intransit1217

https://imageshack.com/i/kqcohUGMj

I can lose the reflector because I have the light. But since I added bar ends, things are getting tight. Rhyme not intended.

Hopefully I won't need too much more bar space...I'd hate to have to add a "horn" to mount stuff on. And these bars are wide enough.
There are a lockout switch and a handlebar bag in the future.

Anyone else farkled yourselves out of bar-estate?

Medic Zero

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It's always a struggle for me, I prefer high rise bars (or more extreme) so already, the amount of space I have is limited. That combined with the fact that I pretty much insist on having not only a bell, but a horn as well as using trigger shifters means that it's always tight. I have yet to have to resort to a second stem, or one of the clamp on things* that gives you more real estate, but I won't be surprised when it happens to me. I've already had to mount my Airzoundz horn upside down to get the switch for it right next to my hands, where I like it.

My one saving grace is I have no interest in mounting my phone or a GPS unit to any of my bikes, so I'm at least spared that incursion on bar space. Only one of my forward facing lights ends up on the handlebar too.

Personally, I like reflectors. Lights die, or aren't turned on when you are parked**. That said, there are other places to mount reflectors, particularly if you have a front rack, or you could even go the reflective tape route and put some on the front of your forks. My Nitto Big Front Rack has a boss on it for something at the front, I've put a nice white antique reflector there, but my Cateye Reflex light I use for a front flasher is also a reflector IIRC. Some lights are like this and are combined reflector/lights. The PDW Fenderbot comes to mind in this regard. If you wanted to, you could probably mount a reflector on a headset spacer that is designed for mounting something to it, to clear up handlebar space. That's basically where my Reflex light is mounted, but that Cateye light came with a mount that was wide enough to go around my stem. The light mounted to my handlebars is a flashlight.

* Several companies make something that does this. Minoura comes to mind ("Spaceclamp"?), it'd be nice to hear the other options out there for this, I know at least one other company makes something that clamps to your bars and provides more space to clamp accessories to, but I don't know any of the makes/models off the top of my head.

** Usually not an issue, particularly if you are stealth camping, but there've been a few times that I've been happy to have plain reflectors on my bike. Sleeping for a few hours in a turn-out on the side of a mountain highway comes to mind. At least one car pulled over into it while I was trying to sleep (not the best place to be sure, but that happens sometimes touring), and I was thankful for the reflectors on the bike between my sleeping bag and the cars pulling in.

Dave Cutter

+1
I know it's popular to remove the reflectors (and dork disc) as soon as bike gets home. But I think reflectors serve a useful function.

fietsbob

With a longer steerer tube on my Fork, I have 2 stems stacked on top of each other,
the lower one has a 1" Aluminum tube in it instead of a handlebar, a longer tube can take all the gadgets you want to mount.

Mine just carries the Bar Bag Mount , below trekking bars in the top-stem.. stuff goes in the bar bag , not on the bars.

put my computer mount on the right fork blade between the cantilever brake boss and the lowrider rack.

battery, so, flashlight doubling, headlight mount on the Low Rider hoop right above the bag .

Rob_E

I'm short on space, too. My computer is mounted right on the stem (looks like yours is, too), and I have bell that's mounted on a spacer ring (from Velo Orange, I think), so my handlebars have my ergon grips, brake levers, grip shifter, phone mount, and back-up headlight/flashligh (Twofish flashlight mount--my primary headlight is crown-mounted). The fat shifter, which is the only shifter which will work with my hub, is a special nuisance since it can't be removed or relocated and it it interferes with me grabbing my albatross bars at the bend. I don't have a good solution beyond a 2nd stem/bar. I've considered it, but in the end, by getting the bell off the bar and on to the stem, and getting the light mounted elsewhere, I'm out of ideas. One thing I've been thinking of is removing the computer entirely, since I rarely use it, and mounting my phone mount on the stem. Of course if you weren't looking for a place to mount a phone, that probably wouldn't help you.

spinnaker

I went with a second stem too. I am glad I did.

veganbikes

What function is that???
The only reason they exist on bikes is because the companies that make the bikes don't give two ****s about you and want to save money. They lobby the CSPC for reflectors so they don't have to put lights on bikes which could actually make a difference. I see the point that Medic Zero is making but I haven't had those issues. I would just add reflective tape or paint if I did

As far as bar real estate just get the Daija Cycleworks Accessory mount and then you have your bars back. Heck you could probably even add a Topeak BarExtender to the accessory mount and get even more real estate. Plus the Accessory mount doesn't add the extra weight of a second stem and longer steerer tube plus the tube and it takes up only bolts on your stem. If you need a bell, get a spacer mounted bell like the Alexander Graham Bell from Portland Design Works or one of the Crane Bells. Plus there are also mounts that replace your top cap and plenty of stem mounted doodads.

intransit1217

Well, at least I'll have a use for all the stems I seem to be acquiring.

linnefaulk

My reflector is mounted on a bracket that sits at the bottom of the stem.

nun

I only have a computer mounted on my bars. I don't have a light there because I use my headlamp if I am riding in the dark. I don't see a need for a bell as I can shout.

mm718

I like my bars to be as clean as possible... Computer on stem, bell on side of stem. My light is attached on a bracket near the front brake.

lee kenney

Problemsolvers has a selection of bits for xtra cargo

psy

Did someone say handlebar space?

psy

Yeah its a bit rediculous but very functional

alan s 

Here is another option.

LeeG

They do, SOLAS reflective patches do a great job on the inside of rims, forks etc

saddlesores

if you need more mounting space, couldn't you just switch to a set of
bmx-style handlebars? the type with that extra straight bar that
connects the two endie-parts above the rise? in fact, i think you can
buy aftermarket bolt-on connectors for bmx bars that don't have them
already.