Albatross Bar Conversion?
 

Thinking about doing this with the 81ish Schwinn Voyager I found the other day. I think it may even add value.

I can't tolerate the reach on vintage road bikes. So it's a pretty bike that I could ride, and if I choose to sell.....

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...728a43db16.jpg

Albatross is a great bar. I’m playing around with the fit on this one, now with a riser stem and flipped bars. I had the stock stem before with the bars upright, but this new way feels like a better fit. The bike may be too big for me, but it’s a very versatile bar nevertheless.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d1497f40b.jpeg

Another vote for the albatross. I haven't ridden drop bars since I was a teen, and the flat bar on my hybrid started causing wrist pain. The albatross completely eliminated it. Then I got my son a vintage '80s Bridgestone RB-2 and didn't like the drop bars, so I got him one also and he loves it. It works really well for a fast bike that you want to ride on more upright.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fb355adfe.jpeg

Yeah, I've been thinking about swapping my Nitto albatross bar from my favorite hybrid to my Centurion Ironman, just for giggles.

I'm not sure the Ironman frame is big/long enough, tho'. The albatross bar is a good fit for my Univega Via Carisma, which is slightly large for me -- long top tube, and the swept bar makes it more comfy.

But I could put a longer stem on the Ironman, trim maybe an inch off the ends of the albatross bar, and see how it fits.

Mostly I like the idea of a stealth commuter/casual bike that weighs only 25 lbs instead of 30+ lbs.

Due to chronic neck pain (old injuries) getting worse and keeping me off the bike for a few months, this is starting to sound more appealing. At least for longer rides. I can still handle 60-90 minute continuous rides, but anything longer and I'm in the hurt zone. So I've done very few longer rides the past year. I kinda miss those, especially the group rides with friends, which tend to be at a leisurely enough pace that I don't really need a drop bar and aggressive position to keep pace.

Nice bike and I love swept handlebars. But that kickstand there is a horrible idea.

That voyageur is great looking, I've not been upset with any bike I've up Albatross.
I've found them nice for easy cruising, or pushing my hands up for more spirited riding.
Sunlite "elson roadster" handlebar is 99% identical in shape,chromed steel, and likely $25-$30 from your LBS

I don’t care much for the tiller feel of bars with that much bend towards parallel to ride direction. Steering feels slow. I’ve come to like the upright bars with a 15 degree bend. Fairly quick steering and riding position being similar to riding the tops on drop bars.

Excellent timing. I currently have my Super Course set up with Soma Oxford bars which are nearly identical to Albatross bars and I am trying to decide whether or not to go back to drops. If I could find a set of bars similar to Albatross bars that were about 2" or so wider, I would definitely go with those. I love the position but some more width would make them perfect.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...d2bd4738_b.jpgUntitled by Andy Beichler, on Flickr

I tried these bars on different bikes. I did not like the feel, but they looked the vintage part. Needless to say, the bars are now hanging in the bike shed, never to be fitted again...
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5c52dfc2a8.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b2ead3ba15.jpg

[QUOTE=canklecat;21987019]
Due to chronic neck pain (old injuries) getting worse and keeping me off the bike for a few months, this is starting to sound more appealing./QUOTE]

Years ago I slipped a disc in my neck, and couldn't ride bent over, nerve would pinch and my left arm would go numb, so I went upright.

Here's Bosco bars mounted on a '71 Raleigh International:

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f92f76997b.jpg

With a lot of PT I was able to go back to drop bars, but they're level with the saddle nowadays, and my stems are 3-4 cm shorter than BITD.

On thing I have noticed in this thread. Nobody has flipped the bars down. They have them up.

I may do nothing and just move it along. Vintage road bikes are to unforgiving, and uncomfortable.

The first response to your thread has the bars flipped.


Seems like it could be a fit issue, maybe try a larger or smaller frame. I would probably have thought the same thing, but after trying a few different bikes and adjusting stem hight & handlebar configuration, I love my '89 Voyageur.

The whole point of these comfort bars is to be somewhat upright. Plus they only really work with a 23.5" TT, and I'm just 5'8".
That Univega has a silly high stem to fit the upside down bar. I don't like doing that anyway, because it sucks when I turn the bike upside down to fix or clean it. I have been raising mine lately, far less pressure on my hands and neck.

If your seat is where it’s comfortable for your legs, then that bike is likely too big for you. You have bars with standard reach. You would likely be happier with a bike with a seat tube a couple cm shorter, and Soma Highway One short reach drop bars do a lot for comfort. This spring will be a good used bike market for sellers, so it’s not a bad time to move it along. Nice bike, btw.

I’m playing with the setup on my Univega because it’s currently my only fat-tired MTB, and it’s a frame I don’t see much; plus, it was a cheap pickup/overhaul and a fun project. But, I also have it listed for sale right now, as the fit feels like a losing battle. I understood that going in as the previous rider was 6” taller than I am.

?? I was thinking it's too SMALL and cramped. Looks like it has massive knee overlap.

I was concerned about that, but nope. It’s very stable at low speed, no knocked knees. Because of the long top tube, my baseline was overextended reach, and these bars help equalize that.

This was a thrift store find.

Most vintage roadies are way to big! I hate the reach!

I was fitted for a bike when I was the same size and height I am now, and I brought the bars back on that bike. An 85 Univega that was bought new for me. Don't remember the model.

I will continue on my F 700......

I walked in to my local dig spot this morning and somebody had an extra small 520 sitting outside. I had one of these that was also a thrift find that was to big. Made me think a trade for a few year old one. Yeah, sure......