JasperGra

Hi guys,

I am building my first own bike and there is one thing I might need some information on. It's about the configuration of my handlebars. I already got the Ritchey 4-Axis 31.8mm stem.

Here are the 2 configurations I consider:

1.
Handlebars: Dead Elementi Crononero 31.8mm / 40cm
Brake levers: Cane Creek Crosstop Brake Levers 31.8mm
Shifters: Shimano SL-BS79 Bar End

This way I would mount the brake levers on the extended 31.8mm section of the handle bars close to the stem. However, ideally I might want the shifters on the flat part of the bars and bar end brake levers instead. Just because I feel that this is where I wanna have my hands for stability reasons when going fast anyways. So it would be nice to have the brake levers there too. Which brings me to configuration 2.

2.
Handlebars: ?
Brake levers: Cane Creek 200 TT or 3T TT Aero Cycling Brake Levers
Shifters: Dura Ace 7900 10 speed downtube shifters (I own those already)
Adapters: Paul Thumbies

However, since I need handlebars with a 31.8mm clamp diameter and those Thumbies only come in 22.2mm, I would need bullhorns that have a rather steep reduction from 31.8mm to 22.2mm. Otherwise, I would not be able to mount the shifters and still have enough room for my hands on the flat part of the bars. At least that's what I'm afraid of.

So I am looking for bullhorn handlebars that allow this configuration to work. Does anyone around here know which handlebars could fulfill that requirement?

Thanks a bunch!

fietsbob

Less Of a Kludge.. SJS cycles UK bought JTek , has a combined reverse lever that goes in the ends of your Bullhorns

and includes A boss to take the thumb or a Down tube shift lever ..

Jtek Engineering Bicycle Equipment Shop at SJS Cycles

fietsbob

& there are machined shims to use a smaller bar in a larger stem , so you dont need to limit your choices.

nfmisso

Put the in the bar end shifters, use a set of Cane Creek Crosstop Brake Levers 24mm as reverse levers up near the shifters (probably will require road brake cables with a pear shaped end), in addition to the Cane Creek Crosstop Brake Levers 31.8mm next to the stem. Gives you two brake lever positions.

Tim_Iowa

Oooh, those are cool. Nice find, Bob.
@JasperGra, these are reverse brake levers that mount to standard bar-end shifters. You could still add cross-top brake levers near the stem. If you plan to use bar-end shifters, ensure the bullhorns you buy are compatible (many cheapo bullhorns are not).

Or, if you want to use Paul thumbie, they come in 23.8 road bar diameters as well as 22.2 MTB bar diameter.
They're also available in Shimano, SRAM, or Campagnolo compatibility.
Make sure you order the correct variant.

JasperGra

Thanks a bunch guys!

So many options... Basically I'm trying to keep my handlebars as clean as possible. Until now I was riding Dura Ace down tube shifters, but my new frame doesn't allow me to mount those.

So on the one hand I'm trying to find a solution that keeps all unnecessary clutter off the handlebars while not going into a direction that's too competitive for my riding style.

@fietsbob: I love the thinking behind those Jtek Aero brakes, but I'm concerned, cramming all the brake and shifting options in such a small space won't be the right thing for my riding. It's not like I'm doing time trials or triathlons. I ride my bike mostly in Los Angeles for pretty much everything like commuting, 20 mile rides a few times a week and century rides every now and then.

Also, I've heard so many different opinions by now about shimming stems down to a different bar diameter that I don't know anymore what to believe. Has anyone here ever made bad experiences with a shimmed stem?

Also, I prefer riding my bullhorns with the horns pointing down, not up.



So basically I just mount them in reverse. It feels way nicer to me to have the curved ends point down, so the bars mold nicely in my hands during climbs. While I don't see a problem with this in combination with bar end shifters, I was wondering if bar end brakes will still fit here, since the lever will come really close to the bar this way.

Since I want to keep my handlebars as clean as possible, there will only two brake levers be on there in the end...

I like the Thumbies, but I guess for me they'll only make sense if bar end brakes will work with my bullhorns turned upside down.

Any advice?

SlowJoeCrow

Since you ride with your bullhorns pointing down like the upper part of a standard drop bar have you ever considered simply running a drop bar with standard integrated brake/shift levers like a normal road bike? That would give you a clean looking bar since most current designs route the shift cables under the bar tape and you get extra hand positions on the hooks and drops and you still have the option of adding bar top levers if you prefer them.

JasperGra

I was riding drop bars for the last 9 years or so. I just converted my drop bars like a year ago with a pipe cutter to bullhorns and really like it. I like it a lot to twist the bars up a little, so my hands, wrists and forearms are forming like a straight line when holding the horns. Doing this with drop bars would mean that the drop section will be far away from parallel to the ground.

fietsbob

Guidonnet brake levers would follow the curve https://www.benscycle.com/p-238-dia-...EmOxoCFlrw_wcB
of what is a drop bar with the drops sawed off, offering a few more hand positions still right by the brake lever

https://store.velo-orange.com/media/c...with_drops.jpg

SlowJoeCrow

OK, I see where you are coming from, but compact drops like the FSA Omega would do that since my bike has that handlebar with the top surface angled slightly up so my wrists are straight while riding on the hoods and because of the sharp curve below the hood the drops are only slightly angled down and still comfortable.