Chopped b123s - width?
 

Hey all,
I plan on getting some b123s and chopping and flipping em. I prefer bullhorns and like the look of chopped b123s, and yes, I know some might find the idea of disfiguring new b123s to be near blasphemy. I apologize.

I prefer narrow bars when riding the "hoods" position. My question is: how narrow is too narrow to have a comfortable hand position next to the stem on b123s, what with the curve and all?

38cm minimum.

so why not just get purpose-built bullhorns? Not hating, just curious.

Anyways, I have the Soma 451 drops (very similar to Nitto B123... actually, I think it's a replica) and the Nitto RB021 horns. I got them both in 40 cm and they're pretty comfortable. I think the narrowest they come is 38 cm.

Yeah, I was wondering why you wouldn't just get bullhorns. You'd probably end up saving some money and having a bar with more hand positions. Chop and flop horns just don't provide many hand positions, 2 at max but those don't change the angle of your body really.

It's almost purely for aesthetic's sake, I'll admit. However, I often like to hold my bars on the elbows of the curve, for which I prefer a less sharp bend, but that's really just some bull**** justification for my vanity.

My ideal bar width is about 37cm but I'm aware that, as WoundedKnee said, that may be too narrow to comfortably grip the bars next to the stem.

They sell these for like 45 bucks on ebay, some njs suppliers have it too

Anyone else? Would going under 38cm be wasting a potentially useable hand position?

Sounds like you'd have only one usable hand position, out at the ends. If you absolutely must I'd recommend being able to hold a set in your hands to determine how it would all feel when you cut it up.

I would have 3: "hoods", elbows, next to the stem. All I'm trying to figure out is how narrow is too narrow so as to render the position next to the stem unusable. Specifically, I would like to know if 37cm would be too narrow. WoundedKnee thinks so, and I think he's probably right, but as I'm not able to physically grab a pair of 37cm b123s myself some more opinions would be greatly appreciated.

I think the narrowest B123 you can find is 38 cm anyways.

Nah I've seen 36s and 37s.

I actually think you can find them down to 34cm, but I wouldn't swear by it.

http://notquiteamerican.files.wordpr.../carrottop.jpg
..

instead of chopping and flopping, why not just purchase the narrowest of bullhorn setups? the nitto b263AA: http://www.tracksupermarket.com/inde...252ca43c087d3d

Lots of bullhorns look like flopchops anyways. It's just 1cm dude..

I have 38cm RB021s.

I know I know I know. I'm not all that worried about it, I just wanted to know what people think.

So far you're the only person who's actually answered my question.

Umm ... This is 38cm bullhorn I built from scratched up B123. Plenty of space for two hands.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...KC280274-1.jpg

I can do 37cm, as I have ridden on a track drop of that width. It would certainly be better than pulling a short straight bar. I would like to fit a break lever in, so I can't go any narrower. I know at 35cm, the hood would be completely smooth curving (no straight part); which could be quite beautiful depending on your setup.

You can get a crmo version runs from 340-420mm. ... You know you might not wanna cut the thing, ...

http://pedalconsumption.com/files/ne...drop_bars.html

See?

http://www.tracksupermarket.com/inde...a106202124732a
Im sure you can order it with just a polish.

Hey, I answered your question! My answer was a picture of Carrot Top pumping iron. :D

chopped track drops just screams jackass in my opinion

seriously? why not just buy 38cm rb-018s?

I've got a spare set of 40cm wide RB-018.

Man, guys on LAfixed and velospace sell rb-021's for like $20. Keep your drops, don't cut them, buy a set of real bullhorns and a new stem. This way, you won't have to go back and buy a new set of drops and tape when you decide you want to go back in 6 weeks. Having handlebars mated with their own stems makes bar swaps so easy and convenient.