Essthreetee

I just ordered a set for my bike...From the measurements, and the pictures, I have a pretty good idea that they will be pretty close to what I am hoping for.
But I just thought I'd ask if anyone (or how many) has them and what your impressions are...

whatwolf

A bunch of us have them and like them. Of course it's a matter of fit and personal preference, not necessarily the bars themselves. I like them on my go-fast bikes but for something I plan to ride all day or on unpaved surfaces I've come to prefer a flared bar like the Salsa Cowbell.

Essthreetee

DAMN....I wished I'd have known about the cowbell before. I really like my On One Midge bars, but thought I should go for something less flared. I was getting some shoulder pain after 40 miles, and thought it might be that...

The flare of the cowbell does not look as severe as the Midge...hmm...I guess I will put it in the to try list for later.

whatwolf

I don't know, bar width is the one thing that I am most unsure of when it comes to my fit. I've got everything else pretty much nailed down. But I know I really like the Salsa Cowbell a lot, narrow up top and flared below, but also flat on the tops unlike rando bars. The one thing about them is that they only make them in 31.8. And I've heard rumors about their discontinuation...

Soma Hwy 1





Salsa Cowbell

Essthreetee

Well, by the looks of the cowbell...yeah. I will probably be finding one in the future.

Maybe I didn't see the Salsa because I was trying to stay with 25.4 or 26, so at least for now...the hwy one hopefully will work. Worst case, I hate them and move on.

They should be in and on this week...so, here's to hoping they work out for me.

gomango

I use Highway 1s on my Tommasini Super Prestige and Cowbell 2s on my Merckx cross bike.

I've ridden the Tommasini quite a bit and like them with Ergos.

Jury is out on the Merckx, but I have ridden them a fair amount on my friend's Sachs cross bike.

Not much to say other than they feel great with DA stis.

acoffin 

I've got the Hwy One on my RB1 with TRP RRL brake levers and I love the setup. The TRP levers have extended hoods like found on most integrated shift/brake levers. It's a great benefit on these bars as the ramps are very short. I like all positions on the hwy ones, but find the hooks in particular super comfy.

cooperryder

I have them on my Nishiki Pro & have been pleased so far after around 200 miles since installing them.

Essthreetee

They came in yesterday. Got them home, and mounted. I think I'm gonna really like them.

Decided to out them on my Torpado, along with a dirt drop stem, and some Tektro aero levers...on a quick ride around the block, I think I have finally gotten this bike comfortable. (But only time and miles will tell...)

gomango

Typically I like longer ramps, such as the ones on Nitto Noodles.

I took a chance using them on my Tommasini and they work well for me.

I think it's one of those situations where you just have to try them instead of taking everyone's word on the web.

Hope they work for you.

Essthreetee

So I just got back from 25 miles with them on my Torpado. Ding, ding, ding...WINNER!!! They are just right..width, reach, drop, etc. finally made it comfy...and I forgot how fast it feels!!!

gomango

Yes, they work great for some.

Not so great for others.

That's good news though, so enjoy.

Bad Lag

I went to the SOMAFAB web site and looked over their offerings. I cannot figure out how one would ever decide which model to purchase. Each one is fairly expensive and they vary quite a lot from model to model. You could easily spend $300 trying the different shape variations.

This is an item where hands-on retail would make a lot of sense. Have a display containing several models and let people touch them, hold them, maybe even ride them (static trainer with quick-change bars).

That's all a bunch of baloney, though. Which small shop owner would fork over the funds and space for a handle bar display? Hmmm,... REI, maybe. Hmm,...???

poke em

Your Nishiki looks super nice. What rims are those? Can you post a couple more pics?

Essthreetee

The he way I did it was to find the dimensions (width, drop, reach) of what I had and figured what I thought I would want. I then looked at pictures of them on line...they were only $40 so I figured...why not?

We have a store in a close town that does do that...but the bars they carry are ... Wel...Not inexpensive.

AlTheKiller

lots of shops have handlebar displays. even my tiny little shop does. granted, they are mtb bars. but that is most of the business we get.

for awhile we had a display with a couple nice soma bars, pedals, toe cages, etc. but in my town that stuff does not move at all. the only people riding old road bikes is because they need, or can only afford, beaters.

anyone actually spending money on parts that aren't absolutely necessary have silly new bikes that cost too much.

cooperryder

Thank you.
Those wheels have Campy Omega 19 rims & Dura Ace hubs.
I think I have posted pics over on the Nishiki thread. I will check.

Since this thread is about the handlebars I shouldn't post here.

Found the link with a complete pic of bike:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post16050227

lostarchitect 

Regarding bar width, this may help. I worked out this formula a while back and it works for me.

1. Width of shoulders - Width of chest = X
2. Width of chest + (X/2) = Correct bar width.
(if you measured in inches, multiply your answer by 2.54 to get centimeters)


This formula works for me. Round to the nearest size.
(This doesn't really work for flared bars, like rando bars, etc)

GrayJay

When I was outfitting a CX bike last year with a 26.0mm stem, the soma hiway one was one of the very few options I fould available for a 26.0 aluminum shallow drop classical looking bar without ergonomic flats or flair-out. Most new bars are only availble now in 31.8mm diameter, not many new choices left for 26.0.
Ordering direct from the soma website, shipping charges for the bar were rediculously high. I would highly suggest buying through a local dealer or a website resaler that offers better shipping terms.

echo victor 

I would consider getting a recommendation from a fitter or a knowledgeable LBS that carries the kinds of bar you might be interested in. I took a bike of mine for a fitting to a guy whose shop has both new and vintage stuff, and he very quickly made the point that 'the biggest advances since your vintage bike have been in the cockpit - try a different bar and aero levers.' The one he recommended was the Civia Emerson - virtually identical to the Soma Hwy 1 from what I read, and wider, shallower, and shorter reach than my current bar. I'll be installing it soon to start testing out.

The other nice thing in this case is that he said if this bar doesn't work out, I should just bring it back and we'll keep experimenting until we find one that does - with the only additional cost being if I eventually settle on a more expensive bar. I'm sure there are other local shops that would have the same perspective.

tarwheel 

I've got Soma Highway One bars on three bikes, so obviously I must like them. They are a great option if you are seeking a bar with less reach and drop. The Civia Emerson bar is very similar if you have trouble finding the Soma Hwy 1s.

Camilo

The Soma Highway one are excellent bars and I bought a pair because they had the criteria I was looking for

shallow drop
short reach
26.0 bar clamp (I think they might have OS too?)
silver color (I think they come in black too?)
flat ramps for a smooth transition to my Cane Creek SCR 5 brake levers

For what it's worth, they're nice looking and good quality.

If you're looking for a nearly identical alternative (I think the drops are a little longer, maybe a cm) look at the Civia Emerson - I have a set of these and they fit the exact same criteria, or very close.

[edit] just noticed Tarwheel posted the same thing about the Civia Emerson!

DIMcyclist

I have a Civia Emerson on my Torelli:



It came down to a choice between these, the Soma Hwy 1s, and the FSA Omega, and I settled on these for the slightly shorter drop.

I put them on last July (when I built the bike) they've been great so far. I've since mounted another one on my RB-2.

As far as criteria went, I was looking for a bar that matched the general profile of my Nitto M186s, albeit with an anatomic bend, mostly just to see if it was more comfortable than the ergo.