Hi folks, I'm new to the forums...hoping this is the appropriate place to post.

I recently picked up an 84 Trek 610 in great condition with the intention to use it as a commuter bike and perhaps some road cycling for exercise when I can. I'm no bike expert, but looking forward to learning as I go. I'm considering changing out the original sakae handlebars for something with a flatter ramp for more comfort, as I'm told. I'd like to keep the width to 40cm, and I'm pretty happy with the bars an inch or so below the saddle. I believe the Nitto "Noodle" (mod. 177) only comes in 42cm or above. Someone has mentioned the nitto "dream bar" (mod. 176) as another possibility.

Any suggestions or feedback from personal experience would be much appreciated. Is having a flatter ramp all it's cracked up to be? Do bars with flatter ramps sacrifice anything in the drops, or any other hand positions? Also, I'm assuming a bar with flatter ramps means the brakes are positioned a bit more angled up (could be wrong here). If so, is this going to reduce access to the Shimano 600 brake levers, which seem to have a greater angle between the top of the hoods and the lever than some of the more modern brakes. And lastly, does anybody advocate for upgrading the brakes for any reason? The 600's seem to work great, although require a bit more finger squeeze than some of the newer brake systems I've tried - especially noticeable when I'm braking from the hoods.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions to the noob.

I have one of these that I bought new, nice bike. I also just got a 40cm Noodle, from Ben's Cycles in Milwaukee, an Ebay seller. You can actually position the brake levers wherever you want - it's worth some experimentation to find the right spot. The Noodle has much flatter ramps than the Dream or the Nitto B115.

I don't like the original brakes or levers, not even when they were new. I do like brakes from that era, I find the traditional Campy NR and SR sidepulls to be really good. The 600 (6207 series) seems a hard pull for meager braking, compared to the old Campy's, and worse than meager compared to a new dual-pivot system.

One problem is the lever pivot arrangement. I think Tektro has a lever that is not aero or a brifter, but has the same excellent geometry as a modern campy Ergo brake lever. Another is the original cable set -mine were visibly squishy when I pulled the brake lever. I replaced them (FINALLY!) with some Modolo cable sets, properly squared off, and have pretty crisp brake action now. Still want better calipers.

I've replaced almost everything on mine and had the frame realigned - Trek did not make my frame straight! I use 700c tubular wheels on it now, with SKS fenders and the original 6207 calipers, but with Modolo levers - I think they are more comfortable than the Shimanos, plus my shimano hoods are toast.

Good luck, it's a nice bike, if a little stiff.

Road Fan

Thanks for helpful info, Road Fan. I'll have a look at the Tektro and Modolo lever options, and probably go with the 40cm Noodle. I do agree with your "hard pull" assessment of the 600.

Also, if anyone is interested, I came across this helpful thread re. Nitto Noodles that more or less answers my questions on those:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...t=nitto+noodle