Handlebar Setups

On May 21, 1:33 pm, JesseHattabaugh <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I'm thinking about shifter/brake lever/handlebar combinations lately,
and I have some questions. I'm a tourer, so aerodynamic positions are
less important than ergonomics. I like my drops, especially with ergo
bumps, but I'm not averse to flat bars with horns, or even mustache
bars. As far as the controls go, I prefer simplicity and durability
(bar-end, downtube, or thumb) over ultimate convenience (brifters),
but I don't really have a preference there either. I've read many
discussions about the pros and cons of each of these individual
components (drops vs flat, down-tube vs barcons, etc etc) but I have
heard less discussion about the combinations of these parts (i.e.
drops with brifters, versus drops with brakes in the drop and on top
as well.) I'd especially like hearing about unique setups, like drop
bars with thumb shifters for example. I guess what I'd consider to be
ideal are bars with the greatest number of hand positions in which I
still have ready access to the brakes and shifters. What do you think?
Tell me about your favorite setups and list the pros and cons.

As an example, I'm currently running wide ergo drop bars with suntour
bar-ends and traditional old aluminum brake levers. I find the brake
levers hard to use from the hoods, so I have to stay in the drops.
This is usually fine since the drops are the best place to get to the
bar-ends. However, I often find myself wishing for some auxiliary
levers for when I'm riding on the top. When I'm riding on the top, I
don't find the bar-ends to be all that much more accessible than posts
would be, and they also seem to receive a lot of abuse due to their
position. I often worry that one will snap off if my bike falls over
loaded. Every time my bike gets laid down (not that that should
happen, but accidents do) the bar-ends come out covered in dirt.

Pros:
Compatible with lots of derailleurs and brake setups
Cheap as they come
Shifters on handlebars are convenient

Cons:
Sometimes shifters get accidentally hit by knees
Brake levers only really usable from one position
Shifters only really at hand when you're in the drops and even then
you have to take your hand from the brake lever to use them
Potentially harmful position for shifters

In the future I think I'll try drops with aero brake levers, auxiliary
levers up top, and either bar-ends or thumb shifters.

On May 21, 4:33 pm, JesseHattabaugh <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I'm thinking about shifter/brake lever/handlebar combinations lately,
and I have some questions. I'm a tourer, so aerodynamic positions are
less important than ergonomics. I like my drops, especially with ergo
bumps, but I'm not averse to flat bars with horns, or even mustache
bars. As far as the controls go, I prefer simplicity and durability
(bar-end, downtube, or thumb) over ultimate convenience (brifters),
but I don't really have a preference there either. I've read many
discussions about the pros and cons of each of these individual
components (drops vs flat, down-tube vs barcons, etc etc) but I have
heard less discussion about the combinations of these parts (i.e.
drops with brifters, versus drops with brakes in the drop and on top
as well.) I'd especially like hearing about unique setups, like drop
bars with thumb shifters for example. I guess what I'd consider to be
ideal are bars with the greatest number of hand positions in which I
still have ready access to the brakes and shifters. What do you think?
Tell me about your favorite setups and list the pros and cons.

I have been using a dirt-drop knockoff for commuting, called the Gary
Bar by Origin8. It's made by Kalloy and is very similar to On-One's
Midge bar, here: http://tinyurl.com/85cxd

These are really comfortable bars. I'm not using them on a geared
bike, but if I were I'd think they'd go great with bar-end shifters
and regular road brake levers. Enough room to ride the tops, and very
comfortable in the drops. With road brake levers you'd have another
hand position there as well.

Not great in traffic due to the width, but probably not an issue for
touring. Nice compromise between road drops and moustache bars.

On May 21, 4:51 pm, JesseHattabaugh <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

On May 21, 1:33 pm, JesseHattabaugh <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I'm thinking about shifter/brake lever/handlebar combinations lately,
and I have some questions. I'm a tourer, so aerodynamic positions are
less important than ergonomics. I like my drops, especially with ergo
bumps, but I'm not averse to flat bars with horns, or even mustache
bars. As far as the controls go, I prefer simplicity and durability
(bar-end, downtube, or thumb) over ultimate convenience (brifters),
but I don't really have a preference there either. I've read many
discussions about the pros and cons of each of these individual
components (drops vs flat, down-tube vs barcons, etc etc) but I have
heard less discussion about the combinations of these parts (i.e.
drops with brifters, versus drops with brakes in the drop and on top
as well.) I'd especially like hearing about unique setups, like drop
bars with thumb shifters for example. I guess what I'd consider to be
ideal are bars with the greatest number of hand positions in which I
still have ready access to the brakes and shifters. What do you think?
Tell me about your favorite setups and list the pros and cons.

As an example, I'm currently running wide ergo drop bars with suntour
bar-ends and traditional old aluminum brake levers. I find the brake
levers hard to use from the hoods, so I have to stay in the drops.
This is usually fine since the drops are the best place to get to the
bar-ends. However, I often find myself wishing for some auxiliary
levers for when I'm riding on the top.

I'd install some in-line tops levers and upgrade your brake levers to
something like the super comfy Tektro R200A. You can get both for $50,
not a lot of cabbage to try it out.

I like barends or downtube shifters as they're so reliable and cheap.
I had a rapidfire setup on an urban bike last year and just couldn't
get into it. Mainly it was just LOUD and annoying.

You might even want to look into those bizarre Modolo shifters as an
alternative. They're 90 bucks at Nashbar right now. Work with anything
'cept 10 speed.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=5329
http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/controls/shifters/modolo/PRD_131605_2511crx.aspx

I think regular drops are more comfy on long trips than moustache
bars. I like moustache bars, but for city bikes, not touring.

On May 21, 1:33 pm, JesseHattabaugh <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I'm thinking about shifter/brake lever/handlebar combinations lately,
and I have some questions. I'm a tourer, so aerodynamic positions are
less important than ergonomics. I like my drops, especially with ergo
bumps, but I'm not averse to flat bars with horns, or even mustache
bars. As far as the controls go, I prefer simplicity and durability
(bar-end, downtube, or thumb) over ultimate convenience (brifters),
but I don't really have a preference there either. I've read many
discussions about the pros and cons of each of these individual
components (drops vs flat, down-tube vs barcons, etc etc) but I have
heard less discussion about the combinations of these parts (i.e.
drops with brifters, versus drops with brakes in the drop and on top
as well.) I'd especially like hearing about unique setups, like drop
bars with thumb shifters for example. I guess what I'd consider to be
ideal are bars with the greatest number of hand positions in which I
still have ready access to the brakes and shifters. What do you think?
Tell me about your favorite setups and list the pros and cons.

I just came across these little oddities:

http://img2.travelblog.org/Photos/39/50753/f/305463-Take-Command-of-your-Shifts-0.jpg

SunTour Command shifters. They look just crazy enough to work. Anyone
ever tried them?

JesseHattabaugh said:

I'm thinking about shifter/brake lever/handlebar combinations lately,
and I have some questions. I'm a tourer, so aerodynamic positions are
less important than ergonomics. I like my drops, especially with ergo
bumps, but I'm not averse to flat bars with horns, or even mustache
bars. As far as the controls go, I prefer simplicity and durability
(bar-end, downtube, or thumb) over ultimate convenience (brifters),
but I don't really have a preference there either. I've read many
discussions about the pros and cons of each of these individual
components (drops vs flat, down-tube vs barcons, etc etc) but I have
heard less discussion about the combinations of these parts (i.e.
drops with brifters, versus drops with brakes in the drop and on top
as well.) I'd especially like hearing about unique setups, like drop
bars with thumb shifters for example. I guess what I'd consider to be
ideal are bars with the greatest number of hand positions in which I
still have ready access to the brakes and shifters. What do you think?
Tell me about your favorite setups and list the pros and cons.

I'm running a Salsa Bel Lap drop with 105 STI brifters. The bottom
drop part of the bars kick to the outside a few degrees and give the
brifters some added protection in a crash. Fi'zi:k gel underlayer with
Bontrager bar tape. I like the multiple hand positions of the dropped
bar. The rig runs around 275 lbs total rider/pannier/bike when loaded
and I have to constantly shift this thing in rolling terrain, hence
the brifters are ideal for me. For insurance, I carry a set of bar
cons and cables in the tool pack just in case of damage.

On May 21, 6:45 pm, JesseHattabaugh <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

On May 21, 1:33 pm, JesseHattabaugh <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I'm thinking about shifter/brake lever/handlebar combinations lately,
and I have some questions. I'm a tourer, so aerodynamic positions are
less important than ergonomics. I like my drops, especially with ergo
bumps, but I'm not averse to flat bars with horns, or even mustache
bars. As far as the controls go, I prefer simplicity and durability
(bar-end, downtube, or thumb) over ultimate convenience (brifters),
but I don't really have a preference there either. I've read many
discussions about the pros and cons of each of these individual
components (drops vs flat, down-tube vs barcons, etc etc) but I have
heard less discussion about the combinations of these parts (i.e.
drops with brifters, versus drops with brakes in the drop and on top
as well.) I'd especially like hearing about unique setups, like drop
bars with thumb shifters for example. I guess what I'd consider to be
ideal are bars with the greatest number of hand positions in which I
still have ready access to the brakes and shifters. What do you think?
Tell me about your favorite setups and list the pros and cons.

I just came across these little oddities:

http://img2.travelblog.org/Photos/39/50753/f/305463-Take-Command-of-y...

SunTour Command shifters. They look just crazy enough to work. Anyone
ever tried them?-

Command shifters were a good idea, IMO, and could have been a viable
alternative to the dominance of brake/shift levers (Ergo, STI,
etc.).However, they were rushed to market by a dying Suntour company
and never were fully developed.

A good modern alternative is the Kelly Take Off:

http://www.kellybike.com/takeoffs.html

You use these with the DT or Barend levers of *your* choice.

On May 21, 6:45 pm, JesseHattabaugh <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

On May 21, 1:33 pm, JesseHattabaugh <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I'm thinking about shifter/brake lever/handlebar combinations lately,
and I have some questions. I'm a tourer, so aerodynamic positions are
less important than ergonomics. I like my drops, especially with ergo
bumps, but I'm not averse to flat bars with horns, or even mustache
bars. As far as the controls go, I prefer simplicity and durability
(bar-end, downtube, or thumb) over ultimate convenience (brifters),
but I don't really have a preference there either. I've read many
discussions about the pros and cons of each of these individual
components (drops vs flat, down-tube vs barcons, etc etc) but I have
heard less discussion about the combinations of these parts (i.e.
drops with brifters, versus drops with brakes in the drop and on top
as well.) I'd especially like hearing about unique setups, like drop
bars with thumb shifters for example. I guess what I'd consider to be
ideal are bars with the greatest number of hand positions in which I
still have ready access to the brakes and shifters. What do you think?
Tell me about your favorite setups and list the pros and cons.

I just came across these little oddities:

http://img2.travelblog.org/Photos/39/50753/f/305463-Take-Command-of-y...

SunTour Command shifters. They look just crazy enough to work. Anyone
ever tried them?-

Command shifters were a good idea, IMO, and could have been a viable
alternative to the dominance of brake/shift levers (Ergo, STI,
etc.).However, they were rushed to market by a dying Suntour company
and never were fully developed.

A good modern alternative is the Kelly Take Off:

http://www.kellybike.com/takeoffs.html

You use these with the DT or Barend levers of *your* choice.

Ozark Bicycle said:

On May 21, 6:45 pm, JesseHattabaugh <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

On May 21, 1:33 pm, JesseHattabaugh <[email hidden]>
wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'm thinking about shifter/brake lever/handlebar combinations lately,
and I have some questions. I'm a tourer, so aerodynamic positions are
less important than ergonomics. I like my drops, especially with ergo
bumps, but I'm not averse to flat bars with horns, or even mustache
bars. As far as the controls go, I prefer simplicity and durability
(bar-end, downtube, or thumb) over ultimate convenience (brifters),
but I don't really have a preference there either. I've read many
discussions about the pros and cons of each of these individual
components (drops vs flat, down-tube vs barcons, etc etc) but I have
heard less discussion about the combinations of these parts (i.e.
drops with brifters, versus drops with brakes in the drop and on top
as well.) I'd especially like hearing about unique setups, like drop
bars with thumb shifters for example. I guess what I'd consider to be
ideal are bars with the greatest number of hand positions in which I
still have ready access to the brakes and shifters. What do you think?
Tell me about your favorite setups and list the pros and cons.

Quoted message said:

I just came across these little oddities:

Quoted message said:

http://img2.travelblog.org/Photos/39/50753/f/305463-Take-Command-of-y...

Quoted message said:

SunTour Command shifters. They look just crazy enough to work. Anyone
ever tried them?-

Command shifters were a good idea, IMO, and could have been a viable
alternative to the dominance of brake/shift levers (Ergo, STI,
etc.).However, they were rushed to market by a dying Suntour company
and never were fully developed.

A good modern alternative is the Kelly Take Off:

http://www.kellybike.com/takeoffs.html

You use these with the DT or Barend levers of *your* choice.

Those Take Offs look pretty nice. Have you used them personally, or
read any reviews of their use? I've seen barcons used as thumbies by a
similar kit, and I wonder how easy they are to use. Definitely worth a
look!

On May 22, 12:02 pm, JesseHattabaugh <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

On May 22, 4:24 am, Ozark Bicycle

Quoted message said:

On May 21, 6:45 pm, JesseHattabaugh <[email hidden]>
wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

On May 21, 1:33 pm, JesseHattabaugh <[email hidden]>
wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> I'm thinking about shifter/brake lever/handlebar combinations lately,
> and I have some questions. I'm a tourer, so aerodynamic positions are
> less important than ergonomics. I like my drops, especially with ergo
> bumps, but I'm not averse to flat bars with horns, or even mustache
> bars. As far as the controls go, I prefer simplicity and durability
> (bar-end, downtube, or thumb) over ultimate convenience (brifters),
> but I don't really have a preference there either. I've read many
> discussions about the pros and cons of each of these individual
> components (drops vs flat, down-tube vs barcons, etc etc) but I have
> heard less discussion about the combinations of these parts (i.e.
> drops with brifters, versus drops with brakes in the drop and on top
> as well.) I'd especially like hearing about unique setups, like drop
> bars with thumb shifters for example. I guess what I'd consider to be
> ideal are bars with the greatest number of hand positions in which I
> still have ready access to the brakes and shifters. What do you think?
> Tell me about your favorite setups and list the pros and cons.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I just came across these little oddities:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

http://img2.travelblog.org/Photos/39/50753/f/305463-Take-Command-of-y...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

SunTour Command shifters. They look just crazy enough to work. Anyone
ever tried them?-

Quoted message said:

Command shifters were a good idea, IMO, and could have been a viable
alternative to the dominance of brake/shift levers (Ergo, STI,
etc.).However, they were rushed to market by a dying Suntour company
and never were fully developed.

Quoted message said:

A good modern alternative is the Kelly Take Off:

Quoted message said:

http://www.kellybike.com/takeoffs.html

Quoted message said:

You use these with the DT or Barend levers of *your* choice.

Those Take Offs look pretty nice. Have you used them personally, or
read any reviews of their use?

I have them one one of my bikes. Given your desire for auxiliary brake
levers, the Take Offs might be a good choice over the barends you now
have.

These days, I have the Take Offs on one bike, indexed barends on
another and thumbshifters with auxiliary brake levers on a third. IMO,
the aux brake levers and thumb shifters are a good choice for a bike
that sees you riding the bar tops alot. The Take Offs give the
convenience of "brifters" without the downsides. I still like the
barends, too. Variety is good!

Quoted message said:

I've seen barcons used as thumbies by a
similar kit, and I wonder how easy they are to use. Definitely worth a
look!

"JesseHattabaugh" <[email hidden]> a écrit:

Quoted message said:

Those Take Offs look pretty nice. Have you used them
personally, or read any reviews of their use?

I find them less ergonomic than bar-ons. They work well from the hoods
pushing with the thumb, but coming back the other way, you have to reach
across the hood to pull the lever back, which I find awkward.

Haven't Kelly shut up shop though?

James Thomson

James Thomson said:

"JesseHattabaugh" <[email hidden]> a écrit:

Quoted message said:

Those Take Offs look pretty nice. Have you used them
personally, or read any reviews of their use?

I find them less ergonomic than bar-ons. They work well from the hoods
pushing with the thumb, but coming back the other way, you have to reach
across the hood to pull the lever back, which I find awkward.

Haven't Kelly shut up shop though?

Take Offs are still available at this time (Kelly has a "store" on
eBay).

But, yes, it appears they are closing up and going out.

landotter said:

I think regular drops are more comfy on long trips than moustache
bars. I like moustache bars, but for city bikes, not touring.

Could you enlarge on that?

I used to ride cut-offs, because I found I was never using the drop
ends. That gave a nice position for barcons, but I never found a
really good solution for brake level position. Recently I smitched to
an On One mungo bar, which is a moustache with a very slight drop, and
have found it very comfortable and stable. I haven't done any long
trips on it yet, though. Main riding position is palms flat on the
sides of the hoods, with the little finger behind the brake lever. The
normal barcon position is more accessible that on drops, because my
hand just go backwards along the bar without having to drop down. I'm
sure Shimano brifters would work well too, bt I've never heard of them
being used on a bar like this.

Two tips no matter what shape your bars.

Pad them with tubular polyethene foam pipe lagging (also found in some
draught excluders) It's cheap,wears well, and slide straight on.

Sew a tape loop to the front of you bar bag. When battling headwinds
on lonely roads, slip your thus in there and rest your forearms on the
bars and the bag top. Who needs aerobars?

JennyB said:

landotter said:

I think regular drops are more comfy on long trips than moustache
bars. I like moustache bars, but for city bikes, not touring.

Could you enlarge on that?

Certainly. With regular drops you get far more variation of position.
You get tops, curves, flats in front of the levers, hoods, hooks, and
drop flats. With moustache bars you give up a couple of those
positions. You do get the muscular pull of the wide position of the
flats, but those flats are usually too wide for ergonomic comfort on
long rides. Wide can be nice, but too wide is too much of a good thing.