Had a question on butterfly/trekking bars. I have this idea I can't seem to find anybody has tried of mounting the bars backwards. Not sure how to describe it any different. I have never used them and am upgrading a 93 giant iguana and feel the reach would be fine but not sure if it would work for all the hand positions?

I just keep seeing them mounted the same way and wasn't sure if I was just missing something.

Try them in all orientations before wrapping them. Dollars to donuts you will see what you are missing. Could be wrong, but I did try them flipped over and out of curiosity flipped around. Ended up with the same orientation that you see in most pictures.

I use them on two bikes, with the bar ends closest to the seat, if that is "normal". The shifters and brake levers are there, because, at 65, I prefer a more upright riding position. To relax, bend over for a more aero position because of a headwind, I hold onto the forward bends of the bar, and reach down to the shifters as needed. The height of the bar ends can be adjusted by rotating the handlebars so the controls are at a comfortable height, and I just lean forward to have less weight on my hands.

The only handlebars that come close to the same comfort are the Jones H-bars, but they are more expensive. I'm putting them on my bikepacking bikes but not on my road bikes.

One problem with flipping the bars backwards is that the bar end position (hoods if you were using drop bars) is now angled outwards which is very awkward for the hands. You can ride with thumbs pointed a bit in no problem but not with them pointed out.

normal? there are dozens of shapes available, and each can be mounted four ways. then factor in the tilt, stem length, and bar height in relation to the seat.

......and you don't need to use the entire bar....cut off the section you don't like or need. add bar-ends or clip-ons..........

I only mounted mine "normally" because that is what gave me the best fit. I tried them in a few different directions before I settled on that.

I have mine open end at the back , have my gear shifters and brakes back there.. slips off the open end easily . a box to ship advantage..

I saw a Website picture the guys at Harris Cycles in MA, put road levers on the front, as if mustache bars,

setting them up vertically can work too, have a high and low..
Brompton's P bar is an up, most of the time, with a low, ride bent over
into a headwind, or go fast, option ..
you can set up trekking bars like that too.

Pretty much Up to you..



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Great responses! Pretty much answered my questions/thoughts. Just didn't want to pull the trigger on them till I was certain because it was either those or bullhorns (I really hate straight bars for some reason).

The main point to consider in setting up trekking bars, is knee clearance. If the "ends" are in front, then the bends definitely have an upsweep, or downsweep. Plus you gain a few inches of "virtual" stem length.
Those ends I mentioned, are where I mount my flat-bar brifters, so I get way more forward reach, it feels just like flat bars, plus lots of options for your hands. 🙂