flatbars on surly LHT
 

Does anyone have a LHT with flatbars? I'm going to build a touring bike for my wife and dropbars and barcons are not an option for her. Also looking for 56cm frameset or possibly 58. she's 5'9 but has 34 inch inseam.
Thanks Mike

I've seen pictures of LHTs with flat bars... cerainly do-able. I'm still in the dream-of-owning phase w/ the LHT myself, though, and mine will have either drop bars or (see next paragraph)...

If I were to suggest another possible approach to the handlebar situation for your wife, I'd say look into butterfly trekking bars like these. I have had them on my bike (a hybrid that sees every-day commuting duty) since June and LOVE THEM. They're a great, under-considered option, and would work GREAT on an LHT. Nashbar and Wllbike have some, too. Just a thought. Good luck with the build!

Hi Mike,

The LHT works fine with flat bars, here's a pic of mine.

http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...s/DSCN0181.jpg

Mike

if you get a high raise stem and keep the fork uncut, you could give her wide road bars with interrupter levers. It'll be like riding with flat bars except she'll gradually discover the benefits of road bars.

Here is another LHT with flat bars and the Barcon shifters mounted on Paul's Thumbies.

What kind of bar is that and the ends who sells them they look great and bet it rides good too.I may get my self a setup like that.Very nice job on your LHT.

for anyone in the Monterey area, I think I have a line on a LHT (blue) with nice racks, all new condition, the bike probably has less than 100 miles on it.

I've been using H-Bars for a few years now, both on my Big Dummy and Pugsley.

this looks like the new Surly Open Bar
http://www.flickr.com/photos/singles...ream/lightbox/
new couplings for LHT too...

surly blog: http://surlybikes.com/blog/oh_what_the_hell/

Mikerr is using regular flat bars with Ergon grips and bar-ends.

I've used a similar setup to tour... and as a result switched to drop bars. I found I spent most of my time using the bar-ends.

Fortunately if you use Paul's Thumbies or a similar option to reposition the barcons, you can always switch.

Another option of course is to use STI / brifters.

There is no problem using flat bars on a Surly LHT....just make sure you incorporate the reduced reach into your sizing process as you'll need a longer TT than you would on the same bike with drop bars.

http://www.bowcycle.com/bikes/blogs/...ar-end-review/

Really comfy bar ends. I like 'em a lot.

Cane Creek makes these barends: http://www.canecreek.com/component-o...t=ergo-control
I've used a couple of set of em thru the years.
they are nice and ergo, designed as such, and work very well.

my caveat with right angles, and rubbery/grippy parts, is that they often catch on things, like passers by
its easy for the grip to catch on a jacket or any loose clothing.

i know it sounds lame
but i was constantly amazed how often my bike(s) would get knocked around, simply because someone was curious and looking at the bike close by, where their clothing would just rub against the bar, and it would be enough of a catch to start the bike sliding
i know... lame

however, with a bar like the H-bar, Mary Bar, Open Bar, etc... the sweep is enough to allow for "glancing blows", and/or let things simply slide along its surface.
the wrist angle between a straight bar and bar ends/or road bar's (drop/hood)

I like My figure 8 bend trekking bars,...

they are like bar ends when your hands are on the sides, but there so many other grips too .. a variety of holds helps on longer rides

far grip can get a good lean into the headwind posture when needed,

near side grip, brakes and Gripshifters .. Uses Mountain bike controls , or can set up Road levers towards the front bend.
thumbshifters elsewhere many options...

so rather than up down,.. the near and far, is on the same sort of height.

Here are the component details of the handle bar pic I posted.
Sorry, I should have included them with the pic.

The flat bars are pretty standard, though I've shortened slightly.
Bar ends and 'thumbie' gear converters were from SJS Cycles, here in the UK.
Grips are Ergon GP1 Lightweight.
Stem 110mm, 17deg rise.

I've left the steerer tube uncut, I like my bars high.
As Vik has mentioned, you need to consider the reach when using flat bars.
But once set up, the LHT with flat bars gives a stable, comfortable ride.

Mike