Comments on: Q&A: What kind of handlebars should I use? http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/qa-what-kind-of-handlebars-should-i-use/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:00:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Website Designers Boston http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/qa-what-kind-of-handlebars-should-i-use/comment-page-1/#comment-349287 Website Designers Boston Tue, 26 Jul 2011 11:11:07 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/qa-what-kind-of-handlebars-should-i-use/#comment-349287 One of the oldest type of handlebars, this type of bar was named after the North Road Cycling Club in Londo One of the oldest type of handlebars, this type of bar was named after the North Road Cycling Club in Londo

]]> By: optimuscrime http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/qa-what-kind-of-handlebars-should-i-use/comment-page-1/#comment-30881 optimuscrime Mon, 14 May 2007 22:48:10 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/qa-what-kind-of-handlebars-should-i-use/#comment-30881 I used to have moustache bars on my old ride, which, alas, was thieved away by the bicycle trolls. Dammit. So, my new bike has flat handlebars, and I'm not so sure what I think. I've been considering adding bar ends rather than replacing the handlebars altogether with bullhorns. John -- looks like this is what you did. How'd you like it? I used to have moustache bars on my old ride, which, alas, was thieved away by the bicycle trolls. Dammit.

So, my new bike has flat handlebars, and I’m not so sure what I think. I’ve been considering adding bar ends rather than replacing the handlebars altogether with bullhorns.

John — looks like this is what you did. How’d you like it?

]]> By: brian http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/qa-what-kind-of-handlebars-should-i-use/comment-page-1/#comment-23399 brian Thu, 29 Mar 2007 20:35:42 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/qa-what-kind-of-handlebars-should-i-use/#comment-23399 I have bullhorns (drop bars turned over and cut) on one bike and mustache on another. I personally prefer the bullhorns for city riding. I find myself fighting for space in between cars so prefer the narrowness of the bullhorns. If I didn't have to fight the cars so much I might opt for the mustache. The do offer a lot of hand positions and are quite comfortable. I have bullhorns (drop bars turned over and cut) on one bike and mustache on another. I personally prefer the bullhorns for city riding. I find myself fighting for space in between cars so prefer the narrowness of the bullhorns. If I didn’t have to fight the cars so much I might opt for the mustache. The do offer a lot of hand positions and are quite comfortable.

]]> By: Evan http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/qa-what-kind-of-handlebars-should-i-use/comment-page-1/#comment-23006 Evan Fri, 23 Mar 2007 12:45:16 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/qa-what-kind-of-handlebars-should-i-use/#comment-23006 I use trekking bars on my commuter. Lots of hand positions and lots of room to mount lights and stuff. I use trekking bars on my commuter. Lots of hand positions and lots of room to mount lights and stuff.

]]> By: Mike in Florida http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/qa-what-kind-of-handlebars-should-i-use/comment-page-1/#comment-22975 Mike in Florida Thu, 22 Mar 2007 21:57:13 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/qa-what-kind-of-handlebars-should-i-use/#comment-22975 I suppose it depends on what sort of commute. I have a bike with a riser bar which I use for errands and short trips. My commute is longish so I like the extra hand positions the drop bar gives, and the ability to get in the drops for extra speed downhill. As for which drop bar---I will never ride anything other than a Nitto Model 177 "Noodle" bar. 44cm or wider. It's the most comfortable I've ever been. I suppose it depends on what sort of commute. I have a bike with a riser bar which I use for errands and short trips. My commute is longish so I like the extra hand positions the drop bar gives, and the ability to get in the drops for extra speed downhill. As for which drop bar—I will never ride anything other than a Nitto Model 177 “Noodle” bar. 44cm or wider. It’s the most comfortable I’ve ever been.

]]> By: Phil http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/qa-what-kind-of-handlebars-should-i-use/comment-page-1/#comment-22970 Phil Thu, 22 Mar 2007 19:23:49 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/qa-what-kind-of-handlebars-should-i-use/#comment-22970 I've had Moustache bars and they are very comfy. An excellent resource for sourcing and setting them up is Rivendell Bike's web site. http://www.rivbike.com/webalog/handlebars_stems_tape/16027.html Their catalog has a tech article on them. They are great for a modified cruising position but lack a lot of room for your lights coffee cup holder, mojo etc. Personally I like drops, specifically wide bars with deep cut back curves. Currently I am using a Salsa Bell Lap Cyclocross bar. There is plenty of room across the tops for lights or even a cyclo cross auxiliary brake lever set. I don't have them but lots of cell phone yakking latte drinking commuters do. Wide bars make it easier to breath and you don't hit your knees if you are using a shorterand taller stem. A handlebar has less to do with fit and comfort than your stem. A great bar with the wrong stem is worse than a lousy bar with the right stem. I’ve had Moustache bars and they are very comfy. An excellent resource for sourcing and setting them up is Rivendell Bike’s web site. http://www.rivbike.com/webalog/handlebars_stems_tape/16027.html
Their catalog has a tech article on them. They are great for a modified cruising position but lack a lot of room for your lights coffee cup holder, mojo etc.
Personally I like drops, specifically wide bars with deep cut back curves. Currently I am using a Salsa Bell Lap Cyclocross bar. There is plenty of room across the tops for lights or even a cyclo cross auxiliary brake lever set. I don’t have them but lots of cell phone yakking latte drinking commuters do. Wide bars make it easier to breath and you don’t hit your knees if you are using a shorterand taller stem. A handlebar has less to do with fit and comfort than your stem. A great bar with the wrong stem is worse than a lousy bar with the right stem.

]]> By: Val http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/qa-what-kind-of-handlebars-should-i-use/comment-page-1/#comment-22966 Val Thu, 22 Mar 2007 18:13:29 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/qa-what-kind-of-handlebars-should-i-use/#comment-22966 As mentioned, bar choice is a very personal matter, and no style can really be said to be "better". One important factor with any style of bar is the bar position. I have found that in most cases where the rider dislikes "drop" bars, the bars are too low and/or too far forward. If you have a bar with multiple positions, make sure that the stem puts it in a location that allows you to reach all the positions easily. On a bar with only one position (straight/rise mountain bike bars, bullhorns) this is even more important, but maladjustment is much more obvious from the start. As mentioned, bar choice is a very personal matter, and no style can really be said to be “better”. One important factor with any style of bar is the bar position. I have found that in most cases where the rider dislikes “drop” bars, the bars are too low and/or too far forward. If you have a bar with multiple positions, make sure that the stem puts it in a location that allows you to reach all the positions easily. On a bar with only one position (straight/rise mountain bike bars, bullhorns) this is even more important, but maladjustment is much more obvious from the start.

]]> By: Fritz http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/qa-what-kind-of-handlebars-should-i-use/comment-page-1/#comment-22959 Fritz Thu, 22 Mar 2007 16:25:07 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/qa-what-kind-of-handlebars-should-i-use/#comment-22959 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bike/409392256/" rel="nofollow">Here are</a> a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bike/409529090/" rel="nofollow">couple photos</a> of a bike with literal bullhorns! Drop bars are fine, IMO. If you want to drop a couple $$ to be a little more stylish with bullhorns, though, go knock yourself out. If you want to sit upright, raise your handlebars by adjusting/replacing the stem. Here are a couple photos of a bike with literal bullhorns!

Drop bars are fine, IMO. If you want to drop a couple $$ to be a little more stylish with bullhorns, though, go knock yourself out. If you want to sit upright, raise your handlebars by adjusting/replacing the stem.

]]> By: John http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/qa-what-kind-of-handlebars-should-i-use/comment-page-1/#comment-22958 John Thu, 22 Mar 2007 16:08:12 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/qa-what-kind-of-handlebars-should-i-use/#comment-22958 I run a set of moustache bars on my old Fuji commuter. They have been great. They offer tons of different hand positions. A nice wide stance for getting some leverage when climbing. And a solid flat bar like position when your looking for control under braking in the corners. Plus they look cool. My ride: http://www.flickr.com/photos/duganj/163193576/in/set-72157594206188173/ A nice page with general information on the bars: http://www.stanford.edu/~dru/moustache.html I run a set of moustache bars on my old Fuji commuter. They have been great. They offer tons of different hand positions. A nice wide stance for getting some leverage when climbing. And a solid flat bar like position when your looking for control under braking in the corners. Plus they look cool.

My ride:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/duganj/163193576/in/set-72157594206188173/

A nice page with general information on the bars:
http://www.stanford.edu/~dru/moustache.html

]]> By: Drew http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/qa-what-kind-of-handlebars-should-i-use/comment-page-1/#comment-22954 Drew Thu, 22 Mar 2007 15:13:11 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/qa-what-kind-of-handlebars-should-i-use/#comment-22954 I commute on a road bike with drops. I love them, especially when the wind picks up. For comfort put on some thick bar tape and they are nice and soft. I commute on a road bike with drops. I love them, especially when the wind picks up.

For comfort put on some thick bar tape and they are nice and soft.

]]>