JoeOxfordCT

Hi All,

I've been contemplating changing to a traditional type drop bar and was intrigued by some of the pics in this recent thread:

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/371736-post-your-classic-bend-handlebars.html

I had tried traditional drop bars before but being primarily a hoods type of rider I could never get comfortable with the steep ramps on most traditional drop bars. What I like about the traditional drop bars is the actual drops where it seems like you can have multiple hand positions just in the drops. I'm running Bontrager Race flat top bars now and love the tops but not the ergo style drops.

The Nitto bars look to me to be the best of both worlds as they offer both a flat top section while still giving you a traditional style drop. The tops being flared back also seem like they might be a little more comfortable than just a straight section.




My questions are these:

Anyone offer any general feedback on the bars themselves.
Is the Soba which has the same shape as the Noodle but in one piece, worth the extra $$ ?
Are either of these bars significantly heavier enough than other all aluminum bars to be a concern ?

Any pics of your Nitto bars would be appreciated too !

Thanks,

J.

JackJ

I've got the Soba and like it a lot, especially for the flat ramps and rounded drops. Definitely the most comfortable bar I've ever ridden. I chose it over the Noodle to save weight, and because bars with center sleeves sometimes develop annoying creaks which, while not a safety concern for Nittos, annoy me. However, there are ways to eliminate the creak.

I didn't weigh my Soba, but I believe Rivendell has published the weight. It's certainly not significant to me, and I have greater confidence in any Nitto product than I do in the superlight wares from other manufacturers.

Is the Soba perfect? No--I don't care for the backward sweep much. It's neither more nor less comfortable for me than straight tops, but it does change the reach a bit, so now I wish I had a 1 cm shorter stem. I would also like a bit more downward angle to the drops. If using a quill stem, it doesn't look right to me unless the upper ramps parallel the stem, but at that angle on the Soba, the drops slope down only slightly. Finally, I'd prefer a bit (1 cm) deeper drop. But I'm being very picky here. I'm building up a new frame soon, and will be installing another Soba. I like it a lot.

Jack

JoeOxfordCT

I don't understand this point.....if the bars sweep backward towards the rider then wouldn't you want a slightly longer stem to compensate ? All of your other points only seem to reinforce my positive image of the bars....

Got any pics of the bars on your bike ?

Just curious......most likely will pull the trigger on a set of Sobas once the financial carnage from the holidays settles....

roadfix

I have the Noodle on my single speed road bike. I like them.

rufvelo

I always used Cinelli 66-46 until I tried Nitto - the finish is so much better!

marqueemoon

I hate the "Noodle" name (they're 177's), but I have two in 46cm and like them quite a bit. No creaking yet.

JoeOxfordCT

Link please ?

Can't seem to find one with the weight listed......

Doesn't have to be the lightest bar on the market, but I hope it's at least in the ballpark..
....can't put a price...or weight on comfort...

JoeOxfordCT

Found this link from SmartBikeParts.com that lists the weight of 44cm Noodles as 340grams...

https://smartbikeparts.com/search_details.php?itm=HB1026

Still trying to figure out how much light a set of Sobas in the same size would be.....

FrankBattle 

I [now] hate weight weenies.

I just bought the Nitto Noodle bars. Haven't put them on yet as it's going on my in-prgress winter build. But I love the look. I love the curves. I love the drop. I have the 46cm, so I LOVE the width. I love the finish. I LOVE the price ..

Don't know what it weighs and I've had it for over a month. I can't wait till spring.

rufvelo

Love the finish too!

JoeOxfordCT

Love the curves....

Mr. Fly

On the weight of the Soba handlebar, mine is a 46cm and does not feel any different than my ITM Pro260, which is purported to weigh 260g. Although I don't have a scale to verify its weight, I am sure my ITM does not weigh 260g since their supposedly lighter "215" model weighed ~250g when I weighed a few copies many years ago. Rivendell did weigh the Soba handlebar when it was first introduced, and they're officially sub-300g.

Regardless of their weight, the Nitto Soba/Noodle bars are quite fantastic in feel and simply exquisite in looks. For my non-racing bicycles, they are the choice.

markwebb

I have the Nitto Noodle 46 size on both my bikes. When I switched to the Noodle bars I noticed a bifg difference in lower back fatigue after long rides of 50+ MILES - I felt much better. I also went with a higher Nitto stem and got bars even with seat, too.

JoeOxfordCT

....they're not for your racing bikes why ? Just curious....purely a weight issue ?

grahny

Love the noodles... and they are on a racing bike that isn't raced

https://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.p...86&postcount=7

JoeOxfordCT

That thread prompted mine...

What kind of bar tape are you running in that pic ?

My own personal taste only...I would tilt your bars up just a smidge...
I like my tops parallel to the ground...drops can be a little slanted...
Nice bike either way...

FrankBattle 

Is it about taste or comfort?

That tape is nice though .. I wonder if it comes in brown (or the leather look).

grahny

That's stella azzurra eleganza something or other bar tape, which I didn't like - looks cool though. I went back to cork tape after that... and the bars are actually a little tilted up now (they work well that way with campy hoods)

Some other pics from an old thread:

https://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.p...2&postcount=27

JoeOxfordCT

Nice tape job ! ...wish mine all came out that clean...I'm getting better though...

grahny

Some other noodle pics off my fixed gear:

https://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.p...&postcount=397

JoeOxfordCT

Nice pics...ugly garage door....j/k

Going back to your Cervelo pics....is it just your pictures or do the Noodles flare downwards slightly from the stem to the curve by the hood ?

Mr. Fly

For me, the one distinct and significant feature that the Soba/Noodle bar has over other bars is the flatness of the hoods when used with Ergopower or STI. Yes, the finish and reliability are top-notch but I really love how there is so much space on that bar offering slip-free hand positioning.

When racing, comfort on the hoods is irrelevant because I spend so much time in the drops. Noodle/Soba bars, in the drops, aren't terribly different than most classic bend bars. Also, when racing, an easy 100+g advantage (difference between my "light" Soba and my Easton carbon handlebar) sometimes cannot be ignored.

Note: please take that last sentence in context, which is the advantage is only part of the larger weight difference of the entire package. Of course, I understand that 100g is not going to win races but 4lbs might.

JoeOxfordCT

Fair points all...

Thanks for clarifying....

Let me followup with this then...
Do you run your bars at a different height between your racing/non-racing bikes ?

My other quest in my "great handlebar search" is to be more comfortable in, and spend more time in the drops. Here are the issues involved:

Part A - Not really happy with the shape of my current ergo drops...
Solution, get different bar with more grip options in the drops.

Part B - Perhaps raise overall bar height so being in the drops for extended periods of time won't seem so uncomfortable. The tops of my current bars are 2 1/2" below my seat.....I'd like to keep this differential unless absolutely necessary......will have to force myself to spend time in the drops with the new bar before moving this. Trouble is most of the time I ride solo so I naturally gravitate towards riding the hoods.

grahny

The top curve towards the hood is fairly flat, but does flare downward slightly. It's not enough to cause that typical 'valley' you see with a lot of bars though.

Mr. Fly

Yes. The handlebar for my racing bikes are set significantly lower than non-racing bikes. They're typically 3 or 4" below saddle height versus about level with the saddle.