I recently completed a nice new build (Keirin track frame), and I am finding the sexy track drops to be fairly uncomfortable and slightly sketchy, particularly in NYC. Thinking of switching to riser bars to elevate my style slightly in traffic and make the ride more comfortable.

Seems a shame to throw riser bars on this bike, but I think comfort, practicality, and safety may win over aesthetics.

Anyone on the forums use riser bars - or have pictures of their set-up? I have seen just a few on FGG and here. I have also read a few previous threads, but nothing seemed too concrete.

Opinions welcome, obviously, thanks in advance.

i think you should go with bullhorns, just as sexy, but don't chaop those track drops.

find some cheap road drops and chop them or just go out and buy some bullhorns.

i know a few ppl who have risers and seem to love them. but i've never used them

myself

-me

Bullhorns are an option as well. Not gonna chop my drops.

I love both risers and drops. I used to use a set of nitto deep drops, but switched to some risers the other day...i find that skidding takes a little more getting used too, but i don't ever skid anyway (the only reason you should be skidding is when you are just ****ing around. unnecessary, and not all it's cracked up to be). i do find myself missing both the drops and sides (where the hoods would be). I like the position where risers put my hands, as that is where i usually ride the drops anyway. but again, you're talking about a way slicker bike than mine...just get a set of narrow drops. they're sexy, so they win. no pictures, cause i can't do it.

-jason

risers with bar ends, do the unacceptable!!!!

cheap risers with oury grips sooooo comfortable.

i say give the risers a try. i like the way a narrower, not too narrow, set of riser bars look on a track frame. some are tooo wide tho, narrower are more practical for city riding anyway. you can always switch back to the drops.

Yeah, just try out some cheap risers. The hacksaw is your friend.

Do you have brakes? If not, you should set up a number of different bar/stem combinations that you can change according to your daily whims.

Yes, it's a possibility I've thought about.

i ride track drops with a pretty substantial drop (saddle height to bars). recentlycut down some titec hellbent risers. i've tried to switch them into the set-up twicw now and it actually feels less safe in traffic to me.i'm going to keep them though, mated to a stem, cause like someone above said, switching out a bar/stem combo takes 2 seconds if you ain't runnin a stopper.

Not a bad idea. Brakeless, but thinking about going back to brakes - brakeless in Manhattan remains an advanced maneuver.

Really narrow risers with a 58 degree Nitto stem is where it's at.

i have a cut down set of polished nashbar risers you're welcome to if you'd like them. the ride is comfortably higher, and feels a little more "sedate," and i also found you had a little more leg-brake action going on as your COG was further back, not to mention kerb-hops etc being easier.

when i went threadless i went back to drops, and since switching is no longer the piece of cake it was with the threadless stem, drops it stays. they're yours to try out and keep if you like though.

risers rule .. really

thanks eddie, you got mail.

anyone with photos of their setup w/ risers?

i love my risers.

http://www.pumaville.com/messenger/images/1_lg.jpg

that's how it'll look (that's puma guy, not me obviously)

mine are polished and about that wide

hells.

actually, i switched to flat bars on my track bike and am liking them better than the risers. whatevs. if i found some silver risers with like 1/2" rise i'd switch back, though.

I suggest moustache bars. They'll put you more upright than the drops, give more hand positions than the risers and you won't have to chop them.

I second on the Moustache,,and Nashbar's got em for $10 this week

heh... moustache ride....

Do you wear $400 mountain jackets when frequenting coffee chains? Are you the skier with the most amazing equipment, who stays home when it dips below 30 degrees?

Congratulations, you've joined the Extreme Consumer Club!! You buy things made for extreme conditions yet use them for the most plainly normal activities. Your bicycle will stand up there on the NYC streets right next to all those Hummers, as being completely out-of-place.

Why acquire a KEIRIN TRACK frame to put risers on it? You are defying every pedigree with which the machine was constructed. While your bicycle looks the part, it seems as if you can't endure your end, which is putting up with the positioning on a track bicycle. And, if you really were concerned with safety there is no question you'd have a brake on in a city like NYC. I don't care even if it is flat; velodromes don't have cabs, construction trucks and pedestrians.

Way to go! Enjoy your new, comfortable handlebars.

yeah guys! stop enjoying your bikes! IDIOTS!

Why ride a track frame on the street? Talk about defying the pedigree...

Not sure about your point (a overbuilt military-grade Hummer and an overbuilt bike or North Face jacket are seperate animals), but I bought a used Keirin frame because it was a great deal the less than the cost of a new frame and fit my short legs - just never rode drops before on my old setup (was bullhorns).

Unfortunately, you are correct about brakes in NYC.

Here is my ride with my favorite bars Salsa chromo made by Nitto! Stell mmmmmmm

I tried almost every bar, except aero and flat bars.

The risers feel the best by far on the road.
because they let you ride more upright you will see more, and because of the weight shift to the rear your front will handle a lot quicker. I am zippier through traffic on these than on any other bar I have tried. Comfortable too. All the skids and skips work fine too. Just don't cut them too narrow or your climbs will suck. Shoulder width is fine.
Once you put them on there drive your bicycle through a sharp turn first with drops or bulls, then with risers. You will feel a huge difference. Pick what suits you.