SeaStew

I was just wondering if anyone has used the bar ends ( drop bar ) on their hybrid bike. I have a 2013 trek 7.2 fx and on my ride today I started to think about bar ends which I will be buying and I have seen the drop bar ends and I'm just wondering if anyone one here has experience with them or if they would even work on a 7.2fx? Thanks.

bghill1

I did not know what these were until I googled them. By looking at the pictures I would think they would bolt right on to your existing bars.

Wanderer

I have them, and they work well. A good cheap way to add drops.

laflavor

Just put them on my Fuji about a week ago. I'm a big fan. I just pulled the grips off, and they clamp right on to the end of the bar. Installed in minutes. I also recommend getting some handlebar tape with them, as they just come as bare metal.

fietsbob

the end of the bar where they go is 22.2 so that is the clamp size ..

I hate the clamp fitting where it is, myself , but suit yourself.

Hornplayer

Were you able to tape over the clamp fitting? I just ordered a set but I'm not sure whether to take the grips off and try and roll tape over everything, or simply slide the grips towards the center of the bike and put the bars at the end.

Thanks

themishmosh

Pretty interesting. Google pics really helped seeing these in action. Noticed some put one brake lever on the flat bar and one on the drop bar. I would think you would have to cut your flatbar to shoulder width or less to fit properly, no?

Hornplayer

I think you just put them on the ends and deal with the fact that they are wider than real road drop bars. Really just adding a hand position for longer rides. If you expect to brake or shift from that position you're talking a lot more $ to convert shifters and/or brakes IMHO.

SeaStew

Interesting, I think I will take a chance and go buy them now. I agree on probably having to cut my handle bars a little to have a proper fit but they will help with strong head winds I'm sure. Looking them up on Amazon and they seem to have decent reviews and although I know they won't be like proper drop bars I think they will do the job. I like the fact I see some pictures with people using ergon grips with them.

laflavor

I can take some pictures of how I did it later today, I ended up removing the grips entirely, but I'm pretty sure I saw some customer pictures on Amazon in which the grips were either pushed towards the center, or just cut to a shorter length on the outside of the bar. To be sure, this solution looks a little goofy, but I'm glad I did it every time I hit a headwind.

Hornplayer

Thanks I'd love to see the pics. I got mine over the weekend and put them on already. I decided to just push the grips in medially and put the bars on the outside. I taped the bars, but not over the mounting bolt. The bolt is a little annoying, but I can easily put my hands in a hoods-like position without pressing into it. The drops themselves are too wide but usable, and the grips are now at a much better width. All in all a very cost effective way to get more hand positions for longer rides. I'll get some pics up soon.

SwampDude

My concern (although not a major worry) with conventional bar ends is that the tightening collar might loosen enough for one to pop off under pressure. Drop bar ends would be subject to greater pressure, so I'd check for tightness from time-to-time.

Hornplayer

Well you just made me glad I didn't bury the bolts under bar tape.

laflavor

You could always use some Loctite to prevent them from coming loose if you're worried about it.

Here is what mine ended up looking like.

Wanderer

Snug them down good - they won't come loose. When you are sure of their location, wrap 'em up.

Hornplayer

Here's how I set mine up.

xSequeira

I was looking into getting some, but a few people I talked to all mentioned that they found them a bit too wide to be comfortable. They all recommended getting a trekking bar, which I did and am extremely satisfied with!
The bar was only $20 at my LBS

Of course, to each his own. Just figured I'd throw that out there.

Hornplayer

I opted not to go for trekking bars because the majority of your time will always be spent with your hands near the shifters/brakes, and trekking bar setups move those closer to you and make you more upright.

Chacun a son gout.

xSequeira

I don't spend too much time with my hands near my shifters/brakes, save for when I opt for the upright position.
Definitely depends on where you're riding.

jmacavali

I know this post is from April (and it's not July) but there's not much discussion on this topic. After having my hybrid for about a month, I found I liked a more aggressive riding stance and was resorting to resting on my forearms on the bars. This certainly wasn't the safest riding position so I went looking for drop bar ends. I found the origin 8's and I have used them now for a few rides. I really like them. I moved my brakes/shifters in on my bar as far as I could. I have the drop ends bolted on about a thumb with from the end. It helps keep them from feeling too wide. I picked up about 1-2MPH with them now on the few rides I've done. They work great, and I can recommend them as an option.