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Pros and Cons of each type of handle bar.

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Old 04-10-08 | 07:38 PM
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Pros and Cons of each type of handle bar.

I ride drops 95% of the time, and I like them for obvious reasons. I just want to know why people use risers, moustache bars, bullhorns, etc. Aerodynmaic/comfort reasons. I don't care 'bout barspins.
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Old 04-10-08 | 07:41 PM
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Flip and chops, which have served me well, but i'm looking into getting proper bullhorns. I like the diff hand positions and the uprightedness(eh?) they give me.
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Old 04-10-08 | 07:42 PM
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I also ride drops 95% of the time but I have both risers and bullhorns as well. I use risers when I know I'm going to be going slow with friends or whatever and I usually put my bullhorns on when I'm feeling frisky and want to change things up a bit.
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Old 04-10-08 | 07:45 PM
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People ride with different bars because they look cool to them. I've got bikes with regular drop bars so my next project will have Nitto Albatross bars. Why? Why not.

I thought about bullhorns because they are very similar to riding on the brake hoods of regular drop bars but then I saw the Albatross bars and figured I'd give them a whirl. The Albatross aren't as curvy as moustache bars; you can move your hands around more on the bars.

Bars are easy to swap out, so don't feel like you have to choose one style.
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Old 04-10-08 | 07:49 PM
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I just like the idea of drops because you have the bull horn position, with an extra position to fight the wind/sprint.
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Old 04-10-08 | 07:50 PM
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Bullhorns kick ass for climbing with ergonomic leverage, and for getting into an aero position like with drops but without the eventual neck soreness. Plus, a single time trial lever looks better than a single drop lever.
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Old 04-10-08 | 08:12 PM
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^^ yeah they are pretty sweet for climbing.
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Old 04-10-08 | 08:14 PM
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risers for barspins, brosef!
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Old 04-10-08 | 08:45 PM
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Nice comfy risers for cutting through traffic
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Old 04-10-08 | 08:49 PM
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I've got nitto 021s, which translate to bullhorns with drop. I have em wrapped, and I wouldn't switch to anything else, no, not ever.
They are the perfect hybrid of control and aero. I have mine tilted downwards a little to be even more aero.
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Old 04-10-08 | 08:53 PM
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Bikes: Giant NRS1, CdaleR400, Surly S-Roller & Fuji Track

Pros: mustache, bulls, straight bars all in one. Variety of brake levers and positions.


con: no drops, (when squeezed in traffic) 57.5cm width, 2.6 rolls of bar tape. Look like sunglasses.

Last edited by LurkasauresRex; 04-10-08 at 10:42 PM.
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Old 04-10-08 | 08:59 PM
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I've got risers for cruising around town with friends because they are comfortable for going slow and weaving through traffic. I use my base bars when I'm trying to go fast because they allow me to get aero without straining my back and neck. I use drops for longer rides because they allow so many different positions. They all serve their purpose. Next on my list of things to try is moustache bars.
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Old 04-10-08 | 09:24 PM
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i had these upside-down riserish handlebars that i swapped for drops because they werent as wide and let me lean forward. i liked the risers, but every car mirror made me nervous
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Old 04-10-08 | 10:25 PM
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I use bullhorns and I like how I can grab on real tight when I climb, and even get myself into a more aero-dynamic position if I get blasted with wind.
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Old 04-10-08 | 10:37 PM
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im with the OP on this one...drops ftw
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Old 04-10-08 | 10:55 PM
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I ride risers in town, but I like drops for longer rides. Rode bullhorns for a little while, and didn't really dig them too much. In the long run, though, just ride whatever is comfortable for you...it's not necessarily going to be the same for you as for others.

Reason I like risers: when I'm riding around town, I often find myself with something in my hand, or adjusting my bag, or something. It's easier (in my opinion) than with drops. Also, as others have said, they're a bit better for getting off and on the bike, getting through traffic and peds, etc.

Reason I (occasionally) like drops: better in headwind, multi-position is better for long rides.

Reason I don't like bullhorns: don't know, just don't feel good to me.
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Old 04-10-08 | 11:48 PM
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I have nitto rb-021's and they are sweet. I rode with track drops and they were good for climbing and all, but so are the bullhorns and they make for more comfortable hand positions. If there is wind, duck.
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Old 04-10-08 | 11:57 PM
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cruiser bars ftw
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Old 04-11-08 | 12:00 AM
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Bikes: looks like a specialized crux now

I ride bullhorns for climbing and because i cannot generate leverage to stop when riding drops.
but my drop sprints faster with drops
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Old 04-11-08 | 01:42 AM
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I'd like to take this opportunity to post this photo again:


But seriously, ergo drops with hoods are the best all-around bar. Bullhorns are basically a more substantial hood, and they're great for climbing. Flat bars are fun to ride for short distances and seem more stable in bad conditions, but are not great for sprinting and getting out of the wind.
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Old 04-11-08 | 09:10 AM
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Hey,

What position do you use for your bullhorns?



I feel I should be right on top of my bullhorn instead of shallower angle. My old frame's top tube seems to be too long for this. So I felt more comfy on the roof for non-hills. So I slapped on my flat bar again.



Now I feel I made a wrong choice as leverage is poor. But it looks a bit cooler (... this may because of my new nitto stem. )

There is a new(?) Nitto bar B263AA. Anyone tried this bullhorn?

T
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Old 04-11-08 | 09:35 AM
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i <3 rb-18
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Old 04-11-08 | 09:45 AM
  #23  
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Bikes: looks like a specialized crux now

Originally Posted by Tomo_Ishi
Hey,

What position do you use for your bullhorns?



I feel I should be right on top of my bullhorn instead of shallower angle. My old frame's top tube seems to be too long for this. So I felt more comfy on the roof for non-hills. So I slapped on my flat bar again.


T
there

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Old 04-11-08 | 12:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Tomo_Ishi
Hey,




Now I feel I made a wrong choice as leverage is poor. But it looks a bit cooler (... this may because of my new nitto stem. )


T
just use some bar ends with the flat bar, I did for a while and was way more comfy than 'proper' bullhorns but the corners weren't comfy enough.
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Old 04-11-08 | 12:47 PM
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I ride some risers because I usually just ride on the tops, as my bike gets most use just running around town. I ride horns or drops occasionally as well, especially if I'm riding a really long distance, though if a long distance is the intention the road bike usually gets rocked out.
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