treadtread

As I mentioned on this forum before, I recently went clipless. The pedals are Shimano M324 - the hybrid pedals - and the shoes are Shimano MT22. Like the clipless feeling - but this change seems to have made my bike smaller. I've pushed up the saddle quite a bit as compared to the earlier position, but it still feels a little small. I was wondering if bar ends would help - I need another hand position anyway on longer rides. Did anyone else feel the bike shrink after going clipless?

So now I'm asking for comments/opinions on a variety of options (since I really can't try them all):
1. Origin 8 drop bar ends:
https://www.amazon.com/Origin-Bicycle...I3V7U1YI90BP4C
Can perhaps mimic hoods here - but the drops would probably feel really, really weird - at least, thats what I think.

2. L shaped bar ends
https://www.amazon.com/Origin8-Pro-Pu...I3U77K1YJ6IZRN

3. Straight bar ends
https://www.amazon.com/ONZA-Alloy-Bic...I3AP4G7821J88P

4. Long curved bar ends
https://www.amazon.com/Profile-Design...=IR3DHWRAGTSPO

5. And on the higher end - Ergon GC3
https://www.amazon.com/Ergon-Bicycle-...ords=ergon+gp5

I can also consider changing the bar:
6. Origin 8 tour handlebar
https://www.amazon.com/Origin8-Advent...I3MBQUIMSCQFCW

7. Trekking bar
https://www.amazon.com/XLC-Multi-Func...I10FQ66GDG3TF6
Would probably need to mount this backwards, otherwise I think I'll be way too upright.

I know that these are a lot of options - but these pretty much cover all the options I could think of (within a reasonable price range). Looking to the BF collective experience for comments, pros and cons.
Personally I really like the look of the Origin 8 touring handlebar - not sure how well I'd be able to mount controls though - and I guess I'd need to use bar tape.

Thanks!

Edited to add:
Forgot to mention - I have a Specialized Sirrus with a flat bar.

fietsbob

I have Trekking bars on 2 bikes , and Ergon GR3 on my Brompton.

the trekking bar Is no higher than What your flat/low riser, bars were.

I have the angle Pretty flat so I can lay my open hands across the ends.
the brake levers Go on the Open back end.

in my case I slide a Grip Shifter on 1st, then the brake lever .
Cover the thing with 2 layers of the common Padded tape.

GR 5 is a longer Bar end, almost a trekking bar,
the broad Palm support grips are worth the expense.
as there is an integration, the transition from grip to bar end is 'seamless' ,
no Metal Clamp under a hand position.

GFish

I've gone through a similar transformation. After installing clipless pedals, raising the saddle allowed my legs to spin more freely, it just feels more natural. Getting the leg extension correct helps improve spinning and spinning at higher rpm's.

For flat bars, I think bar ends are essential. It helps to reduce static pressures by having more then one hand position. The curved drop bar end is an interesting idea, not sure I would go that route.

On my flat bar commuter, I use the curved bar end with a foam grip. This provides 2 more hand positions, and also helps reduce drag riding into the wind.

Mostly though, it's personal preference and often trial and error. Best of luck....

acidfast7

#7

Steely Dan

I've got a set of ergon GC3s on my hybrid. i love them dearly. i couldn't imagine a more comfortable grip, and the really long bar ends are great for extra hand positions.

PatrickGSR94

I don't know, I have platforms on my KHS and clipless on my Felt, both saddle-to- pedal spindle height set about the same, and they both feel pretty much the same to me. But having said that, I have bar ends like those long curved ones you linked, but inboard of my grips. They're nearly horizontal and the distance between them nearly simulates the hoods width of my Felt's drop bars.

WorldPax

I recently added some long L-shaped bar ends to my 29er commuter, but I mounted them in as close to the stem as the bar would allow. They're not aero-bars but they're close. So far I'm very pleased with them, gives me a few more hand positions and a more aero position on a very not aero bike.

edit: and Patrick beat me to the punch while I was typing. Mine are just like his, but maybe a bit closer in.

PatrickGSR94

yeah that was as far in as I could get them with the rise of my current bar. Can't put them inboard of brakes or shifters due to the shapes of those components - especially the gear position displays. I'm thinking of changing to true flat bars with no rise so I can move everything a little farther inboard.

Andy_K 

I've got #4, though they're currently in a drawer because most of my bikes have drop bars. If I were going to use a flat bar bike for my commute, I'd definitely use them. They're nice. Lizard Skins makes a bar end grip that fits them perfectly.

acidfast7

if you don't want to swap bars ...

take a look at the new Ergon GP5 BioKork

treadtread

From what I read, Ergon GC3 and GP5 are the same - and the cork is heavily rubberized so there is no difference other than looks between the regular GC3 and the biokork GP5. Besides, I suspect the brown cork wouldn't look too good on my bike anyway - it really needs a nice Brooks saddle to go with it

fietsbob

The Black and Grey Ergons are less $ and come in a greater variety.

GC3 have been relabeled GR5 in the recent product catalog
bar ends are interchangeable GR 2,3,4, shorter GR5 longer

terrapin44

I don't know the benefits of biokork, but I have the non-biokork version and I am quite pleased,

Leisesturm

Just saying: I've never seen a motorcycle with handlebar extensions.

genec

Ever see a motor cyclist "spinning" their legs? Could be why they don't need such rigid attachment to their bars... the power to the rear wheel for a MC is provided by other means.

WorldPax

Yeah, I swapped my riser for a flat.

fietsbob

what posture on that motor cycle ?, Cafe Racer clip-on bars, rear set pegs, IOM TT style
or A Chopper with Ape-hangers?,