Anyone using midge bars to commute? I'm considering Midges, Northroads, or Noodles and would appreciate any feedback/comparisons.

In particular, with the midges, I'm concerned about whether the tops are a usable, comfortable position, or whether the drops are really the place you spend your time. Also, set up suggestions are appreciated (I've heard get 'em up high, but did you change stem length?).

About me: commuter, occasional tourer, currently using old Sakae modolo drops that are too narrow and too low. Only comfortable position on them is the hoods. I also have wrist problems (but not carpal tunel), so taking some weight off my hands is important and keeping them at a relatively neutral position is good.

Thanks much.

Midge bars are designed so that you are in the drops most of the time if you set them up correctly. Not the tops and not the hoods. But I bet the tops would be a good spot for bolt upright riding.

Midge bars are 58 cm wide. Seems a little too wide to me.

If you're goin' off-road, wider = better leverage

i rode the midges for a month and thought they were cool, not perfect though. The drops are a bit short for me and i never felt like i got them set up as i would have liked. I went to a flat bar with barends and have like that very much.
Also, I just started using a 46 cm Bontrager road bar w/ canecreek brake levers and like that too as it offers great hood positioning, which the midge does not. Personally, i like a bar where the drops are used mainly for aerodynamic advantages but may not be super comfy, and the hoods/tops are more comfy for 90% of my riding time. With the midges, its the other way around; if you set them up so the drops are comfy (as I did) the tops/hoods become LESS aero... what position do you use in a headwind to get more aero? Additionally, the midges arent particularly nice on the hoods. the tops are fine. the ramps are really uncomfortable so I only had 2 nice hand positions (i can find 5-6 on the standard road bar). Just my 2 cents and not a slam on the midges as i do think they are cool and will be giving them another shot soon...
think about Nitto noodle bars in 48cm if you want a wide, strong and comfrotable bar with cane creek brake levers (they have a nice wide hood shape). My bontrager 46cm Select bars are nice too: cheap but a bit flexy.

I don't have any experience with the midge bars but from what I've read it is designed so that you could spend more time on the drops which is not that comfortable in the first place. On the other hand I just recently installed a 46cm Nitto Noodles bar on my commuter with Cane Creek brake levers and I'm loving it. I specially like the way the top bars of the Noodles are angle slightly to make gripping them more comfortable compared to straight standard drop bars. I really notice the difference when I transition to my road bike with standard drops which makes me want to change them to Noodles too.

Properly set up, the Midge bars are comfortable in any position, flats, hoods, drops.






I have recently swapped the Midges off the fixed Cross-Check for a set of Titec H-Bars. No reason other than I wanted to try them.

+1 on the Nitto Noodle bars. Comfortable and fun to ride.

Also, have you considered moustache bars?

I use them on two of my bikes. Like what they said proper setup is key.Here is a late addition of my commuter with the Midges and no, this is not part of my commute. I sure wished it is.

I use the Midges on my commuter (Surly cross-check). The short drops took some getting used to, as I have big hands. This was mainly an issue when I had the bike as a single speed. Once I put my barcons on, the drops feel much better.

I have a set that is still on the bench because I don't have extra levers or bar-cons right now. I 've clamped them in to try them out on the street in front of my house without brakes, which is very limited, but I like them up high. Bar cons will definitely help with the short grips.

Right now I have Nitto B115's on the tour bike. These are exactly like the Noodles except no back angle in the tops. Relatively shallow drop of 5". If I had the money and know-how, I would produce a bar with another 2 degrees of angle in the tops and a drop that is flared like the Midge, but with longer grips.

The commuter/all purpose bike has North Roads. No question about it - they are the most comfortable handlebar I have ever used. I even use this bike on centuries.

I run Midges on my single-speed KM that is my main commuter. They take a while to get used to and a lot of tweaking, but once you have them set up right they are comfortable in the drops and on the hoods. They rock for getting that extra needed leverage when pumping up the hills since down shifting is not an option on a single-speed. The drops are at an almost perfect ergonomic position for your hands. (Angled slightly out at the ends) I recently changed to a stem with a steeper angle to get them up a little higher and further back. You want to make sure all your weight is not resting on your hands or they will hurt. That said, I also have Nitto Noodles on the Witcomb and would definitely recommend them for multiple comfortable hand positions.