Reversed Chop & Flop Handlebar
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Reversed Chop & Flop Handlebar
I recently converted an old road bike to a single cog. I wanted to change up the handlebars to something that was a little more upright.
This exact style is on the rear handlebar set of our Burley Softride tandem that we acquired many years ago. I don't know if they came this way from Burley or the previous owner set them up like that.
They have worked out great, very comfortable for multiple hand positions and enables a more upright riding position.
Brake lever is an old Nashbar aero, works great and puts the lever in a perfect position for the left hand.
This exact style is on the rear handlebar set of our Burley Softride tandem that we acquired many years ago. I don't know if they came this way from Burley or the previous owner set them up like that.
They have worked out great, very comfortable for multiple hand positions and enables a more upright riding position.
Brake lever is an old Nashbar aero, works great and puts the lever in a perfect position for the left hand.
Last edited by pcf; 06-26-17 at 02:20 PM.
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Nope.
Been riding since the early 70's, worked in a shop for several years. I've had this PX-10 since '77, it's an early 70's model that I purchased in perfect condition used at a local shop. Dude who owned it never learned to ride it.
I have put thousands of miles on the pictured bike in 10 speed form, including a tour around Lake Michigan in 1978. Phil Wood hubs and bottom bracket since '78, I personally built these wheels with Mavic Module 3 27" rims. Still true almost 4 decades later.
Just converted this to a single cog, I've got a 2 speed SRAM Automatix being built for it now. Plan to use this for a single city bike instead of the tandem my wife and I normally ride.
Been riding since the early 70's, worked in a shop for several years. I've had this PX-10 since '77, it's an early 70's model that I purchased in perfect condition used at a local shop. Dude who owned it never learned to ride it.
I have put thousands of miles on the pictured bike in 10 speed form, including a tour around Lake Michigan in 1978. Phil Wood hubs and bottom bracket since '78, I personally built these wheels with Mavic Module 3 27" rims. Still true almost 4 decades later.
Just converted this to a single cog, I've got a 2 speed SRAM Automatix being built for it now. Plan to use this for a single city bike instead of the tandem my wife and I normally ride.
Last edited by pcf; 06-26-17 at 02:22 PM.
#6
Your cog is slipping.
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Sorry guys, but have any of you tried riding with a handlebar setup like this?
It works pretty well. Compact and it puts the bend into just the right position for your hands.
Clean and minimal.
It works pretty well. Compact and it puts the bend into just the right position for your hands.
Clean and minimal.
Last edited by pcf; 06-27-17 at 07:28 AM.
#9
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
Not much different than the VO Belleville bar, except for the curved end. And that curve looks ergonomically logical. I bet it's super comfortable on the palms and wrists.

#10
C*pt*i* Obvious
I'm old enough to appreciate that kind of bar setup. (my neck and shoulders are not as flexible anymore)
I prefer my bars level with my seat, always have had flat bars, this would be easy enough to experiment with.
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As I get older, it is nice to err on the side of a comfortable, upright riding position that these bars offer.
Last edited by pcf; 06-27-17 at 09:20 AM.
#13
C*pt*i* Obvious
Sure it looks weird, but if your not hitting your knees or creating a hazard of some kind, who cares.
That said, I have no experience with this kind of setup, so I wouldn't know unless I tried it for myself.
That said, I have no experience with this kind of setup, so I wouldn't know unless I tried it for myself.
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You guys might look at this differently if you still ride when you are nearly 60 years old.
And thanks, SHBR, you have brought up a good point. There is no knee interference, even when out of the saddle on a hill climb. In fact, the bars put your body in a powerful position for out of saddle riding.
And thanks, SHBR, you have brought up a good point. There is no knee interference, even when out of the saddle on a hill climb. In fact, the bars put your body in a powerful position for out of saddle riding.
Last edited by pcf; 06-27-17 at 09:46 AM.
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You guys might look at this differently if you still ride when you are nearly 60 years old.
And thanks, SHBR, you have brought up a good point. There is no knee interference, even when out of the saddle on a hill climb. In fact, the bars put your body in a powerful position for out of saddle riding.
And thanks, SHBR, you have brought up a good point. There is no knee interference, even when out of the saddle on a hill climb. In fact, the bars put your body in a powerful position for out of saddle riding.
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Calamari Marionette Ph.D
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If your Burley came like that, the handlebars had been flipped. The bullhorn style is common on roadie tandems.
Still, I see no issue with experimentation.
Still, I see no issue with experimentation.

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These don't strike me as appreciably different from some of the bars you see on some of the older bikes on L'Eroica rides.

What is "normal" is all a matter of perspective.

What is "normal" is all a matter of perspective.
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#23
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
I can say from experience that the arcing high spot in front of the grips, the 'hump', offers a very comfortable additional hand position. It also acts as a great 'hook' to pull on when climbing or acceleration when out of the saddle. That's why I wrap my bars even though it's totally unconventional.
