I have a 2005 Kona Caldera I've transformed into a commuting/utility bike. I've changed the fork out for a 100mm Surly 1x1, put a VO touring seat on it, added PB fenders, put a Sunlite/Nashbar front rack on it, and carry stuff in a Nelson Longflap.

It has the stock Truvativ riser bars. I think I'd like a more comfortable commuting handlebar, and have narrowed it down to these two:

Velo Orange Milan bar

Velo Orange Trekking bar

You can see pictures of my current set-up in post #704 here.

I'm looking for opinions... please share your thoughts...

I used to have a Kona Caldera, and it was a great bike.

Out of those two bars, I'd go with the Trekking ones for more hand positions.

I hate flat bars with a passion, so anything else will be a step up. Have you considered North Road bars?

- Scott

I have a Kona Dew with the Kona Riser bars, which I assume are similar to those on your Caldera. I had been thinking trekking bars as well, but yesterday put on some Ergon GX2 grips. The bar-ends provide another nice hand position, and so far I love them. I know you asked for opinions on new handlebars, and this may not be what you were asking, but I thought I would throw it out there anyway.

Those look nice, but I'm looking for a more natural hand position more than anything.

Whatever bars I put on there, I don't want to lose much, if any, off road capability. If I do any trail-based touring/camping, this will be my ride.

I have riser bars with Cane Creek bar ends. Couldn't be happier. They give me 3 additional hand positions. Trekking bars are fugly, but some people seem to like them. Ergon bar ends are good, but a little too large for my liking.

I switched from risers to north road bars on my commuter and am more than happy with the setup. They're a bit more swept back than the Milan bars, and as such the basic riding position is really comfortable on your wrists. You can also slide forward onto the front curves or even the flat central section for headwinds. I've seen them mounted upside down as well for a more agressive position.

I switched from MTB flats to On-One Mary's. Very good neutral hand position.

Ergon GC3 grip/bar-end combo is simpler , than the Trekking bar setup,
but I like the trekking bars, I have 2 on different bikes. [neither from VO]

Kalloy and Nashbar and several others rebrand the same part.

ITM, of Italy, made mine. variations, 3 different types..

2 I got from Wall Bike, their stock was limited.

I've thought about getting some of those bar ends (or similar knock off), but not sure how they would get along with my Ergon grips.

Of course, I've also thought about the trekking bars if for no other reason than the ability of mounting lights on the far end so the cables from the near side won't create shadows...

I hadn't considered this...

From the beginning I was leaning toward the Velo Orange Milan bars. I liked the more neutral hand position. It's a commuting/utility bike, not a touring bike, so having a plethora of hand positions wasn't as important to me. I also wanted to keep my levers/shifters about where they are in relation to the stem so I didn't have to fiddle with finding a new stem length. With the Milan bars I realize my hands may be marginally closer, but the rise is about the same. I also realize the cables may continue to cast a shadow when I riding in the dark (about half my riding is after dark). I've been tolerating it on this bike for 4,500+ miles, so I imagine I should be able to continue to tolerate it.

A couple days ago I looked around on-line and found the Milan bars for $22 with free shipping and a 10% discount. I ordered them; total cost was $19.80. For less than $20, I figured I couldn't go wrong.

I agree hopperja,
For $20.00 or less they're well worth a try. I too am looking to get away from flat bars on my commute bike; but I'm looking for more of a bull-horn bar (like sometimes seen on fixed gear bikes) which will give me a more aero (and less up-right) riding position. Problem is, my shifter is Shimano's version of a Grip-shift (for Nexus 8 speed. internal gear hub) and I'm not sure that would mount on a bull horn type bar.

Plus, my bike is DaHon Curve folder, so the bars would have to be positionable so that they'd stow well when the bike is folded. So . . . anyone know where I can get some cheap bull-horns (steel of course) for a 1" (25.4mm) stem mount diameter? I'll check out the fixie sites . . .

Rick / OCRR

Albatross!

although you could buy 3 of the ones you are looking at for the price of one. But...i do love mine and I too hate flat bars with a passion.

I've got trekking bars on my Surly and really like 'em. They're actually the same Kalloy ones on VO, just in black. I had them on my old hyrid, too... they migrated with some other parts to the LHT when I built it up. I've toyed with the idea of buying the components to try a drop bar setup, but it's not b/c I don't like my trekking bars.

My vote out of the two options: trekking.

BTW, they are not fugly. My bike takes umbrage.

Kalloy trekking bars are a $20 part too..
the figure 8 bend is such that there are a lot of hand-positions
including places where, if bar ends, the clamp for the bar end interferes.

a 10: and 2: position , kind of like a steering wheel , is often where I grip .

'no1mad', newer designs, like Ergon/s GC3 integrates grip and bar end ,
to completely replace the ones you got before..

I'm a big fan of the Jeff Jones H-Bar (I use the "loop" version). Titec has a cheaper version that they produce under license from Jeff.

The hand position is very neutral, and the bars give tremendous control and neutral handling and climbing. Plus, the bars offer many hand positions, excellent mounting options (for accessories) and are very strong.