I've got a likely 1970's English stem and bar, road bars cut and turned over to make bull horns. After reading about fears of old bars being weak, I do baby them a bit. I'm going to replace them with something I don't mind pulling on a little harder.


I'm in pretty good cycling shape and not likely to make any major advances in strength, power, or endurance. As noted, I can handle it in perfect conditions when well rested, but it kicks my ass following a day when I ride pretty hard, or if its hot or windy. I have been alternating riding fixed and a geared bike. Yesterday I rode 24 miles on a geared bike in the morning, and about 9 miles in the evening on the fixed.

I know I can install a 1/8" cog without a 1/8" chain whip tool, I just don't like to not have the ability to work on it later if needed.


Thanks for the help.