"Road-ish" bar suggestion for a 29er

[Wayne77]

I'm in an odd predicament where I will, for the first time in 10 years be without a roadbike for a 3-4 month period while I'm waiting for my dream custom steel road frame to be built up. It's kind of a group thing we're doing so I won't say builder details until things are finalized. Why won't I have an alternative roadbike during the wait period? Long story...needless to say I'm using funds from the sale of said existing roadbike to help fund this super duper awesome frame that I effing can't wait to get next spring. Luckily this interim period will be over the winter so I should be able to manage my withdrawals.

I do have a good 29er that I can continue to use for commuting, goofing around in the snow & mud, etc. It's got a semi riser bar with 2012 XT hydraulic brakes and shifters. It's not a super wide bar, it's great off-road, but it's not very comfortable for rides more than 1 hr on the road. -I assume due to the wider stance versus my normal 42cm road bars, and single hand position. My plan is to throw a more "road-friendly" yet non fugly bar on there, a road cassette, and narrow slicks to use on the road. Pretty? No. Will it get the job done for my commutes to work? I think so.

Any suggestions for a good semi road-friendly bar for a 31.8 stem that will still accomodate Shimano XT shifters/brake levers? Maybe something a little narrower than the 620mm wide bars I have currently? I'd like to keep it semi aero, maybe more than one hand position, etc. I've heard some mention of dirt drops, but those are meant for road style brakes/shifters right? Definitely don't want to run a clip on aero bar thingy...I'll already be giving up some dignity here, but I just won't go there...

[that guy]

I don't like the Jones bars (http://www.jonesbikes.com/h-bar.html) for off-road use, but they would be pretty nice for a city or touring style setup.

http://www.jonesbikes.com/images/stories/document-images/h10_cutbar_al_gripped.jpg

[Wayne77]

I don't like the Jones bars (http://www.jonesbikes.com/h-bar.html) for off-road use, but they would be pretty nice for a city or touring style setup.

http://www.jonesbikes.com/images/stories/document-images/h10_cutbar_al_gripped.jpg

That looks like an interesting option. I like the ability to use the "extensions" in the middle area to get a little narrower. I'll definitely check these bars out, thanks.

[Marburg]

I don't like the Jones bars (http://www.jonesbikes.com/h-bar.html) for off-road use, but they would be pretty nice for a city or touring style setup.

I'd agree with both sides of this. I have a Titec H-bar (official alu version of Jones bar) on the "hybrid"/kids-in-the-trailer bike and it's great for that use. I've also found it not as nice for proper offroad riding. Hard to say exactly what it is, might be the bike/geometry or just getting used to it.

[sc53]

The bars that used to come on the Salsa Vaya would also work--I think they're called the Woodchippers? They are like the On One Midge. They flare way out at the drops. I like them. Current Vaya comes with the Salsa Cowbell bars which I don't like.
http://www.salsacycles.com/components/woodchipper/

[William]

A few examples of different drop and multi-position bars . Just depends on where you want to go. I think the Woodchippers look like a good option.

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/files/tomac_db10_closer_large_150.jpg

On-One Midge bars
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8Y7zogc96fk/S8CuiR4PbrI/AAAAAAAABXA/d43RazluZm4/s1600/IMG_0312.JPG

Salsa Woddchippers
http://sirenbicycles.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/crush1.jpg

Straight bars with a drop conversion
http://farm1.staticflickr.com/125/318765845_a1334d4360_z.jpg

Ragly-Luxy
http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/ekmps/shops/bikemonger/images/ragley-luxy-offroad-drop-bar-31.8-monster-cross-bar-%5B3%5D-1671-p.jpg

Butterfly Bars
http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/images/hb003NEW.jpg

Mohican multi-position bars
http://www.cyclocamping.com/prodimages/large/MOHICAN%20B-1.jpg





William

[Andrewlcox]

@ William

Nice compilation!

Thanks,
Andy

[keevon]

Remember, any true drop bar is going to require drop-bar shifters and brake levers. The smaller clamp on XT shift/brake levers won't fit.

That said, the "drop bar conversion" posted above might be your best bet if you want to keep the XT hydros.

If not, get some BB7's, Tektro linear pull road levers, and whatever "dirt drop" style bar you like. Might as well commit to the drop-bar 29er thing if you have to ride it all winter.

[Wayne77]

A few examples of different drop and multi-position bars . Just depends on where you want to go. I think the Woodchippers look like a good option.

William

Awesome! Thanks for putting these options together. Very helpful visuals

[stormyClouds]

I have an aluminum Jones Loop bar that I may end up putting up for sale. I love the sweep, but never really use the multiple hand positions.
They are pictured below.
They currently have a set of Paul's thumbies which shift a Jones-modified 6-speed XTR cassette on a CK SS hub. IF you are interested in that whole set up, drop me a line. Cool stuff, I am just going with something a bit more conventional.
Good luck - alt bars are fun!


Loop H-Bar® $380 Titanium (bright hand-brushed), $120 Aluminum (black and silver anodized)
The “Loop” H-Bar has the same hand, stem and brake lever position as the original H-Bar but the cross bar sweeps forward to allow the levers to go behind the cross bar instead of in front. This gives longer uninterrupted hand positions and will allow trigger and grip/twist shifters to fit on the rearward extensions (unlike the original H-bar and the Cut H-bar). The continuous front loop of the bar enhances stiffness and is good for additional aero hand positions and mounting lights, GPS devices etc. Comfort and power and an impressive weight. With the levers in the optimum position the rider is superbly placed for fast riding while still enjoying all the hand positions available. The rearward extensions allow extra leverage and a wider hand position - be it for comfort or power. All H-bars are for a 31.8 stem – the cross tube is now tapered and butted with a 31.8 mm clamp area. The grip tubes on the aluminum version are also butted for strength, and weight savings.

Read More: http://www.jonesbikes.com/h-bar.html#ixzz28uWD4bNf

[Wayne77]

Thank you sir, for the excellent offer!...I'm currently leaning more toward something like those salsa dirt drop bars (& use an old pair of ultegra brifters with BB7's). Butthen I'd have to temporarily shelve my XT hydro brakes, which I absolutely love. I still like the idea of getting some BB7's for a later project. I TOTALLY dig that single speed On One William posted with the dirt drops. That bike would be a blast. Or I'll stay with my current setup and just use slicks, maybe put some ergons on there or something...just need to get through my long comutes with some more hand positions.

Related question: How narrow a tire can you stick on these Stan's Arch wheels? ...maybe a wide slick is the way to go as others have sugegsted. I guess I was thinking that a narrower slick maybe 25-28mm would be a bit faster than a fattie slick.

[William]

Related question: How narrow a tire can you stick on these Stan's Arch wheels? ...maybe a wide slick is the way to go as others have sugegsted. I guess I was thinking that a narrower slick maybe 25-28mm would be a bit faster than a fattie slick.

A set of Fat Boy slicks would do you fine. We used to have a MTB racer come out with us on our training rides, she would use a set of fat boys on her MTB and had no problem staying with us unless she ran out of gear.




William

[that guy]

I wouldn't go narrower than 28. Though 32 wouldn't be much slower either.