Suggestions for town bike handlebar ?

[tuscanyswe]

So my now 80 year old dad wants me to find him a new flat bar instead of his current nitto drop bars.

I would ideally like to find something that has a bit of upward sweep as well as a moderate backwards sweep towards saddle. Preferably nice looking in silver.

I personally know very little of such bars, any suggestions? Thanks!

[Davist]

http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/components/handlebars.html

Velo Orange has some variety, Rivendell does, too, but not as much as I remembered.. VO link

[PacNW2Ford]

I like the MAP/Ahearne bars.

[etu]

nittto albatross or bosco bars - wide, stable and well made
might need a shim for proper fit from 25.4 to 26

https://www.rivbike.com/collections/handlebars-stems/products/nitto-albatross-bar-cromo-55cm-x-25-4

[tuscanyswe]

Thanks guys.

I wonder what a bar like this would feel like on a road bike set up with veloce flat bar levers. Probably still better than now tho i guess regardless of effect on handling.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/737/32767628550_743e061695_b.jpg

[bluesea]

26mm or 31.8mm?

edit: probably 26mm to replace the Nitto, right?

[tuscanyswe]

26mm or 31.8mm?

edit: probably 26mm to replace the Nitto, right?

Good point. 26 would be my guess also. Have to check if they come in another width than 26?
Edit: Yeah velo orange stem 26mm on there now with the nitto bars so i guess i will need new stem also for that pictured handlebar at least that is 25.4. Well or a shim.

[weisan]

Thanks guys.

I wonder what a bar like this would feel like on a road bike set up with veloce flat bar levers. Probably still better than now tho i guess regardless of effect on handling.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/737/32767628550_743e061695_b.jpg

I am a big fan of handlebars like that. I used it on my commuter bike that I rode regularly on the gravel trails during lunch time and found the handlebar provided me with great control.

Here's my commuter bike converted to 650b tires.
It may not look it or score low on style points but it's such a fun bike to ride on, versatile too.

http://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1697918695&stc=1&d=1460931927

[MRB]

...I wonder what a bar like this would feel like on a road bike set up with veloce flat bar levers....


In my experience, not having a variety of hand positons (hands on grips only) results in sore hands as well as wrist pain... To compensate you might consider adding some bar-ends (cow horns) with grips/tape to give to allow for a variety of hand positions.

HTH

[tuscanyswe]

That does idd looks useful Weisanpal.
I guess thats what dad really needs, not a looker that he doesn't enjoy riding..

So i will pair that bar to this and it will be okay i think.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3462/3981114549_4ff4d05ca2_z.jpg?zz=1

MRB: I agree i dont like flatbars for that reason other if I'm going to do some distance on the bike but dad will now only ride such short rides around town that i dont think those would help much and i also like to keep his hands close to the brake levers if i can force that :)

[gpendergast]

No rise but these have the most wrist-friendly sweep I've ever used. Great for cruising around town.

Nitto B2522 (Jitensha)

[bluesea]

That does idd looks useful Weisanpal.
I guess thats what dad really needs, not a looker that he doesn't enjoy riding..

So i will pair that bar to this and it will be okay i think.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3462/3981114549_4ff4d05ca2_z.jpg?zz=1

MRB: I agree i dont like flatbars for that reason other if I'm going to do some distance on the bike but dad will now only ride such short rides around town that i dont think those would help much and i also like to keep his hands close to the brake levers if i can force that :)



That's your Dad's bike? That guy is awesome.

[Fatty]

That's your Dad's bike? That guy is awesome.

I know right. I want to ride with him.

[weisan]

Me too!

:D

Also, if possible, get the "fattest" possible tires that will fit on that bike.

The platform pedal that you have there is fine but be sure to ask his feeback after a couple of rides...whether he is hitting them (get bruised or drawing blood). If he is, get a softer rubber type pedal.

With the new handlebar, he will be putting more pressure on his bottom, do check with him to make sure the saddle or the sitting position is still comfortable after some riding time.

[tuscanyswe]

Umm well its me who is the bike nut in the family he and my brothers are just subject on which i enforce my madness. I built that bike for him some years ago and its time for an update.

He is lively for an 80 year old man but he does not do "rides" like one would mean if said on here anymore, or much at all tbh. But yeah his bike is cool and so is he ! :D


No rise but these have the most wrist-friendly sweep I've ever used. Great for cruising around town.

Nitto B2522 (Jitensha)

Thats real nice but he will need the upward sweep, i think at least. Will ponder my options. Thanks!

[classtimesailer]

Input Soma Oxford bars on my Milwaukee. Consider your shifter situation. Some bars wont take bar ends.

[tuscanyswe]

Nice looking bike and good advice, thanks. I allrdy purchased some campy flat bar veloce levers so no bar end shifters this time.
Thanks all for good suggestions as always! Dad is getting some v/o tourist bars as they appeared on ebay uk for a good price.

[bicycletricycle]

Jitensha for 26mm- no rise, short grip area, nice to wrap the middle for an extra position, a nice look for a road bike, not too cruiser looking.

map ahearne for 25.4- slight rise, more sweep back, longer grip area, nice handlebar, barely beach cruiser looking, still look good on road bike

VO milano- similar to above MAP bar, cheaper

Rivendell Bosco norm- 25.4, lots of sweep back for most upright possible, not too much rise, sort of a flat beach cruider bar, I have not ridden these.


I have ridden/owned a lot of city bars, I think the MAP are the most solid option but I really like the jitenshas as well, I usually only run them on down tube shifter bikes because of the short grip area.

nitto makes thing shims to convert 25.4 to 26.0, they can be difficult to install but work great

[sirskialot22]

Just looking here for some inspiration for my own flat bar commuter build - dimension has two decent shapes, the urban cruiser, and the high rise, and they are nice and inexpensive if you want to try them on for size.

[GOTHBROOKS]

the shop i used to work at was a heavy specialized dealer. these were some takeoffs from one of those globe 3 speeds. i dont work at that shop anymore or know if globe is even a specialized line anymore, but they fit an old 3ttt quill and feel lighter than the wald bars i was using prior.
http://theradavist.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Tylers-Mystery-Machine-22-1335x890.jpg
http://theradavist.com/2016/05/tylers-mystery-machine/

[weisan]

http://alicehui.com/bike/Weigle/IMG_4506.jpg