Alternative Handlebars!
#1
tired
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Alternative Handlebars!
This is modified from a post I have in the Women's Forum - thought it might be good to have here...
Let's have a look at the huge selection of non-drop, non-flat/straight handlebars out there these days.
Soma
Nitto
Velo Orange (non-Nitto)
OnOne
These handlebars might require some people to get a seatpost with more setback than is traditional on North American-style bikes. Besides the Brompton folder part fix, I recently saw this seatpost made by Nitto for Rivendell. It's really expensive, but very elegant, and you don't have to worry about lots of parts.
Know of any others or do you have any reviews of the above?
Let's have a look at the huge selection of non-drop, non-flat/straight handlebars out there these days.

Soma
Nitto
- Promenade Handlebar
- Velo Orange Montmartre Handlebar
- Velo Orange Left Bank Handlebar
- Moustache Handlebar
- North Road Handlebar
- Albatross Handlebar
- Dove Bar
Velo Orange (non-Nitto)
OnOne
These handlebars might require some people to get a seatpost with more setback than is traditional on North American-style bikes. Besides the Brompton folder part fix, I recently saw this seatpost made by Nitto for Rivendell. It's really expensive, but very elegant, and you don't have to worry about lots of parts.
Know of any others or do you have any reviews of the above?
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"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
#2
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The Velo Orange Milan bar is also very nice. Inexpensive to try too.
https://yhst-84224226242177.stores.ya.../milanbar.html
https://yhst-84224226242177.stores.ya.../milanbar.html
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Here are my images comparing some of these bars next to one another.

A North Road on top of a Mary

An Albatross on top of a Mary

Comparing the difference in rise and width between the North Road and the Albatross. The Albatross is in the foreground.

A North Road on top of a Mary

An Albatross on top of a Mary

Comparing the difference in rise and width between the North Road and the Albatross. The Albatross is in the foreground.
#4
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Nice work D...
My economy route has been to recycle old cruiser bars which is basically where moustache bars originated... older bars often have the lesser diameter so a shim may be required for some stems.
My economy route has been to recycle old cruiser bars which is basically where moustache bars originated... older bars often have the lesser diameter so a shim may be required for some stems.
#5
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I have these Dimension Cruiser Bars on my frankenbike. Similiar to the VO Milan bars but with more rise at 3.6". I was able to use a regular height stem to get an upright position.
Last edited by itsmoot; 05-26-08 at 12:53 PM.
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There's also the Nitto/Jitensha Studio bar. I have one and love it.
https://www.jitensha.com/eng/flatbar05.html
https://www.jitensha.com/eng/flatbar05.html
#8
Uber Goober
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ducts_id=11122
That's something like what I have, bought for $12 or so at the local bike shop.
That's something like what I have, bought for $12 or so at the local bike shop.
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The DOVE Bar is delicous especially with nuts,mmmmmmm! I like north roads or pullbacks all good bars.
#11
tired
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__________________
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
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dang!
All the bar choices I've been looking for (Soma!) and a few other good ones with some nice side-by-sides...
I have some pondering to do...
Thanks all!
All the bar choices I've been looking for (Soma!) and a few other good ones with some nice side-by-sides...
I have some pondering to do...
Thanks all!
#13
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I am really digging the montmartre bars from VO. Anyone have experience with those?
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https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ducts_id=11122
That's something like what I have, bought for $12 or so at the local bike shop.
That's something like what I have, bought for $12 or so at the local bike shop.
~
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I would be very curious to see if any has tried the On One Midge on either a road or commuter set up?
https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/145...Handle-Bar.htm
https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/145...Handle-Bar.htm
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Also, a useful thread topic. Thanks for posting it Donnamb.
#18
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I like any bar that allows me to sit upright on my butt not my arms/shoulders like an ape.

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My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
#19
Part-time epistemologist
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A narrative on bicycle driving.
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#20
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Van Dessel sells a version of the moustache bar. Mtn diameter, narrower than the Nitto version. I liked them on my (stolen) superfly.
https://www.vandesselsports.com/image...handlebars.gif
https://www.vandesselsports.com/vstuff.html
Had the On-One Mary bars on an IRO ss bike and liked the angle well enough, but a bit wide for my tastes and basically only one hand position.
I use Nitto Moustache bars on my commuter and have always liked them--they work well for me.
Just got a set of Soma Sparrow bars for a beater, and the juries out on them right now, but out of the box, I'm liking them.
I think the bars I'm really waiting for is something like a narrow drop with the drop splayed out at 45 deg or so. Dirt drops like the on-one midge are simply too wide for my preference--cut about 6" out of the middle and they might very well be perfect. Anyone know of bars that fit that description?
https://www.vandesselsports.com/image...handlebars.gif
https://www.vandesselsports.com/vstuff.html
Had the On-One Mary bars on an IRO ss bike and liked the angle well enough, but a bit wide for my tastes and basically only one hand position.
I use Nitto Moustache bars on my commuter and have always liked them--they work well for me.
Just got a set of Soma Sparrow bars for a beater, and the juries out on them right now, but out of the box, I'm liking them.
I think the bars I'm really waiting for is something like a narrow drop with the drop splayed out at 45 deg or so. Dirt drops like the on-one midge are simply too wide for my preference--cut about 6" out of the middle and they might very well be perfect. Anyone know of bars that fit that description?
Last edited by mconlonx; 05-29-08 at 08:58 AM.
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Treking bars, AKA butterfly bars, are another option for upright cycling. I have mine mounted "upside down", as I like the angle that puts my wrists at when I use the outer part.
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For what it's worth . . .
I just installed a pair of Soma Sparrows and so far I'm loving the feel and position. When they're in the stem with a drop to them, it gives them a definite "cafe racer" feel. You're definitely in the cockpit of the bike, as opposed to riding above it. Flipped, with a rise, they have more of a "townie" feel to them. They'll need a little more riding to dial them in, but as of now, I'm really digging them.
I just installed a pair of Soma Sparrows and so far I'm loving the feel and position. When they're in the stem with a drop to them, it gives them a definite "cafe racer" feel. You're definitely in the cockpit of the bike, as opposed to riding above it. Flipped, with a rise, they have more of a "townie" feel to them. They'll need a little more riding to dial them in, but as of now, I'm really digging them.
#24
tired
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For what it's worth . . .
I just installed a pair of Soma Sparrows and so far I'm loving the feel and position. When they're in the stem with a drop to them, it gives them a definite "cafe racer" feel. You're definitely in the cockpit of the bike, as opposed to riding above it. Flipped, with a rise, they have more of a "townie" feel to them. They'll need a little more riding to dial them in, but as of now, I'm really digging them.
I just installed a pair of Soma Sparrows and so far I'm loving the feel and position. When they're in the stem with a drop to them, it gives them a definite "cafe racer" feel. You're definitely in the cockpit of the bike, as opposed to riding above it. Flipped, with a rise, they have more of a "townie" feel to them. They'll need a little more riding to dial them in, but as of now, I'm really digging them.

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"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
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I'm glad to know my comment could be of help, and in the spirit of furthering that:
I looked at many of the options listed in the original post and even tried a couple that were on bikes around town. What made me settle on the sparrow?
I needed something compatible with MTB style trigger shifters, fairly narrow, and something I could flip for a more aero position.
At first, I thought the Mary bars were awesome--and they are, in fact they're perfect for off road riding, little bit of a rise, great sweep so your wrists don't hurt and they're nice and wide for more technical turns. They were just TOO wide for me to ride on the street.
The sparrow just loooked like it had the perfect bends for wrist comfort, enough of a drop to it that I could tuck down and, I'll admit it . . . they matched the color of the bike. There I said it. The bikes' black, the bars are available in black.
Like I said, I just put them on (two days ago). Maybe I'll drop back by after I've got a week or so riding on them.
I looked at many of the options listed in the original post and even tried a couple that were on bikes around town. What made me settle on the sparrow?
I needed something compatible with MTB style trigger shifters, fairly narrow, and something I could flip for a more aero position.
At first, I thought the Mary bars were awesome--and they are, in fact they're perfect for off road riding, little bit of a rise, great sweep so your wrists don't hurt and they're nice and wide for more technical turns. They were just TOO wide for me to ride on the street.
The sparrow just loooked like it had the perfect bends for wrist comfort, enough of a drop to it that I could tuck down and, I'll admit it . . . they matched the color of the bike. There I said it. The bikes' black, the bars are available in black.
Like I said, I just put them on (two days ago). Maybe I'll drop back by after I've got a week or so riding on them.