsilver

A little bit dorky, yes, but mostly awesome.

mapleleafs-13 

Does this have something to do with Mo'vember?!

Bradless

I want that bicycle frame... Great looking bike, iffy on the bars but if I used them and liked them, I'd probably like the bicycles look even more!

Velognome 

Interesting set up with the bars set higher than the saddle. I'd think you'd want a wider saddle? My thinking is with the bars up like that you're weight is mostly on your but and that's a narrow saddle. I'd want something like a B17 of a Flyer.

I set mine up with a Swift saddle ( a little more meat that your Swallow) but with a slight drop to the bars. This gives a rather aggressive ride posture and what is almost an equal distribution of weight between the hands and the but.

Either way, you're heading in the right direction I think, pretty bike, looks fun to ride. Just don't be too timid to dial it in with bar height and reach adjustments.

vitaly66

The Trek has been logging some fine autumn rides...


a happy trek by incidence*, on Flickr


wheatland ferry by incidence*, on Flickr

The moustache bars are working out nicely for rides up to 40 miles or so, while the bike itself is sporty and well-balanced.

All in all, a lot of fun!

neo_pop_71

Cool build, not the norm and still classy eye candy! I don't think any of my bikes would into what most people consider vintage normal, I support all your ideas except stem shifters. I just can't see a bike that nice having stem shifters, anything else would be fine. I road thousands of miles with moustache bars on a couple of my bikes. Eventually I wanted something that was a bit sportier and I didn't want to lose the varied hand positions... SOMA Sparrow bars and a Nitto Dirt Drop bar were the answer!

vitaly66

Thanks neo_pop! And don't worry, I've abandoned the stem shifter idea. I'm actually quite happy with the downtube shifters.

I'm currently riding a set of On-One "Midge" bars on my long distance bike, and like those alot, too, so I agree with your ideas completely.

bikemig 

I like the bike. Is that a nitto dirt drop stem? It looks pretty tall.

Vonruden

Looks awesome! I love Nitto bars, they are just right for me.

vitaly66

Nitto "Periscopa" (model FU-82), got it from Ben's Cycle. I thought it looked elegant. Very similar in rise and reach to the dirt drop. The dirt drop would look more "manly".

Sedgemop 

Same here.

cyclotoine

Love it. I am a big fan of the moustache.

neo_pop_71

Right on! Glad you let go of that idea, nothing screamed __________ (Sear's, Mont. Wards, JCP, etc.) in house brand 10 speed more than the stem shifter, more the plastic cable housing clips in place of braze ons and cable guides.

I'm a huge fan of the Midge bar, I've used that bar set up on three builds this year. It's hard to beat $30 with free (U.S.) shipping! The jury here is out on 'em, some swear by 'em and others hate 'em... that's worked out since I've bought a couple spares for $10 of Craigslist.

The big difference though, your bike retained the C&V elegance, my builds tend to obliterate the C&V thing in the name of function, comfort, or because I thought "stock" was ugly. I'm more on the fringe of C&V but that's because I have no home in modern bicycles. My recent build, the Cimarron with the Sparrow bars, I did make a strong push to retain the classy look. The NOS waterslide decals, "Deerhead" XT components, and Superb Pro hubs along with the skinwall Ritchey tires helped but the Bullmoose that I originally went with wasn't cutting, so the Soma and brifters won in the end. I can say that all the beautiful vintage bikes did inspire me to go C&V with the project but I don't feel bad about the finished bike since I love it and it does grab praise from time to time.

Thanks for sharing your great bike!

3speedslow

How about a nice brass bell for that awesome bike ! Just slap it right on the stem, problem solved.

noglider 

I like this. I've tried mustache bars and didn't get the hang of them. I'm open to trying them again. I still have a pair. I really ought to ride mustache handlebars with my handlebar mustache.

Stem shifters are looked down upon, but they're actually pretty good. I've used them and liked them.

The Golden Boy 

Right now I'm trying to like bar ends on my High Sierra, I just seem to prefer downtube shifters to the bar ends (and Command Shifters to most anything else). If I don't develop an affinity for them, I might just go with stem shifters on there.

I really didn't have much of any "winter project" stuff lined up- but seeing that 730 and scoring a set of Retrofrictions... I'm now thinking about redoing my 736. I'm thinking Superbe Pro with Retrofrictions... hmm...