Which handlebars should I get?
 

Here's my problem. My fiance has a really beeeoyoootiful 1990 Schwinn Traveler. Her grandfather gave it to her so it has very sentimental meaning.

She broke her elbow about a year and a half ago and can't comfortably use drop bars. She's not comfortable in the drops, on the hoods, or on the flats. Puts too much direct pressure on the elbow. She can, however, ride her cruiser bike with the big wide handlebars because there is so little pressure on the elbow.

I want to get her some handlebars to convert the traveler so that she can ride it again. It would mean a lot to her. I also would want to set it up with bar-end shifters since I think she's be uncomfortable reaching down to the DT shifters.
I've been looking at North Roads bars, as I feel like that position would be ok for her. Problem is that it seems that most of the north road bars are too narrow in diameter to accommodate bar-cons.

So i need to find a handlebar similar to north road, that I can use with something like an Ergon grip, and bar-end shifters. If I can't use the Ergons, I'll be happy to use something else.

I have also thought of using Paul Thumbies. Nice idea, but I don't have the $60 to blow on them. I can get the bar-end shifter pods from Riv for $35, and use the existing DT shift levers. So it's a much cheaper option.

Any ideas?

what about nitto albatross bars? You can fit some nice grips, like cork or woodies on them, and i think you can get bar ends in them. Probably going to be important to get them nice and high too, you might want to think about a new stem as well.

here is how they look on my wife's bike. w/ cork grips.http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...n/DSC02375.jpg

I love the Nitto Albatross. They are absolutely gorgeous, but $50 for handlebars is a bit spendy. We're getting married in December. Every penny counts here. I was finding north road bars for $10-15 on Amazon.

Edit to add:

That Mercier is GORGEOUS!

Porteur bars from Velo Orange. The take bar ends or reverse brake levers. $26 is not too bad.
http://www.velo-orange.com/vopoha.html

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-8422422..._2067_18043717

Thanks! it's waiting for some new wheels and honjo's right now. We got married last june so I know how you feel about the $$. I'd keep an eye on ebay, best place for handlebars IMHO, and i'll second the suggestion for VO bars, they have a few swept back bars that look interesting.

I like the VO bars and a pair of friction thumb shifters. using a barend might be awkward. do not forget a nice tall stem! that likely has more to do with her comfort on the cruiser than the bars. she is just more upright so less weight on her arms

These were actually at the top of the list of the ones I was looking at. They look great.

Bianchigirl-I have a stem that I stole off an old Panasonic that'll raise things up a bit. Thanks for the heads up. I think you're absolutely right about the handlebar height.

Ebay may also be your friend
http://cgi.ebay.com/Handlebar-Tourin...3286.m20.l1116

Another thought is getting used, especially if you have a bike kitchen or coop in your town. North road type bars were extremely common 20 years ago.

Like I said before, I was finding northroad bars for $10-15 with not problem. It's the albatross bars that seem to be ~$50.

I do have a source where I may be able to find some used. I might go for that.

Thanks for this helpful info.

^^^
These guys/gals are fantastic aren't they?

I really really appreciate all the help and advice. As always.

+1. Those bars are serious cool.

Nitto Albatross are wider than conventional North Road bars. Once you try em, you'll understand why the $50 is worth it. They just make a bike look classy and they make a upright ride more comfortable. If you like wide bars, get 'em! I love mine.

I can sympathize with her broken elbow. I broke mine a little over a year ago or so, and it took a while to not be in pain while riding a bike, even when "recovered". Still, as it is, road riding kills my elbow, and I have to stretch it about every 10 minutes or so. Mountain biking is fine since I move around and flex the arm so much more. Riding my 3-speeds and On-One Mary Bar is always painless.

Just wanted to say "Been there".

Kevin

Yeah, it's been tough for her, but the elbow is finally relatively ok. Come to think of it, it's two years now as of last month! She broke it when she fell down the stairs. She put her hand out to break the fall (as many people do) and the energy from the impact with the floor traveled through the hand, up the Ulna, and cracked the tip of the ulna right in the elbow.
She has full range and use o the arm now, but anything that puts a straight load on the arm (think push-up position) still hurts her.

I hope yours heals up so you can get back out there and ride without pain.

another great handlebar thread

Just doing a little bit of cross-pollinating....

This is an excellent thread; thanks OP and others....

Just doing my bit by posting the link to another great handlebar thread: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ack+handlebars

How bout inexpensive friction thumbies for now, but update them later because plastic is not elegant.

http://www.niagaracycle.com/advanced...ifters&x=4&y=6

http://harriscyclery.net/product/var...fters-2741.htm