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Old 03-08-10 | 01:31 PM
  #6  
Torrilin
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,522
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From: Madison, WI
I'm pretty sure you don't want moustache bars. All the versions I'm aware of are standard road diameter. That means the grip shifter for an IGH won't fit on the bar, since they're all made for mountain bar diameter, and that's thinner than standard road. So unless you're using a hub that is set up for a bar end shifter, or you're lucky enough to have one of the clamp on Sturmey Archer shift boxes... you're gonna be cursing at moustache bars.

Nitto's North Road/Dove bar and the various clones in that style is mountain diameter, gives a neutral wrist position like 'stache bars, and will take the damned twist shifters.

You also might want to double-check with her... a sloping top tube tends to go with more compact frame geometry. I'm all in favor of this, since I've got a long torso and short stubby legs. Compact and cargo-friendly chainstays means the bike fits me juuuuust right. If that isn't her build, she might be happier if you get her a frame to suit. Doublecheck too that she's not planning to ride in a skirt. I do sometimes, and I have learnt to my sorrow that a sloping top tube makes skirts kinda exciting to ride in. The wrong kind of exciting, where the skirt tries to fight your every move.

If she's one to bike in a skirt, I'd look at Soma's Buena Vista mixte frame. If she's not, Surly's Crosscheck. The 1 x 1 is *really* me friendly geometry wise... North Roads will help, but I dunno that the chain stays and bottom bracket position would really be what she wants.
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