What to do about those grooves?
 

Hi all,

So I decided to switch to a more anatomical handlebar set up on my fixie, because the standard drops aren't too comfortable for long rides, for my taste. I got a Cinelli Nerve, black, 42 cm... nice and tight drop bars with anatomical dimensions... only thing is that there are grooves set into the bar for a normal road bike's shifters+brakes. I'm only sporting one brake, and it goes to the front, so it basically won't be using the grooves at all... Is this an opportunity to use the grooves to dampen the vibrations from LA's crappy roads?

I was thinking I'd silicon caulk in the grooves (and before it cures, smooth it so it's seamless in the bar) and then wrap it in the full cork tape... otherwise I think the grooves will just be a nuisance to feel while riding.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Ever try it? Any ideas?

you're correct about the grooves being a nuisance, hopefully someone will have some good ideas.

Empty cable outer casing?

techone has got the right idea, if you just cut some old brake cable housing to the proper length and tape them in place in the groove the bar should feel more rounded out. Another option would be to get a single groove bar, such as some older modelo's (found on sheldon brown's website). Ritchey also makes a lot of bars with single grooves.

Or get bars without grooves?

Unfortunately most newer bars come with grooves... checked sheldon brown's Harris website too - they've got a bar or two that looks good, but since I'm not riding le tour, I don't have le sponsors nor le budget... $25 for a really lightweight cinelli (ebay) that feels really comfy? deal. I think the housing idea is pretty good, thinking I'll caulk it in place with the silicon and give it some vibration dampening effect while the opportunity is there... if it works, i'll post up a little how-to, er step by step for anyone else who may be in a similar situation....

beads of silicone or thin cable housing.....

Definitely.

Aluminum Nitto track bars maybe?

How about something squishy like tygon tubing (if you can find it small enough) or aquarium hose?

I've also got a bit of caterpillar housing sheath that came with my STI shifters- it would probably bridge the groove fine. Don't kow if they still make it- it's probably sheath or groove, not usually both.

I'd just put some cork tape across them laterallly underneath your normal tape...that might work as well if you're looking for something softer. Or, as others suggested, just use empty housing. Even and old inner tube would work if you cut it up and played around with it.