[Question] Pista bars that are street acceptable.
#1
[Question] Pista bars that are street acceptable.
Does anyone know of any that are tolerable when riding on the tops? I know there are the Cinelli Pistas, and Deda's but are there any other hybrid types, or road bars that have similar drop bends? And for anyone that does have the Cinelli Pistas, what are your experiences riding on the tops is it comfortable enough to do frequently?
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 602
Likes: 23
From: high above the pounding surf of Lake Erie
Bikes: Couple of rigid MTB's and a fixed gear
I have a set of Soma #456 's which are shaped similarly and at a reasonable price point.
My question is: why install track drops if you're planning on riding the tops mostly? That's why straight bars exist.
Around here, we have Lake driven winds that are unforgiving and relentless. Even in calm conditions I make an effort to stay in the drops. It's just a given that speeds go up and effort goes down.
Yep, you'll see me on the tops occasionally, when I'm sucking air like crazy trying to catch up after a hill pull or sprint....then back down to the drops. I can't see putting track bars on just to ride the tops.
My question is: why install track drops if you're planning on riding the tops mostly? That's why straight bars exist.
Around here, we have Lake driven winds that are unforgiving and relentless. Even in calm conditions I make an effort to stay in the drops. It's just a given that speeds go up and effort goes down.
Yep, you'll see me on the tops occasionally, when I'm sucking air like crazy trying to catch up after a hill pull or sprint....then back down to the drops. I can't see putting track bars on just to ride the tops.
#5
THE STUFFED


Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,671
Likes: 21
From: San Francisco, CA
Bikes: R. Sachs Simplicity; EAI Bareknuckle; Madone SLR9 Gen 8
#6
I have a set of Soma #456 's which are shaped similarly and at a reasonable price point.
My question is: why install track drops if you're planning on riding the tops mostly? That's why straight bars exist.
Around here, we have Lake driven winds that are unforgiving and relentless. Even in calm conditions I make an effort to stay in the drops. It's just a given that speeds go up and effort goes down.
Yep, you'll see me on the tops occasionally, when I'm sucking air like crazy trying to catch up after a hill pull or sprint....then back down to the drops. I can't see putting track bars on just to ride the tops.
My question is: why install track drops if you're planning on riding the tops mostly? That's why straight bars exist.
Around here, we have Lake driven winds that are unforgiving and relentless. Even in calm conditions I make an effort to stay in the drops. It's just a given that speeds go up and effort goes down.
Yep, you'll see me on the tops occasionally, when I'm sucking air like crazy trying to catch up after a hill pull or sprint....then back down to the drops. I can't see putting track bars on just to ride the tops.
Last edited by Seasonal; 02-01-15 at 05:28 PM. Reason: quoting
#7
Senior Member


Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 14,164
Likes: 5,296
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
I use some fairly deep and long reach pista bars for my "climbing cockpit" on my good fixie. The drops are very close to horizontal. I have Textro V-brake levers mounted horizontal at the furthest forward point on the curves so they are seriously low for riding the tops. I can (it's a little like the classic Merckx set-up) but don't much.
Up serious climbs fixed, I stand a whole lot. Those horizontal and huge brake hoods are sweet; a place I can spend the next hour if I have to. With pista bars, when I sit I have the ultimate handholds on the tops, rotating my elbows out a little to further open up breathing. Another plus is that these bars are, for me, seriously wide. An asset climbing AND on the descent. (Max speed on fix gear descents not being a factor of how aero you are but of how comfortable you are pedaling that fast.)
For flat ride, I pull the stem out and put in another with standard road bars with normal width and levers.
Ben
Up serious climbs fixed, I stand a whole lot. Those horizontal and huge brake hoods are sweet; a place I can spend the next hour if I have to. With pista bars, when I sit I have the ultimate handholds on the tops, rotating my elbows out a little to further open up breathing. Another plus is that these bars are, for me, seriously wide. An asset climbing AND on the descent. (Max speed on fix gear descents not being a factor of how aero you are but of how comfortable you are pedaling that fast.)
For flat ride, I pull the stem out and put in another with standard road bars with normal width and levers.
Ben
#10
.


Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 12,769
Likes: 38
From: Rocket City, No'ala
Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 5.2, 1985 Pinarello Treviso, 1990 Gardin Shred, 2006 Bianchi San Jose
Back in the 80's, narrow handlebars on road bikes were very popular. If you check eBay, you can often find 36-38cm drop bars that will have enough bar to ride on top while still being narrow and kind of track-ish.
My '87 Fuso had 38cm Cinelli Criterium bars; I gave them to one of my mechanics.
Found some 40cm new online; here's a picture:
My '87 Fuso had 38cm Cinelli Criterium bars; I gave them to one of my mechanics.
Found some 40cm new online; here's a picture:
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#12
I really like bananas. Which setup is this?





