What type of handlebar is this?
 

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_img_1866.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_img_1859.jpg

And, most important, is this the way it should be installed?

That's a Trekking bar from Nashbar. The open end can face forward or rearward, whatever makes you happy.

Thanks, looks like it... Second stupid question: I don't quite see how they are that much different from MTB bar with ends. Is there something I'm missing?

you can use the forward position, the side position, the back position, probably more positions... so if you are asking, yeah they are a lot different.

randy

For a moment there I thought that was one picture and was trying to work out what on earth was going on

Well ... I have to agree ... I've never seen the bar mounted at such an extreme vertical angle. It is more common to have the front and rear of the bar at a more horizontal angle. At least thats how mine is.

Like what was said earlier ... what ever makes you happy.

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/img_1859.jpg

That's how shop set them up, and while I can see their logic I'm not sure its 100% perfect for me

Then again, frame is already a bit higher than it's prudent, and more horizontal angle would make me sit completely upright, not what I really want although I don't want "roadie" position either.
(just a centimeter or less of clearance when I straddle the frame, I figured it would work, since that would be commuter, maybe some light trails, not much else. and lower frames wouldn't have wheel base I was after, unless those were WSDs... )

Hmm... I know I'm an idiot, but how do you brake then? Compared to my old singlespeed this bike can go insanely fast (as I count these things, anyway...) and I'm more than a bit nervous when there's no brake lever under my fingers...(Ok, yesterday's test of what a second-highest gear at proper cadence feels like scared me like hell... Really. :) Even with brakes within reach. )

Figured it. If I turn levers so that they are parralel to the bar itself, I can brake with my thumbs from anywhere on the bar. Works best with bar being horizontal.