[I posted this in the Bicycle Mechanics, but it seems like I may get a better response here. Sorry for the cross-posting.]

I want to use the RB-018 bars (Nitto's shorter reach, zero drop bullhorn bars) with TT/aero brake levers. One of the sites carrying them says they WON'T work with those levers but not why.

At first I thought it was the inner-diameter, but now maybe that the straight bit at the very end of the bars is too short to hold the expansion plug.

Any first or second hand experience? Can anyone suggest another similar bar? (short-reach, zero-drop)

I did a bunch of searches, regarding compatibility, here and on the internet but couldn't find any specific answers.

Thanks again for any help!

You can get Syntace's in zero drop and I think those work with bar end levers. They are not as short but they do curve back toward you in the flats.

i have these, though i dont' use them frequently. they're not bad. slight angle backwards, and they're pretty long. of course, short reach bars are just long reach bars who have been introduced to Captain Pipe Cutter.

I have the 018, and the Oval Concepts bar ends (carbon levers) fit with +/- 3/8" to spare.

I'll let you know, I've got the NB-018's coming in next Monday and I want to pair them with my Cane Creek 200TTs.

Sweet, thanks pigmode. I checked the Oval site, and those don't look any longer than the Cane Creek one I have. And certainly disproves that the 018 can't take any barends.

QP and nightfly, thanks for the suggestions. Those syntace's were going to be my back-up plan but I wasn't sure about the backwards angle on the flat.

what it did for me was make the corners a nicer place to put my hands. i felt like i had a bit more thumb room in the pulled-back corner. but really, it's a pretty slight sweep.

Was there about 3/8 inch extra space across? If so did you use a shim or something? Or was it 3/8" of the length at the end to spare?

I'm talking about clearance lengthwise in terms of the brake lever seating fully in the barend, without having the expanding wedge interfere by butting into that first bend in the bar. I assumed this was the issue you were refering to--having enough straight run of pipe for the internal portion of the brake lever. Anyway, I went back and took a more precise look at it, and there is about 5/16" clearance for the Oval levers. I can cut 5/16" off the ends and the levers will still seat properly.

Hey pigmode, thank you again for checking that, I really appreciate it.

Initially all I knew was that the internet store I was looking at had a note that said it wouldn't work with barends. But without the bars to look at I couldn't tell if tubing was narrow or what. I since got an email back from that store and they said that the barends are BOTH too narrow and too short.

But you've got 'em right there in front of you so that's good enough for me. I ended up having my LBS order them for me.

The two barend levers I've spec'd (cane creek and I forget) both had very similar inner diameters they'd work with (about 19mm-21mm), so I'd be surprised if Oval is using a different standard.

I'll post back when I get the bars set up.

Hey, just an update. I got the Nitto RB-018's and mounted my Cane Creek TT brake levers on it without a problem. The diameter is wide enough that you even need the shims (if you're not using bar tape) and the distance to the first bend is long enough that the expander bolt doesn't "bottom out".

Thanks for posting back rpc180.
To anyone else interested, I ended up having problems getting the 018's. I wanted 40cm but I could only locate the heat-treated version in that size ($90) and that was going to be a while until I could get them.
So I found an LBS w/ Profile Stoker26 bars in a 40cm.
So far so good. They have a 26mm OD the whole length (no bulge center) so I had to get a large set of cross levers. (I'm running front/rear cross levers and a front TT lever)

That makes 3 brake levers?

Yeah......I know, kind of against the ss/fg minimalist aesthetic. Until this bike I'd been riding flatbar mtn bikes and old 3-speed Raleighs and Schwinn Varsity with country bars. So I didn't know how I'd end up using the bars on the new bike (Surly crosscheck w/ surly flip-flop rear hub) and wanted to have options. Once I get my setup where I like it I may just have two cross levers or two TT levers.

6 years later

rpc180 care to elaborate on how you got the cane creeks on the rb-018s?

You take the expanding shim off, and use just the bare nuts.

hmm..i'll look into that because with the expanding shim on, its too loose in there...

for anyone who needs to do this, my Cane Creek 200TT's fit in these handlebars by putting on the expanding shim and they fit perfectly.