switching to bullhorns
10-24-05 | 07:27 AM
#26
Barbieri Telefonico
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,522
Likes: 2
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Bikes: Crappy but operational secondhand Motobecane Messenger
My chop job is the original 1971 schwinn steel handlebar. Sawing them off was a workout, but their as as stiff as dive bar gin and tonics
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10-24-05 | 11:46 AM
#27
I've got an Oval bar end lever for my front brake on bullhorns and it's the best hill climbing setup I've ever had (I live in Thetford, VT). I find that I'm out on the ends more often than I was down in the drops and especially at higher speeds, which is when I like being near the brake levers. How many teeth on your cog? I am running 48:18 in these Vermont hills and haven't had to walk yet, although I've got a 20 tooth freewheel for my flip flop, which I'll put on for long rides where there are mt. passes to deal with.
10-24-05 | 12:01 PM
#28
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,990
Likes: 36
From: Williston, VT
Bikes: Bridgestone RB-T, Soma Rush, Razesa Racer, ⅔ of a 1983 Holdsworth Professional, Nishiki Riviera Winter Bike
Hey Frankie nice to see another Vermonter on here! I almost started a Montpelier Alleycat Thread as a joke, but then I figured no one would get it 
I'm running 42x16 on 27" wheels. The gears seem to be pretty good for Montpelier's hills. there are a couple I can't get up, but I go around those. After a few months on the fixed I might not have to.
I'm definitely starting to lean towards putting TT levers on the ends, but then just to throw another monkey wrench into the works, I saw Soma's Major Taylor bars. DAMN those things are SO SEXY. Now I'm starting to think I can use my old 1" stem, and a set of Cro-mo track bars might be dandy. OK, they probably won't give me the same leverage, but at least they won't move around...
I dunno, they're probably not the most practical bars for these parts, but thay are so sexy I can probably talk myself into believing the are
I'm running 42x16 on 27" wheels. The gears seem to be pretty good for Montpelier's hills. there are a couple I can't get up, but I go around those. After a few months on the fixed I might not have to.
I'm definitely starting to lean towards putting TT levers on the ends, but then just to throw another monkey wrench into the works, I saw Soma's Major Taylor bars. DAMN those things are SO SEXY. Now I'm starting to think I can use my old 1" stem, and a set of Cro-mo track bars might be dandy. OK, they probably won't give me the same leverage, but at least they won't move around...
I dunno, they're probably not the most practical bars for these parts, but thay are so sexy I can probably talk myself into believing the are
10-24-05 | 12:39 PM
#29
meet the mets
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,555
Likes: 0
From: Bucktown, Chicago
Bikes: Raleigh conversion (hours spent making it look like a Pista); Porter Track, Samson Track, Leto Roadie.
I think those Syntace bullhorns have a bulge in the middle, on the left and right side of where the stem attaches. This will make it damn near impossible to put a cyclocross/BMX brake lever up there, if that matters to you.
10-24-05 | 12:52 PM
#30
Tiocfáidh ár Lá
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,483
Likes: 132
From: The edge of b#
Bikes: A whole bunch-a bikes.
Originally Posted by mattface
Let's see here:
I'm hearing that the Syntace bars are flexy. They'll probably still be better than what I've got now, but can someone recommend some that are stiffer?
Still up in the air about brakes. I'm starting to lean towards TT levers. I just wish I knew wether I would be riding more on the ends or the tops. Since I'm ususlly inn the drops, I'm guessing now it may well be the ends I ride more, but I guess I just won't know until I've ridden the bullhorns a bit.
I know I'll need a new stem to use 26mm bars, but I guess I'll just have to to feel it and guess about wether I want a different length. Common sense tells me a shorter stem goes generally with TT bars, but maybe I'm way off base on that hypothesis.
I'm hearing that the Syntace bars are flexy. They'll probably still be better than what I've got now, but can someone recommend some that are stiffer?
Still up in the air about brakes. I'm starting to lean towards TT levers. I just wish I knew wether I would be riding more on the ends or the tops. Since I'm ususlly inn the drops, I'm guessing now it may well be the ends I ride more, but I guess I just won't know until I've ridden the bullhorns a bit.
I know I'll need a new stem to use 26mm bars, but I guess I'll just have to to feel it and guess about wether I want a different length. Common sense tells me a shorter stem goes generally with TT bars, but maybe I'm way off base on that hypothesis.
10-24-05 | 07:04 PM
#31
information sponge
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 692
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From: Little Village, Chicago, IL
Bikes: Lots. Mostly steel. Mostly heavy. Mostly geared, and very low, at that.
I LOVED my Syntace bars because they TAPER IN, which is MUCH more natural for your wrists. I noticed WAY more flex in my stem than in my bars (I could move the whole bar up and down about half an inch). I had a crappy tt lever, which was fine for me. I tended to ride all up on the stem, so it didn't really matter either way to me. I didn't use the brake very much, despite not skidding at all, but Chicago is about as hilly as a tortilla.
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Philosophy and feelings don't change the laws of physics
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10-24-05 | 07:31 PM
#32
Banned.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,416
Likes: 1
I would gear your fixie it so you can just make it up the hills without walking.
I'd rather spin down hills than walk up them. Ya gots a front brake, just dial that thing in on the downhills to your perfered cadence and go.
I'd rather spin down hills than walk up them. Ya gots a front brake, just dial that thing in on the downhills to your perfered cadence and go.
