I'm in the process of putting together a Cross Check build I will use primarily for commuting, road and dirtl road riding. I intend to ride longer distances including centuries when I can't hit the trails due to mud and such. At somepoint I may get a set of wider wheels and hit the trails with some 700x45's but not for a while and only occasionally.

I really don't like craning my neck from the drops of a traditional drop bar and am considering either a Midge or Randonneur for the bars. I plan on setting up the flat of the bar about level with my seat so the drops will be a bit lower. I figure this will yield a pretty comfy position.

I'm just wondering which bar is for me? Any suggestions or experiences with either of these?


Thanks,


Red

I've used both, I'd go with the midge if you plan to do any off road riding. They are much wider than the randonneurs. I found the hood position on the randonneurs to be too narrow for me. For road riding I actually prefer a 44 nitto noodle over both of them. It is super comfortable on the hoods and in the drops.

I think for the midge bars to work well you want to set them up so you are riding in the drops most of the time. Otherwise they are sort of pointless. To do this you usually need to have some combination of high stem and lots of spacers. Look up some mountain bike setups that use them, you'll get the idea. I think if you position them as most people use normal road drops (hoods being the primary riding position), they don't work that well.

I'm leaning toward the Midge for sure. I did an MTB ride yesterday with a guy who has an Origin 8 Gary bar which are very similar to the Midge (but not bar end shifterable) and liked the feel of them.

I should be able to complete the build just in time for the heart of mud season so I'll be able to put on a lot of backroad miles. Can't wait!

I've had both Randos and Midge bars on my fixed gear cross check. Used in every imaginable situation, commuting, trail riding, day touring.

Hands down, I'll take the Midge. I like the outward flare of the drops. One thing that makes the Midges really functional is to jack them up as high as possible.



Some have commented that I've got them rotated to much, but I like ability to lean into the the hoods or drops as I choose.

I also run a set on my geared Cross Check

I like the nitto rando bars, they're basically like the midge bars but less so. 46cm = wide but less than midge, downward and outward flare, good for my wrists, but less than midge gives.

Nitto Randos are too narrow for me, especially off the pavement. I've just bought Salsa Woodchippers for my allroad ride. Nice and wide on top and flared in the drops.

Man... I forgot about those. I wasn't sure when they were coming out. Still leaning towards the Midge, though.

Thanks for all the replies.