https://velo-orange.blogspot.com/2010...andlebars.html

I really want the randonneur but 400 grams is a hard pill to swallow.

Wow. Wide handlebars for classic bikes. And just a bulge in the middle so you can mount a handlebar bottle cage. Might be the best new product I've seen in a while. Though I did like being the funny looking guy, with the too narrow handlebars, on the bike path.

I've heard criticism of VO on a few fronts but hey, I give them credit for trying to get new products to market at usually reasonable prices for a cottage manufactuer. If I end up liking stretched leather saddles that new Model 1 he refers to in the same blog post looks nice.

https://store.velo-orange.com/index....e-model-1.html

I'm gonna give the Course model and that new Model 1 saddle a try. I think the weight difference between a 44cm Nitto Noodle and the 44cm Course is just under 2 ounces. The weight difference between the Nitto Randonneur and the VO Rando is less than 3 ounces. Even if you weigh 130 pounds it seems silly to me to quibble over two or three ounces on a bike.

I think they got the randonneur bars right - the wide splay is what I like to see in a randonneur for both comfort and style. True, they're almost 3 ounces heavier and $7 more than Nittos, but they are a very attractive alternative.

Kinda mad at VO for this one- as up in arms as Chris got about Elektra stealing his designs (which he already stole himself), he turns around and rips off the Grand Bois handlebars.

Now, I know what yer thinking, It's not like Grand Bois had an original thought on this one, they're just ripping off old Phillipe bars. BUT, Grand Bois went out and contracted the new bends, started selling them and now that there's a market, Chris is coming in and making cheaper knockoffs.

Kind of a dick move if you ask me.

BTW, I've got the Grand Bois randonneur bars and they are about my favorite handlebar ever. But they are pretty narrow. That's great on a low trail bike but I don't know how that translates to a normal higher trail bike.

It's called commerce, brother. Business. There are patents for such things. VO claims the bends are their own, though inspired by other brands. I doubt VO really takes any business away from GB. Rather, I suspect the existence of each is healthy for their respective businesses. You could always protest with your wallet. Just don't buy their stuff.

I wonder if these are produced by Nitto?

They're certainly produced overseas....Nitto is the best in asia when it comes to that.

If they aren't produced by Nitto how can they be of as high quality?

I like the idea of a sandblasted surface for the parts of the bar you'll never see, but I wonder if in practice it will affect adhesion of bar tape.


I welcome any new handlebar that doesn't have that ugly ergo bend

As I said, the thing that bugs me most about it us how much VO protested about Electra doing it to them.

If they'd had your "it's called commerce, brother" attitude about it (which I mostly agree with), then what they're doing wouldn't seem so hypocritical.

Wait. What did Elektra "rip off" from VO? Just curious. I like VO's stuff, but I think it's pretty hard to claim anyone ripped off the designs of a brand that sells stuff that is based upon 30-60 year old designs.

I don't know about the VO v. Electra thing you reference. Nor do I really care. Perhaps the VO v. Electra and the VO v. GB situations aren't apples and apples, though. And we've all been hypocritical at one time or another. The VO folks seem like nice people. But, they're a business first and we're consumers. I can't think of a company that seems to consider the input of their consumers as well as VO.

Good question, Zaphod. It's pretty well established that Nitto makes the highest quality parts (of the type they produce). That's not to say a smaller company couldn't come along and produce an equal or superior product. Nitto does make some of the VO bars. I'll give a report of the bars and post some photos when I get them.

I suspect the sandblasted finish would improve adhesion of most wraps.

Yes but you are comparing that to Nitto quality which is about the best you can get in a bar.

There was a weird issue surrounding that dispute with Electra. I think they may use the same fatory for some products.

Also where did you hear that Nitto made some of their stuff? Is that on their site? I didn't know Nitto did that type of thing.

VO got pretty mad at Electra for "ripping off" their Constructeur" racks. Apparently they bought them from VO for their prototype and then shipped them to Taiwan for cheaper production.

And yeah, it's kinda funny when you figure that VO got that rack design from someone else.

Even funnier when you consider that VO originally contracted the rack construction with a small american builder, then shipped those designs off to taiwan for cheaper production.

I like VO. I've got plenty of parts from them. But at times, they can be a little trying.

https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...-23-8-dia.html
https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...-23-8-dia.html

Also, the Rivendell site is riddled with references to "this is our design and Nitto makes it for us".

I suspect Nitto is not making these two new VO drop bars models.

Yep, not more than 10 posts and the thread turns into a VO argument.

Look at it this way: It's payback time.

That said, the Grand Cru bars are very nice looking. I particularly like the frosted ends; very tasteful.

-Kurt

I'm hoping (first) they bring out a black anodized Lauterwasser bar that's shaped more like the real Lauterwasser bar than Soma's not-quite-Lauterwasser bar, and (second) that they get into a price war bringing the price within range. Now that would be cool.

I'd buy a $50 Lauterwasser bend bar. Don't hold your breath for black anodizing, though. Honestly, I don't see it happening in any finish. Never hurts to ask, though.

The original Lauterwasser bars, I think, were coated with black celluloid or something. That's why I suggest black anodized; but you know... when making silly wishes, no reason to hold back.

By the way, anyone who makes remake Lauterwasser bars would be well advised to sell them as a set with a super-short stem.

I have their left bank bars (amongst other things) and I like them very much. My only complaint would be that I had a hard time getting my grips not to slip down the bars toward the center. Perhaps the new sandblasting finish will improve that.

It would be nice to see them develop a fancy panto for the center of their bars like what classic SR, Cinelli and Nitto Bars have.

It's not as ornate as Nitto's, but it's kinda fancy. I love the panto on my Noodles. Maybe they'll do the same with their city type bars in the future.

Thats not bad. It fits with their style well.

Those don't seem to be sold under the Grand Cru name though. Rivendell does not put their name on the Nitto bars either. I was talking specifically about the bars under VO's name.

I think they have two "lines". "Grand Cru" and plain "VO". Right, they don't have a VO logo on them, but I'm not sure they're sold elsewhere. Regardless, we're arguing semantics here.

I would have been happy to support Grand Bois but 41 CM? That seems crazy to me. I have really broad shoulders and feel much more comfortable on wider bars.

I really want to pull the trigger on the new rando bars....

I finally got over the weight issue but now i'm struggling with the lack of grooves. I have campy ergo shifters. How comfortable is it to route two housings under tape without grooves?