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Nittos or knockoffs?
I’ve had these handlebars for years and I've used them on at least three different bikes. I seem to recall purchasing them at a LBS in the early 2000s. The shop carried Rivendell stuff and I thought they were Nitto Priest bars. (That was a Riv moniker, right?)
I was about to install them on a yet another bike, but upon close examination I could not find a Nitto marking anywhere. I have new Albatross bars so I matched them up. They’re a pretty close match in rise, sweep, and width. The markings on the bars include NR-AL-13 and W:545. Not hard to figure most of this out… north road, aluminum, 545mm width. I've never seen a Nitto product that wasn't branded. So if they’re knockoffs, what's the brand? https://i.imgur.com/Z8Gzawq.jpg?2 https://i.imgur.com/EmB528b.jpg?1 |
Above the markings you transcribed, I see the letters NL. That's the brand, I think. But I can't remember what it stands for.
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Originally Posted by rhm
(Post 20221622)
Above the markings you transcribed, I see the letters NL. That's the brand, I think. But I can't remember what it stands for.
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Originally Posted by Noah Scape
(Post 20221671)
Yeah, I neglected to mention that "NL". I think you're right, but I couldn't find any reference to NL handlebars on the internets. Nitto-Like perhaps?
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Wait, my initials are NL! I’m afraid I don’t remember manufacturing those bars.
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According to this post in a BMX forum, the initials are HL for Hsin Lung, a Taiwanese maker of bike parts.
Handlebars froma dyno bike I bought - BMXmuseum.com Forums |
Thanks Neal. Brand mystery solved. I wonder if they're still being made? So, I guess they're not Rivendell Priest bars. Anyone have a set of Priest bars? Just curious and I really couldn't find an image of them.
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Well, I can't find any connection between the NL logo and Hsin Lung. I realize the post you linked has photos, but I'm not seeing them. Other photos of the same logo that I've found on the web do, however, look more like HL than the one above:
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/Uy8AA...A0/s-l1600.jpg If you go to ebay and search for NL Seatpost, you'll find a lot of them. I have one on my folding bike, dated 2014, and made in China (not Taiwan) https://www.ebay.com/itm/2016-Strong...kAAOSwp-RaYhqT I am under the impression this NL or HL is a major manufacturer of bicycle components in China, making seatposts, handlebars, suspension forks, etc. |
Originally Posted by Noah Scape
(Post 20222106)
Thanks Neal. Brand mystery solved. I wonder if they're still being made? So, I guess they're not Rivendell Priest bars. Anyone have a set of Priest bars? Just curious and I really couldn't find an image of them.
google image search them. FYI, they're quite rare (i think they still are...) I sold mine about 10 years ago for $300. |
Originally Posted by beatifik
(Post 20222164)
I'm not sure if Nitto or Rivendell made "priest" bars, but Cinelli sure did. The legend is that the pope didn't like the drop bars on his custom built gold Colnago and wanted more upright bars. Cinelli invented the "pope" or "priest" bar shape for this project.
google image search them. FYI, they're quite rare (i think they still are...) I sold mine about 10 years ago for $300. |
I have Cinelli Priest bars and a shortened Nitto Dirtdrop stem on my Jeunet. The bars are designed to be used with road brake levers. I like the combination a lot, but only for short rides.
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Originally Posted by rhm
(Post 20222121)
Well, I can't find any connection between the NL logo and Hsin Lung. I realize the post you linked has photos, but I'm not seeing them. Other photos of the same logo that I've found on the web do, however, look more like HL than the one above:
If you go to ebay and search for NL Seatpost, you'll find a lot of them. I have one on my folding bike, dated 2014, and made in China (not Taiwan) https://www.ebay.com/itm/2016-Strong...kAAOSwp-RaYhqT I am under the impression this NL or HL is a major manufacturer of bicycle components in China, making seatposts, handlebars, suspension forks, etc. Thanks for the help! |
Originally Posted by rhm
(Post 20222121)
Well, I can't find any connection between the NL logo and Hsin Lung.
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Lots of handlebar manufacturers have long made a similar bend, bar , Nitto of Japan is just one of them ..
NL? Netherlands? Dutch bike style handlebars , Oma, Opa are grandma and pa bikes.. made for a very long time, There.. |
About Us Hsing Lung Accessoriess Co., Lte, known as HL CORP, has been a leading supplier to the bicycle industry for over 40 years, with a focus on providing innovative handlebars, stems and seat posts to bicycle assemblers and consumers globally. As could be expected from one of the world’s largest component manufacturers, we are equipped with world-class research, design and production facilities, as well as the experience to back it up. Above all though, a passion for riding is the driving force behind our company direction and it is this deep rooted ‘bicycle-minded’ philosophy that fuels the development of exciting new ideas at HL CORP Taiwan https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/02...g?v=1514471561 |
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