View Poll Results: What handlebars are you using?
Voters: 109. You may not vote on this poll
Which handlebars are you using for your commute?
#26
Disco Infiltrator
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I test-rode a Volpe and it had the most stack of any drop-bar bike I've tried. How high are the bars compared to the seat? Also the Tiagra shifters are huge.
#27
Ghost Ryding 24/7
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I use drops. I thought about getting a bike with flat bar or something else for commuting, but ultimately I decided I like the flexibility the drop bars give me on hand positions.
I admin I spend almost all my time on the hoods, but I can move my hands back and forth a bit. I only use the drops occasionally for a fast decent or big headwind.
While on a MUP I might hold the bar a bit for a different position. I have debated getting a set of interrupters (cross brakes) on my new commuter when I get it so that I can ride and still brake in this more upright position - mostly would use when weaving through tourists in the summer. Curious if anyone has experience with these and if they impact overall brake performance or feel.
I admin I spend almost all my time on the hoods, but I can move my hands back and forth a bit. I only use the drops occasionally for a fast decent or big headwind.
While on a MUP I might hold the bar a bit for a different position. I have debated getting a set of interrupters (cross brakes) on my new commuter when I get it so that I can ride and still brake in this more upright position - mostly would use when weaving through tourists in the summer. Curious if anyone has experience with these and if they impact overall brake performance or feel.
Honestly I never use them, I find being on the hoods is hood enough for me on MUP's, & even in traffic. I'll most likely remove them to shave weight.
#29
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I have debated getting a set of interrupters (cross brakes) on my new commuter when I get it so that I can ride and still brake in this more upright position - mostly would use when weaving through tourists in the summer. Curious if anyone has experience with these and if they impact overall brake performance or feel.
H
#30
One Man Fast Brick
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Various bars on various bikes. Most miles are on drop bars. Next most are on VO Postino bars (45deg sweep, zero rise). Next most are on brahma bars. Next are risers.
#31
Senior Member
Salsa Woodchipper, on the Fargo. I had Nashbar's trekking bars on my Rocky Mountain when I commuted on it, but now it is more dedicated to logging road and trail riding so I found a Specialized knock off of Bullmoose bars, which I love.
#32
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I really wanted to like rando bars on my vintage Motobecane because I like the look, but I didn't like the narrower flats.
I do go bar-less on occasion, when I commute on my uni.
I do go bar-less on occasion, when I commute on my uni.
#33
High Plains Luddite
Flat (well, riser) bar on a rigid MTB with Origin 8 Drop Bar Ends. The bar ends are taped make my longer Saturday rides more confortable due to multiple hand positions. I tried regular MTB bar ends that stick up but couldn't find much to like about those, other than a good place to hang my helmet when the bike spends the night in the garage on its kickstand.
#34
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Right now I have risers, but I have a new set of bullhorns I'm putting back on as soon as I get a lever that will fit.
#37
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Voted 'other'; the poll fails to include "flat bars w/bar ends", which to my mind are quite distinct from "flat" as a category.
I use a pretty standard flat bar (600mm/8 degree sweep) with bar-ends and Ergon grips. Have done for years.
Reason 1: I prefer shifting and covering the brakes from "the tops" while in traffic and
Reason 2: I find this set-up more than comfortable/aero enough for me on windy/long/century rides etc.
Reason 3: I don't engage in Cat 6 racing, and I'm too chicken s**t to descend at 70kms/hr, so don't care about 'the drops' for sprinting and descending.
Caveat: I have only one bike. If I do add a second, purposed only for longer distances out of the city, it would have drops/brifters. Just because.
I use a pretty standard flat bar (600mm/8 degree sweep) with bar-ends and Ergon grips. Have done for years.
Reason 1: I prefer shifting and covering the brakes from "the tops" while in traffic and
Reason 2: I find this set-up more than comfortable/aero enough for me on windy/long/century rides etc.
Reason 3: I don't engage in Cat 6 racing, and I'm too chicken s**t to descend at 70kms/hr, so don't care about 'the drops' for sprinting and descending.
Caveat: I have only one bike. If I do add a second, purposed only for longer distances out of the city, it would have drops/brifters. Just because.
#38
multimodal commuter
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For the last year I've been commuting mostly on this old beast, which has a Sturmey Archer hub and the Soma "Lauterwasser" bar. Its shape is somewhere between a mustache bar and a real Lauterwasser bar, which is somewhere between a mustache bar and a track bar.
#39
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
I am usually riding drop bars... when I am not riding no handed.
Last edited by Sixty Fiver; 11-15-13 at 07:37 AM.
#40
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#41
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"Other" - north roads all the way.
#42
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Wow those look amazing on that bike. Does it put you in a semi-upright position?
#43
multimodal commuter
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Thanks! No, I wouldn't call it that. I like my hands a few inches below the saddle, so it's more or less a compromise of all the drop bar positions. A little lower than the top, not quite as far forward as the hoods, not as deep as drops. It's basically a one-position bar with a few good short term variations-- I can get a more upright position by putting my hands at the top (pretty narrow), or for a more dropped position, I can bend my elbows and put my hands all the way forward. It's a good option if you're running an IGH, since it measures 7/8" like an upright bar (you can't put most IGH shifters on most drop bars).
#44
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I use drops. I thought about getting a bike with flat bar or something else for commuting, but ultimately I decided I like the flexibility the drop bars give me on hand positions.
I admin I spend almost all my time on the hoods, but I can move my hands back and forth a bit. I only use the drops occasionally for a fast decent or big headwind.
While on a MUP I might hold the bar a bit for a different position. I have debated getting a set of interrupters (cross brakes) on my new commuter when I get it so that I can ride and still brake in this more upright position - mostly would use when weaving through tourists in the summer. Curious if anyone has experience with these and if they impact overall brake performance or feel.
I admin I spend almost all my time on the hoods, but I can move my hands back and forth a bit. I only use the drops occasionally for a fast decent or big headwind.
While on a MUP I might hold the bar a bit for a different position. I have debated getting a set of interrupters (cross brakes) on my new commuter when I get it so that I can ride and still brake in this more upright position - mostly would use when weaving through tourists in the summer. Curious if anyone has experience with these and if they impact overall brake performance or feel.
I have flatbars on my Surly Ogre for commuting. However, I do prefer inline (interrupter) brakes on my Raleigh Record Ace for the longer distances. I'm like 80% on the hoods anyways.
#45
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
I like the combination of drop bars with interruptor levers... I use these on my XC mountain bike and on the Pugsley.
#46
www.ocrebels.com
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I use Profile drop bars but honestly, in traffic (which is most of the time), I ride the hoods. Very comfortable, no issues.
Rick / OCRR
Rick / OCRR
#47
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I don’t find any of the hand positions on drop bars comfortable in the least of ways. The hoods hurt my hands and wrist, the tops are too narrow, and the drops are only doable for very short durations. However, I like the appearance of drop bars.
Conversely, all the flat bars on my mountain bikes are perfectly adequate even for my longest 200-mile rides and I much prefer trigger shifters over “brifters”.
Conversely, all the flat bars on my mountain bikes are perfectly adequate even for my longest 200-mile rides and I much prefer trigger shifters over “brifters”.
#48
Ghost Ryding 24/7
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#49
Senior Member
I have a set of Gerry Burgess randonneur bars on my main commuter, which I adore. Flipped north roads on my back up bike, but that project is new enough that I don't really have much of an opinion of them.