TomCat_Ford

Hey folks,

I'm curious about whether or not others are running more than one set of bar ends on their flat-bar hybrids. As of right now, I only have the factory bar ends installed on my Giant Rapid. I have been considering going with some Origin 8 drop-bar bar ends for a few more hand positions. I find myself using my bar ends at least 65% of the time on my longer rides, but my hands start getting a little tingly around the 30 mile mark (sometimes).

In order to get a few more positions, I was thinking about doing the following:

-Move shifters, brake levers, and grips inward
-Install drop-bar bar ends
-Install factory bar ends on the outside

Has anyone done this, or should I just install the drop-bar bar ends and call it good? My thought is that having the factory bar ends gives me one more hand position, which seems like it would be a plus. There appears to be more than enough real estate on my handlebars to install both bar ends.

Thanks in advance,


-Tom

no1mad 

I've read accounts where people who tried those Origin 8 drop ends, they either hated them or converted over to drop bars altogether in short order. That being said, I too have toyed with the idea of using two different bar ends at the same time. My concept would require a new, flatter bar (mine has too much bend/sweep):

-Move the current ones inboard of all of the controls.
-Then mount something like the Cane Creek Ergo II's at the end of the bars.

That would give me a narrow profile to kinda cheat the wind a bit, as well as another position that replicates the hoods of a wide drop bar.

TomCat_Ford

I figure for the price, the drop-bar bar ends are worth a shot. I'm not entirely sure that I want a drop-bar bike at this point, so this would help me get my feet wet. That said, my bar doesn't have any bend to it, it's just a basic flat bar (thankfully).

Your idea sounds like a good one, too. I think I read about a similar setup on Sheldon Brown's site last summer when I was browsing that site.

PatrickGSR94

What about putting the drop bar ends in between your grips and controls? That would get you a narrower stance closer to that of actual drop bars. I think drop bar ends outside of your grips would be way too far apart.

TomCat_Ford

That's a good thought--there certainly are a lot of different options!

With that being said, I did go ahead and order the bar ends and some bar tape. Paid a little over $30 for both, so the order wasn't too hard on my cycling budget. I bought some cycling shoes and cleats last week, though, so I need to watch what I spend. Soon enough, I'll be getting the evil eye from my fiancee!

TomCat_Ford

Since it's so hot out today (90's and humid), the bike isn't leaving the house. I ended up going over the bike since she's almost to the 500 mile mark. I cleaned and lubed the chain (I do this every 100-150miles), re-greased the front wheel bearing, made a couple of minor cable adjustments, etc. I also got my new FSA seat post today. The factory seat post was offset and also had a fixed pitch angle. The new one is 0 offset and has a two-bolt pitch adjustment (I love those setups, have one on my MTB). The offset seat post was causing me to ride too far forward on the saddle, but the new one seems to be prefect.

That being said, I also did some more thinking about where to put the new bar ends. After taking some measurements, I'm thinking that if I put them between the grips and the controls, my stance will be far too narrow (about 4" narrower than the width of my shoulders). They will be wider than my shoulders if I put them between the factory bar ends and my grips, but I think the positioning will be more comfortable.

I'm really looking forward to those arriving! I did a couple of 30 mile rides this past week, and I am about ready to step up the distance. The second ride was on a windy day--those drop-bar bar ends would really have helped!

Igo

I never use the bar ends that I have.

PatrickGSR94

I barely used my bar ends when they were out on the ends of my handlebars. I moved them last night to between grips and controls and they seem MUCH more useful and comfortable to me now.

TomCat_Ford

I saw that in your thread, glad the setup is working well for you. The reason I think I will be more comfortable with them further out is because I'm very comfortable riding on the factory bar ends now.

LesterOfPuppets

I dunno how I'd feel about riding in the drops when they don't have brake levers on 'em.

I do run two sets of barends, though. The inner set acts as a sleeping bag rack for touring and I often hang my lock on 'em when riding around town.

luxo

At least they look cool on your Escape.

Igo

LOL.
Well, actually, I'm heading to REI today to pick up a set of these. I think I'll get more use out of these.

luxo

Hmm, I have no experience with those types of bar ends. Aren't they too stubby?

David Bierbaum

I don't know why, but when I read the title of this thread, my imagination conjured up a picture of bar ends on bar ends for a result that looks more like a deer's antlers than a handlebar!

With Ergon, you can get something that is more of a "bar end" on the end of the grip, if you go with the GP3.

Igo

Negative. Your palm ball still rests on the grip and you have 3 fingers on the bar end instead of reaching outward to wrap your entire hand around the bar end, That is why I'm buying a set today.
I also ordered Kool Stop Salmon brake shoes for my commuter to day as well. That should finish this bike.

Igo

I just finished installing the Ergon GP2 Bar Ends. (see post 12) and they are nice. A lot more surfave area for your palms and when you want to cgange hand position you just lay your thumb across the top of the grips and wrap your finger around the ends. Very cozy and closer to where you are. I was also able to saw 1 inch total off the bars to bring them in a touch. I like that too. Almost finished with this bike.

Paul Barnard

I have the drop bar ends on my commuter and love them. Someone asked why not just go with a drop bar bike? There are two reasons. If you already have a flat bar bike the drop bar ends cost 20 bucks whereas a drop bar conversion would cost appreciably more. Another advantage of the drop bar ends is that when you are riding in traffic you tend to want to sit up for a better vantage point. It's nice to have the controls on the flats for urban riding.

TomCat_Ford

I suspect that I will like mine for the same reasons. Thanks.

TomCat_Ford

The bar ends came today, and thankfully I have today off! My plan to use both sets of bar ends didn't work out very well. When I tried setting it up, I did not have enough room for my light (the gear indicator hit it). The good news is that I will probably be fine without the factory bar ends. My bar tape wrap job isn't the greatest, but this was my first time doing it. So all things considered, it doesn't look too shabby.

I took the bike out for a quick spin around my driveway a few times to test the positions, and I think I'm really going to like these bar ends. It is currently in the mid 90's, humid, and a little windy, so there is no way that I will be able take it out for a ride just yet. I also went out for a ride early this morning before the temps got too high. I will post back once I have gotten a good chance to test them out. There's still a chance that I might venture out today, but we'll see how much the temp drops.

PatrickGSR94

Cool, though it still seems like they'll be too far apart out there at the ends. Did you try putting them between handlebar grips and your controls? Or would they not work in that location?

TomCat_Ford

I didn't try it, but I'm almost positive that they won't work there because they will interfere with the brake levers. I still think that would be too narrow, as well. I liked the factory bar ends where they were, so I think the same will be true for these bar ends.

I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that it cools down a bit before dark!

PatrickGSR94

Gotcha, my bar ends inboard of my grips are pretty much exactly shoulder width apart, but my bars may be wider than yours.

tahoe_girl

I'm curious on how these drop bar ends held up on a longer ride. About a month ago I bought a '12 Trek 7.6 and though I love the bike itself, I was looking at doing the drop conversion for extra hand positions. I will be attempting my first century in September on this new bike, but I didn't go with a drop/road bike because my weekly commute is about 100+ miles and I find myself in a variety of differant scenarios (off road, bike path, bike lane on the highway, through neighborhoods with stop signs/lights, etc). For the price of the drop bar ends, I think I may give them a shot. Did they hold up in good shape on the longer rides?

TomCat_Ford

Yeah, according to my measurements, I'd be narrower than my shoulders if I could even mount them there.You definitely cannot beat the price!

I just installed them today, so I have not yet had a chance to take them out for a long ride--too hot! I'll definitely report back on how they do over longer distances, though.

With that being said, I did get a chance to go out for a ride tonight before it got too dark. It was still 90 degrees, but I really wanted to try the bar ends. I went for a fast-paced 10 mile ride (18mph average speed), and so far, I really like the bar ends. The lower position is comfortable and noticeably more efficient. My ride tonight had two moderate climbs and several small climbs, but no out-of-the-saddle climbs (did that this morning, been working on my climbing this week). The only downside I see so far is that when riding on the top of them, I feel a lot more road vibration than I did with my old bar ends. I'm happy thus far, though. I want to try to get a 30 mile ride in this weekend, so we'll see how they work on longer rides. Not sure if I will be able to ride tomorrow or not yet.

Good luck with the century ride, by the way!

tahoe_girl

Do you think if I add double bar tape that will help with the vibrations?