Chromoly Handle Bars...
 

I am very new to fixed gear riding, actually haven't started yet... Just building up my first true FG bike but ride a Raleigh Record single speed convert.

I don't want aluminum stem and handle bars as they wreak havoc on my shoulder joints. I'm 48y/o with lots of injuries.

I know it can be expensive to buy chromoly bars and I am looking for bullhorns/moustache type HB. The bike frame I bought has a threadless fork so I am going with the Nitto CT80 stem.

I have done some searching for chromoly hb's but only find drops.

Any suggestions?

Thank you.

Chop and flip some drops maybe?

I don't believe there have ever been a pair of chrome moly bullhorns made. Bullhorns are intended for weight-conscious aero efforts, not for applications where steel bars are more popular (sprint/kilo/keirin). I'd also suggest cutting off some steel drops. You don't need chrome moly bars for this. They actually are a bit more brittle and stiffer (their only advantage is a slight decrease in weight, which is achieved by going to a much less compliant steel tubing), so you'd find better comfort with a pair of standard steel Nitto bars. The chrome finish is identical on both types of steel.

Do be aware that if you're using the steel CT-80 stem, you really don't want to use alloy bars. The stem clamps so strongly that it will compress alloy bars and can create a substantial dent that can lead to collapse. It's a superbly strong stem if strength is what you need, and does a better job of clamping steel bars than pretty much anything out there (including the Nitto Jaguars).

I don't quite understand this..

Surely there must be others out there who also have injuries and found a solution.

Maybe some extra cushy bar tape and a good pair of gel gloves?

A steel stem doesn't flex enough to matter. As for the bars, I would actually suggest running crappy bullhorns, like the nashbar ones or something, they will have enough flex to give you some cushioning, and will certainly be more flexy than steel flop and chops since most old steel bars are way burly. I run something kind of like this on my roadie. You've got 2 decades on me, but I have shoulder problems, so I run kind of underbuilt Al bars and when I'm in the drops they're my shock absorber. I live in flat flat Chicago, so pulling up to climb isn't a factor.

The issue here is whether an alloy track bar is more or less resilient than a steel track bar. Alloy bars aren't like alloy frames (i.e., the stiffest of the bunch and least comfortable). Steel bars are pretty nasty if you're riding on rough surfaces. When I race on a rough track I used to switch to alloy bars just to ease the pounding in a hard race. Of course, now I just do carbon track bars, which is the perfect blend of all desirable traits.

Thanks, I appreciate all the great advice. I will check out a few to get a feel of what would work well. Happy holidays.