Has Anyone Ever Installed Bar Ends On Their Bar Ends?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Has Anyone Ever Installed Bar Ends On Their Bar Ends?
Here is a weird looking set or handlebars for you. Has anyone ever installed bar ends on their bar ends and in the " opposite than usual direction " so you can sit more upright and have four possible grips? I padded it all with yoga mat and electrical tape and then went over it with bar tape and absolutely love it. Yeah it looks super weird but whatever LOL.
Edit: it probably should have explained the main reason I'm doing this before I posted. I'm having nerve issues with my left hand and arm where it goes numb after riding for only a couple of minutes and even if I barely grip the handlebars. Sometimes I wake up in pain even though I adjusted the way I sleep . It's been an on and off issue that I need to get checked out. I did this not only to sit more upright but so I can have multiple grip positions with different angles of my hand to switch between depending on how I'm feeling and so far it has worked.


Edit: it probably should have explained the main reason I'm doing this before I posted. I'm having nerve issues with my left hand and arm where it goes numb after riding for only a couple of minutes and even if I barely grip the handlebars. Sometimes I wake up in pain even though I adjusted the way I sleep . It's been an on and off issue that I need to get checked out. I did this not only to sit more upright but so I can have multiple grip positions with different angles of my hand to switch between depending on how I'm feeling and so far it has worked.



Last edited by Straightbangin; 02-15-22 at 04:43 PM.
Likes For Straightbangin:
#2
Guest
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,888
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1346 Post(s)
Liked 3,269 Times
in
1,439 Posts
Looks like a long reach to the levers, not that the front brake is hooked up anyway.
Likes For Rolla:
Likes For woodcraft:
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 13,446
Mentioned: 32 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4014 Post(s)
Liked 2,770 Times
in
1,673 Posts
I guess maybe if it's all clamped down well it'd be fine, but it just looks like there are too many opportunities for things to slip there for me to ride comfortably. At that point, why not get some drop bars and flip them over (even better with Scott Drop Ins from the 90's).
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,255
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6498 Post(s)
Liked 10,142 Times
in
4,345 Posts
If you need that in order to ride the bike comfortably...You just need a different bike.
#7
Sr Member on Sr bikes
Those pics need to be posted in the Bike Gore thread.
Dan
Dan
Likes For _ForceD_:
#8
Senior Member
This is a safety issue, not a comfort issue. Bar end extensions should be installed facing forward at a rise of 20-30 degrees above parallel to the ground maximum. Never straight up, and certainly not stacked straight up.
The reasoning is: If you wind up being separated from your bike while riding - say a car t-bones you at an intersection, or you hit a bump and go flying - the chances of severe injury from being impaled or struck from the side by a bar end extension are better the more they stick up. Don't forget, you're adding your already forward kinetic motion to that contact, and it won't be pretty.
Facing forward or nearly so, those risks go way down, as the chances of contact at that angle are lower. You'd have to be leaning way forward while riding to get the same contact in that position, and most people don't ride that way.
It's your choice, but I wouldn't risk it.
The reasoning is: If you wind up being separated from your bike while riding - say a car t-bones you at an intersection, or you hit a bump and go flying - the chances of severe injury from being impaled or struck from the side by a bar end extension are better the more they stick up. Don't forget, you're adding your already forward kinetic motion to that contact, and it won't be pretty.
Facing forward or nearly so, those risks go way down, as the chances of contact at that angle are lower. You'd have to be leaning way forward while riding to get the same contact in that position, and most people don't ride that way.
It's your choice, but I wouldn't risk it.
Likes For bargainguy:
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 4,944
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1467 Post(s)
Liked 992 Times
in
507 Posts
To answer the op's question, why yes ... yes people have. Several examples on display in BSNYC's one-off competition, some years back. By the way, the pics provide ample evidence that 'drop bars'™ are no impediment to either or both of lunacy and bad taste when it comes to bike set-up.
Bike Snob NYC: The First (and Last) Annual BSNYC/RTMS Cockpit of the Year Award: The Finalists
Bike Snob NYC: The First (and Last) Annual BSNYC/RTMS Cockpit of the Year Award: The Finalists
Likes For badger1:
#10
Coffee Groundskeeper
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 1,762
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1417 Post(s)
Liked 1,167 Times
in
799 Posts
As others stated above, I'd be concerned one of the joints might slip on that multi-extension set-up. Suggestion is to go to a bike shop and see if you can get some BMX-style riser bars that are high enough for you, then put the extensions on the risers if needing an intermediate or higher grip area for more upright riding. I know you can get 4 inch risers, maybe as high as 6 inches. Get some new brake cables too, as you'll probably need to replace those if using riser bars.
Likes For skidder:
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,688
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1074 Post(s)
Liked 294 Times
in
221 Posts
I believe there’s even a fairly accepted ”name” for that kind of contraptions - antler, or antlered bars.
Never stuck bar ends to bar ends myself. But I did consider doing it once as a test set up to see if Butterfly bars were something I might like.
I wouldn’t do that upright thing though.
Personal adaptation of a bike is OK, almost required. But such a big mod is good indicator that the rider is using the wrong bike for the task:
Never stuck bar ends to bar ends myself. But I did consider doing it once as a test set up to see if Butterfly bars were something I might like.
I wouldn’t do that upright thing though.
Personal adaptation of a bike is OK, almost required. But such a big mod is good indicator that the rider is using the wrong bike for the task:
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 13,446
Mentioned: 32 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4014 Post(s)
Liked 2,770 Times
in
1,673 Posts
As others stated above, I'd be concerned one of the joints might slip on that multi-extension set-up. Suggestion is to go to a bike shop and see if you can get some BMX-style riser bars that are high enough for you, then put the extensions on the risers if needing an intermediate or higher grip area for more upright riding. I know you can get 4 inch risers, maybe as high as 6 inches. Get some new brake cables too, as you'll probably need to replace those if using riser bars.

Likes For himespau:
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,601
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 575 Post(s)
Liked 908 Times
in
515 Posts
That's awful. Please put a NSFL tag next time you post a picture of those grotesque antlers 
Just kidding, sort of.
A setup like that (or really any arrangement where parts are used in a nonstandard way to change the fit) is an indicator that you have a bike that does not fit, or perhaps the wrong kind of bike.
There is nothing wrong with an upright riding position, and just about any bike can be set up that way... but not like that. A better solution would be a 'riser' or BMX handlebar and/or high-rise stem so your hands are positioned on handlebar grips as intended, and so the controls are close to your hands.
Anyhoo, please ignore me if you are comfortable riding it - that's really all that matters - but I am 100% positive that you can easily recreate your riding position with ergonomics far superior than using upright bar ends as your primary handlebar.

Just kidding, sort of.
A setup like that (or really any arrangement where parts are used in a nonstandard way to change the fit) is an indicator that you have a bike that does not fit, or perhaps the wrong kind of bike.
There is nothing wrong with an upright riding position, and just about any bike can be set up that way... but not like that. A better solution would be a 'riser' or BMX handlebar and/or high-rise stem so your hands are positioned on handlebar grips as intended, and so the controls are close to your hands.
Anyhoo, please ignore me if you are comfortable riding it - that's really all that matters - but I am 100% positive that you can easily recreate your riding position with ergonomics far superior than using upright bar ends as your primary handlebar.
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
True. I keep my hands by the front break if I'm not crushing a bike bath or am manuvering around things and need better control. Yeah I still need to get to that damn front break LOL. I hate adjusting brakes
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Relaxing and easy. The further down I go the more control though obviously. I've been having nerve issues with my left hand where things start to go numb after only a couple of minutes of riding so that's the main reason I did this. It has fixed the issue lately
Likes For Straightbangin:
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I guess maybe if it's all clamped down well it'd be fine, but it just looks like there are too many opportunities for things to slip there for me to ride comfortably. At that point, why not get some drop bars and flip them over (even better with Scott Drop Ins from the 90's).
They probably should have started off explaining that in the first post. Editing it to do so.
#18
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 12,432
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 52 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3915 Post(s)
Liked 3,380 Times
in
2,270 Posts
The lovely thing about bike fitters is they can help with body pain as they have studied it. A multi position bar isn't a bad thing but going absolutely crazy putting bar ends on bar ends sounds like a desperate cry for needing a fit.
#19
• —
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Land of Pleasant Living
Posts: 11,566
Bikes: Shmikes
Mentioned: 58 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9590 Post(s)
Liked 5,369 Times
in
2,884 Posts
Likes For MoAlpha:
#20
Advanced Slacker
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,042
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2684 Post(s)
Liked 2,430 Times
in
1,368 Posts

Likes For Kapusta:
#21
ignominious poltroon
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 3,418
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1915 Post(s)
Liked 2,868 Times
in
1,522 Posts
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,383
Mentioned: 67 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2975 Post(s)
Liked 2,257 Times
in
1,363 Posts
I've got barcons installed on the barends of most of my bikes. Does that count?
#24
Guest
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,888
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1346 Post(s)
Liked 3,269 Times
in
1,439 Posts
Likes For Rolla:
#25
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,267
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 300 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25359 Post(s)
Liked 9,274 Times
in
6,458 Posts
.
...if you are trying to take the weight off your hands, there are safer ways to do it.
There are a lot of bad habits that can lead to pain in your hands, including gripping the bar too tightly, and positioning your hands so they are cocked back at an angle, impinging on the nerves and ligaments where they run through the carpel spaces in your wrists. The suggestion that you might need someone who knows about this stuff, to look at your positioning and fit on the bicycle has merit.
Sometimes, the answer can be a simple as changing your saddle tilt to take weight off your hands, and get a more neutral body position. But it you're happy with what you've achieved in that photo, party on.
...if you are trying to take the weight off your hands, there are safer ways to do it.
There are a lot of bad habits that can lead to pain in your hands, including gripping the bar too tightly, and positioning your hands so they are cocked back at an angle, impinging on the nerves and ligaments where they run through the carpel spaces in your wrists. The suggestion that you might need someone who knows about this stuff, to look at your positioning and fit on the bicycle has merit.
Sometimes, the answer can be a simple as changing your saddle tilt to take weight off your hands, and get a more neutral body position. But it you're happy with what you've achieved in that photo, party on.
__________________