Originally Posted by
finch204
If you use the Gator bar with flat bar shifters/brakes, you effectively have just one hand position. I mean yeah you can ride on the "tops" but it is far from the drops, where your brakes are, which is a similar problem to riding a regular drop bar. Since you don't have STI levers on it, then you also won't be able to ride the "hoods", which at this point makes it inferior to a drop bar. So really you only have the drops as your hand position.
I think a better alternative is the Jones H-Bar/Loop Bar. You get multiple hand positions and the brakes are relatively easy to get to, you just slide your hands up or down the handlebar. I actually have been contemplating on installing one on my Giant Roam as an alternative to getting bar ends.
I think the review of the Gator Bar I read utilized pseudo levers to provide another hand position.
I do understand your point though. I have studied the Jones bars. I am concerned that that large and heavy bar might be weird on a light Focus bike. I have actually been trying to lighten my bar & control mechanisms. I have been thinking about swapping out the grip shifter, as it can be a limiting factor.