imabeliever1

The anatomical handlebars that came on my latest ride are not doing it for me. So, looking at the Nitto Noodle bars. I like the longer straight grip area on the drops. They also have a more “traditional” look. And wider bars are readily available. I will be running brifters.

My question is are there any downsides to the Noodles? Brifters not a good thing because of bend? Other issues?
Any other recommendations for other like bends (44cm on top and 26.0@ stem ) in a similar price range?

thanks

Steve B.

The sweep back at the bend tends to position the shifters - and your hands, about 10cm back then when using a more typical ergonomic bar. Thus you might want a longer stem.

The Golden Boy 

I love the B177 bars. Like anything, there's people that love them and people that don't love them.

People always compare/refer to the B177 as 'rando' bars, but they're kind of 'anti-rando' bars. Instead of a rise at the corners, they dip down. There's a slight sweep back at the corner that goes back- but I think that's pretty well offset by the long ramp. They do have a slight flare- but it's minimal compared to other 'rando' bars. I have nerve damage in my left hand, so I spend a lot of time riding on the corners and tops- they work for me.

Again, keep in mind that bars are measured at the ends, and there is a bit of splay- so a 44 is going to feel slightly narrower than a non-splayed out 44.





IMG_1703 by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr

Command Shifter + RRL Lever by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr

Warren128

I use Noodles on two of my bikes I really like them. Some people may find the drops too deep if they are used to the newer style compact short reach/short drop bars. I think the Noodles work great on a classic bike. I had no problems mounting my Campy Ergo shifters on them.

'87 Raleigh

original_26a4438c-b96d-415a-8783-70482de39d1f_IMG_20221103_174416258 (1) by warren t., on Flickr

'96 Litespeed

IMG_20220908_180553595_HDR by warren t., on Flickr

jet sanchEz

I chose them for my Cinelli because the original stem was 135mm long

Very comfy and they look the part

Dfrost 

Another Nitto Noodle fan here. They’re (42cm) on both my bikes, no downside that I sense, although I didn’t care for the 44cm version; 40cm would probably be “ideal” for narrow-shouldered me.

Compared to compact bars like Soma Hwy One (with 2cm longer stem, so identical reach), which I’ve also used quite a bit, I find that there’s room for more hand positions around the ramps on Noodles, so more options to offset hand issues. FWIW, I briefly tried SR’s version of rando bars with upward tilted ramps, and didn’t find any magic comfort unlike what BQ often says.

I use mine with early Campy Ergo brifters, and intentionally set them up with the brifters slightly higher on the bends. (I’m older and stiffer at 73, but still riding without any motors!)

Noodles:


For comparison, Hwy On (image intentionally reversed):

Steve B.

Its a very comfortable bar, I have them on my tourer. I like that its flat'ish behind the shifters/brake levers.

imabeliever1

Thank you all for your informative replies. I do believe a set of Noodles is in my future.

Charles Wahl

Tried and didn't like. The sweep-back from the stem was anti-ergonomic for me; much prefer bars that sweep forward like a set of track bars. Nitto made a B-155 model (I think) that fit that bill very well, but I can't find any more than the single example I bought on eBay -- must have discontinued it.

john903

I am one of the few who did not care for the swept back tops. I felt like I was was being pushed back. I suppose a longer stem would have worked but then the brake hoods would have been to far away. I did really like the feel of the drops though.

canklecat

I have a drop bar that's essentially similar to the Nitto Noodle in a box. Forget the brand and name but compared the specs back in 2018 or 2019 when I got 'em. Very traditional, pretty similar to the Winpista on my Centurion Ironman.

I like that kind of bar with brake-only setups, with downtube or bar-end shifters. Usually a stem in the 110-120mm length (I'm 5'11" with longish arms), although with age and neck problems I sometimes prefer a slighter shorter stem, or some other way to reduce the reach and sit upright just a bit more.

But I didn't like that bar design with brifters. For example, the MicroShift 7-speed brifters I used on one bike extended the reach quite a bit more than was comfortable for me. I switched to the FSA Omega Compact drops. Perfect.

FWIW, the Soma Hwy One drops shown above are identical to the configuration of the FSA Omega Compact drops. The only difference is the tubing diameter and stem size. But the reach, drop and length of the bar-ends are identical. I have both. The FSA Omega is currently on a 2010 or so Diamondback Podium with brifters and a 120-130mm stem. The Soma Hwy One is the smaller diameter tubing and will go on my 1993 Trek 5900 OCLV, which is basically built like a carbon fiber version of a classic steel road bike, with an early version of a 1" threadless headset. At a glance it resembles a quill stem, unless you notice there's no bolt on top to lock in the wedge. The somewhat more svelte Soma Hwy One better suits the lines of that bike. And the shorter reach across the top makes for a smoother transition to brifters.

Dylansbob 

The only downside is availability in certain sizes and how much inflation/transport costs have made the price rise since '`19

Robvolz 

OK, can someone send me a link to, or explain why the C & V crowd has a love affair with NITTO?

While sorting through parts at the co-op, my heart jumps when I think I found a Cinelli or 3TTT, but no, its another NITTO.

We even have them in the glass cases because someone thought they were valuable.

We have so many down there, I want to find an art project for them, coat hooks maybe? Antlers?


I have no hatred towards non-Italian parts, and I'm not a purist. My Italian car has tires made in Korea.

but I've seen restored Pinerellos with NITTOs and everyone else seems great with it.

What is their story?

noobinsf 

Excellent quality produced by skilled and knowledgeable craftspeople in a small company that treats its people well, with most things available at relatively affordable prices. What's not to like?

Robvolz 

sounds great. I couldn't fathom them being small from all the bars that come in. Love a company that treats employees with respect.

where they ever stock pieces in euro bikes?

Soody

Blue lug has a pretty cool factory tour video at Nitto (turn on English subs if you don't speak Japanese)

nick_a

I ran a set of 44s for about two years on my New Albion, and now run 46, both with short-ish stems to compensate for their long reach to the hoods. I'm about 6'3, 210lbs and really like all of the hand positions and the flats up to the hoods, as was mentioned above.

Steve B.

One downside, is if not doing a C&V threaded stem, it can be harder to find a threadless stem in 26.0.

tkamd73 

No downside to anything Nitto makes, except availability.
Tim

squirtdad

absolute top quality and beautiful finish, feel good to hold.

next build is full nitto cockpit noodle, pearl stem and double bolt seatpost

Nitto did the stems and seat post for shimano dura ace back in the olden days