Yen

We just returned from a ride to Balboa Island (Newport Beach, CA) with our bike group, and it was beginning to rain so I got a quick pic. This was my first ride with the new bars, and I like them A LOT. The brifters are easy and comfortable to reach from a very natural hand position on the sides or the corners. This is SO much more comfortable for my left wrist. (The greater leverage while squeezing the brake levers requires a gentle touch so I don't squeeze them too much and go flying over the bars.)

In addition, I can wrap my fingers around the front ends as if the hoods were there..... so, while I can't squeeze the levers well from there, I didn't lose that position after all.

They're everything I knew they'd be.

PS - The red detailing on the frame doesn't show in the picture, but it's the inspiration behind the new bar tape.

dguest

Great looking bike Glad you enjoy the new bars.

BengeBoy 

Bullhorn bars. Carbon fiber frame. Racing seat. Clipless pedals.....pretty hot bike!

Rowan

Phew! I am glad it seems to have worked out really well for you, based on first-ride experience. The bartape looks great with the black.

What comments were elicited from the group on the new set-up?

Yen

Thank you.

BengeBoy: That racing seat is the stock saddle and I intended to change it after a few rides based on looks alone. I'm surprised it isn't nearly as uncomfortable as it looks to me.

Rowan: If anyone noticed, no one commented.

cranky old dude

A very sweet bike, I'm glad it all came together for you.

The "Anti-White" look is a no-nonsense, agressive look, to me.

Happy Trails

Yen

Are you saying that the "White" [bike] look is nonsense and passive? (apologies to DG)

maddmaxx 

Verrrrry interesting...:

Yen

BTW, the LBS owner said mine is the second bike they've converted like this within the past week or so. I guess I'm not the only drop-bar-rebel out there.

taxi777

I have them on my Specialized Langster...They're great! I ended up putting them on my old centurion rebuild SS too...they rule! My hands tend numb on regular bars

Yen

I see that yours are turned in the other direction. Is that your personal preference?

Bikes are so personal. Unlike other vehicles (except maybe the old VW Beetle) they can be customized into any color or configuration to suit the rider.

taxi777

Seemed easier for me...I have pretty bad Carpel tunnel, so anything that eases the strain. I think the leverage is better, plus it looks evil on the black, white and pink bike. I put aero bars on the taxibike, they problably look silly, but they're so comfortable and ease the pressure on my hands.
Pete

Beverly

They look great, Yen. I love the red tape

Glad they're working for you.

roadfix

Very nice set up Jen!

Digital Gee

Ahem!

PS: Looks good, Yen!

cyclezen

solid

looks right proper

TruF 

Looks hot, Yen! Love the pink bento box.

Rowan

I think one of the things men riders with larger hands forget is that the standard STI/Ergo levers really are not suited to use by small hands on drop bars.

Shimano makes a variety of the Ultegra that has spacer inserts that go into the levers under the cap to lessen the distance the lever sits away from the bar. But these, I understand, are rare and difficult to find, and other issues come into play, such as ensuring the brakes are always properly adjusted.

Even riding on the drops doesn't present a solution to this problem. I know that on very long "technical" descents, my hands get quite sore from pulling on the levers whether via the hoods or the drops. I am finding the soreness less so with the FG and bullhorn set-up.

The only negative issue, if it is one, is that if you have barend shifters on the ends of bullhorns, placing a mirror that normally would go into the end of the tube might be problematic. Of course, with a FG and Yen's set-up, a mirror is easily fitted and would be in probably the best possible position in terms of eye movement away from what's ahead, compared with a mirror on the end of a dropbar.

George

That looks great Yen and it looks like it will do the job.

BluesDawg

Yen, if it makes the bike work better for you and makes you enjoy riding it more, then it's a good thing.

The Weak Link

Makes sense to me. I never use the drops, so I might give it a try. And I think it's sexy.

Yen

Thanks everyone.

I am willing to bet there are some out there who think I didn't give the drop bars enough of a try.... or didn't lean in or down more, or the bike doesn't fit, or whatever.

This isn't a matter of simply not liking drop bars. Rather, I am unwilling to force my left wrist with the implant to bend in positions it doesn't want to (and shouldn't) go, or raise the bars 6 inches. There is no one right way that works for everyone. Some love to be stretched out on the bike -- great!! Some don't -- great!! What we all have in common is that we're all getting out there and doing something that's good for us. This setup may keep me riding even longer. If my wrist implant breaks down, squeezing the levers from even the hoods may be impossible. So -- whatever keeps me, you, and anyone else riding, walking, running, or whatever for as long I/you/they can -- great!

stapfam

When I started on Road bikes- I was thinking about putting Time Trial Bars on it. I never used the drop position and found that I was riding on the hoods most of the time. The drop position was only so I could effectively use the brakes downhills. With a bit of training- I started using the drops but have to admit that it is still only on downhills and into headwinds.

The way Yens' bars are set up would give me a position similar to riding on the hoods. The top of the bars position is still there- But after a couple of years of road bikes- I think I would now be missing the drop position.

roadfix

Actually, Jen's set up is common. Some LBS stock road bikes with those set ups on the show room floor. But these 700c road bikes are geared mainly for the tri/time trial crowd but also seem to be popular with recreational cyclists as well.

Yen

Thanks George.

Or for boomers with aging wrist joint implants.