Alternative handle bars for commuting
 

Hi all. I have noticed several folks use different handle bars on their commuter bikes. This has me wondering what most guys are using and why they chose that particular type of handle bar?

I currently use the stock bars on each of my commuter bikes. However I am thinking of replaceing them with the following. What are your opinions of it?

I love 'em! I've got them on one of my bikes, and here are some of my observations:

-great alternative to anything else out there that's mainstream. (How many different flat bars does the market need!?!?!)

-they're really cheap right now

-great hand positions (obviously)

-they seem wide at first, but in my case, I measured them and they turned out to be the same width as the previous riser bar I was using

-they may make your bike seem inbalanced (if you're into that sort of thing) unless you have some sort of rack in the back...which you may since yours is a commuter.

-they're uglier in person, and the finish gets "dirtied up" easily, which won't be a problem if you wrap them.


I posted on here before I got mine, too, so maybe you could dig up that thread. There are, I think, a few other companies that make a similar variation, which are better looking (but of course, more expensive).

I bought a pair and gave them a shot... I wasn't too happy with them, I'm really really enjoying my new found height for drop bars.

I think I saw some on a website a few months ago, but I can't remember where. SchwinnBikeLove, your fixie doesn't have brakes so it is not an issue for you, but where would one mount brake levers and what kind (scratches head). If I get some they will go on a fixie, also, but I feel more comfortable with brakes. Also I notice yours "point" back. I have never seen them mounted, but I guess I envisioned the bar ends forward (still scratching head). Can someone provide a website where these are available? I know I have seen them, but I can't remember where, and I don't know what they are called.

You need to use mountain-type levers and they mount where the break is on the bars... bascially you put on the grips, then the shifters and last you put on is the brake levers... so they're on the closest part of the bar

Here is an example from REI:

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...8000&langId=-1

I'm happy riding with MTB bars with barends on both my MTB commuter and Trek 520 tourer.

Interesting. I was thinking of aero bar levers plugged into the ends. Do you know what they are called and where they are available?

Edit: OK, never mind, they are at Nashbar, Trekking bar.

Those styles bars seemed to have lots of flex too, imho.. btw.. etc.

Thanks for the opinions guys! Good info. I had not thought about mounting the brake levers etc. I'd have to replace the levers on my road commuter. :(

If you want some other options, look into some of the bars offered by rivendell (www.rivbike.com). They have a mustache bar and a couple other alternate style bars that might catch your eye. All should be compatible with road bike gear.

Worth a look, in any event.

here is what I did. i really like the setup shifting is positive and breaking is powerful.
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...id=11432&stc=1
bike5.JPG

Hi Steve,

Thanks for posting the photo. So, why did you choose the bull-horn handle bars?

they are time trail bars. When I started the project I wanted to use regular drop bars with the bar ends facing straight down. but I could not manage to get them in. I went to the LBS and found these. took some trail and error to get the setup right.

I have bullhorn bars (like SteveKnight's) on my fixed gear commuter. I did it because I liked the look. I did go ahead and put regular barend/aero break levers since I didn't need shifters. I am always playing with my bikes so I may try one of these bars just for the heck of it. Will probably use the bar end brake levers unless another option jumps out at me.

I think the bar end levers would give you a bit better breaking. but all the ones I found they are not comfertable to use. not nice and rounded.

here is the link of REI touring bike use the same bar, sorry for it's not clear, but you get the ideal where to put the brake

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...JPG&view=large

Those bar-ends on bull-horns may pose a danger if you fall.
You sometimes have to cut off a few inches from the ends of drop bars to make room for them, but at least you cant spike your gut.

it's more the curve that won't let a barend in.

Steveknight,
Thanks for the photos, I might set up my bike like yours, did you route you shifter and brake housing inside the handle bars or outside? Why did you turn the brakes around?

everything is outside because the holes were in the wrong place. I turned the brakes around so I could route the housing under the tape. I hear you cna get brakes with the cable housing exits facing the right direction. I did not know about that when I bought the brake levers.

I have a setup very similar to Steveknight's. I did mount the brake levers normally and just let the cables fly in the breeze. It gives me multiple hand positions and keeps my fingertips near the brake levers.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...id=11483&stc=1

Well, it looks like the "bull horns" are quite popular. I may have to try a couple of differnet bars until I find the one I like the best.

Just for reference, the bar shown on my bike is a Profile Design "Stoker 26". They come in a variety of widths to suit your preference. I'm not selling them, nor have I tried any others of that type--I just liked that bar because it did not have any "drop" associated with it. In other words, the bar is level so the forward pointing part is the same height as the cross part. On many of these bars the forward portion is lower, and I prefered a bit more upright position.

Hi, not sure if you can find something like this anymore but i have some old profile aero-bars i got off clearance in a nashbar magazine for 20 bucks, probably 8 years ago.

http://webuser.bus.umich.edu/tle/bike.jpg


It's not the best picture of the bars but it's basicly an extension to bar ends, where they meet in the middle.

I went to a mountain bike for getting around town (college town in michigan) after i crashed my road bike and wanted something a bit more stable for curbs and sidewalks.

My bike is actually getting older so i'm starting to weigh stuff to get a new bike right now but i'm very much considering taking the aerobar off my old bike and put on whatever new mountain bike i get.

No drop 40cm bullies. The narrower, the better, when riding in the city.