Riser bars - possible side effects?
Discussion
I'm trying to make an old MTB more comfortable to ride as it's only used for cycling with the kids and towing a trailgator. The current flat bars mean my neck and wrists ache so I've been looking at changing them for something like this: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/nc-17-tr...
They look ideal but am I going to throw the steering off?
They look ideal but am I going to throw the steering off?
It'll be different and help put your weight back but I've no way of telling if you like it or not though.
I notice that bar's a std/old 1" dia (not oversized 31.8mm), so also look at OnOne Fleegle Pro @ £4.99
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/HBOOFPB/on-one-fleegl...
I notice that bar's a std/old 1" dia (not oversized 31.8mm), so also look at OnOne Fleegle Pro @ £4.99
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/HBOOFPB/on-one-fleegl...
Try flipping the stem or getting a stem with a rise. I did a similar thing with my wifes old MTB which had a very aggressive XC racer riding position. Something like this (assuming it would fit). http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ritchey-comp-30...
P
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Bill said:
paulmon said:
Try flipping the stem P
I have changed my MTB this way - a shorter stem, flipped it to position the bar's centre slightly higher and a little closer to me than the original one, and then I changed the bars for the On-One Og type which enables me to sit more upright. This suits my riding more as I am a social cyclist, most often cycling with my kids and other families.
Another amazing improvement was to replace my grips with the Whyte Ergonomic type, which are simply incredible - to the point where I can't believe they're not fitted as standard on all bikes.
I have a very high rise stem which I intended to only use from time to time when my back was bad but I found myself using it more and more. In fact it's on the bike now and has been for some 12 months now. I don't have a pic but the combination of the Og bar and that stem would probably be similar to that bar you posted. It's very comfortable for me but totally alien to most other riders who like to put more weight over the front wheel.
http://www.electrabike.com/bikes/cruiser?field_mar...
That kind of thing. Feet forward and upright.
There's a whole load of more or less daft stuff running on the back of the rat rod/VW/surf scene too. Some of it is quite cool but no use with a trailgator.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Great-vintage-custom-Ral...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Custom-lowrider-beach-cr...
Looking at the rise and sweep on the current bars I think I'll keep them and get a riser stem.
That kind of thing. Feet forward and upright.
There's a whole load of more or less daft stuff running on the back of the rat rod/VW/surf scene too. Some of it is quite cool but no use with a trailgator.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Great-vintage-custom-Ral...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Custom-lowrider-beach-cr...
Looking at the rise and sweep on the current bars I think I'll keep them and get a riser stem.
OIC
I had a go on an old (1970s I think) chopper-style bike from the US two or three years ago - one with a banana seat and where the crank was quite a way forward. I found it really hard to pedal, especially up even the slightest incline. I know people use them on boulevards, near to the seafront, so maybe they're OK there. For normal UK riding I think I'd stick with something more conventional.
I suspect I'd have similar issues riding a recumbent. I'm so used to my weight being over the pedals, my leg muscles didn't cope very well trying to pedal with that type of bike.
That said, I used to have one of these around 1979/1980:
Although the crank is slightly forward, I used this bike for around a year, riding all day long. I must have travelled hundreds of miles on it even though I was only 12yo at the time. Oh how I wish I had my 12yo legs these days.
I had a go on an old (1970s I think) chopper-style bike from the US two or three years ago - one with a banana seat and where the crank was quite a way forward. I found it really hard to pedal, especially up even the slightest incline. I know people use them on boulevards, near to the seafront, so maybe they're OK there. For normal UK riding I think I'd stick with something more conventional.
I suspect I'd have similar issues riding a recumbent. I'm so used to my weight being over the pedals, my leg muscles didn't cope very well trying to pedal with that type of bike.
That said, I used to have one of these around 1979/1980:
Although the crank is slightly forward, I used this bike for around a year, riding all day long. I must have travelled hundreds of miles on it even though I was only 12yo at the time. Oh how I wish I had my 12yo legs these days.
MC Bodge said:
On-One Mary bars are suoerbly comfortable. I have them on my single speed.
I've one of those too on my city bike. I find the angle a little too great and the bar a little too narrow. It's not bad though and loved them until I bought the Og bar which had all the advantages of the Mary bar but just a little "more". Hard to quantify...Watchman said:
MC Bodge said:
On-One Mary bars are suoerbly comfortable. I have them on my single speed.
I've one of those too on my city bike. I find the angle a little too great and the bar a little too narrow. It's not bad though and loved them until I bought the Og bar which had all the advantages of the Mary bar but just a little "more". Hard to quantify...ps. I wouldn't want too wide a bar for a bike for urban areas.
I use this on my h/t - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/bbb-bhp-22-steerer-tube-ex...
MC Bodge said:
Watchman said:
MC Bodge said:
On-One Mary bars are suoerbly comfortable. I have them on my single speed.
I've one of those too on my city bike. I find the angle a little too great and the bar a little too narrow. It's not bad though and loved them until I bought the Og bar which had all the advantages of the Mary bar but just a little "more". Hard to quantify...ps. I wouldn't want too wide a bar for a bike for urban areas.
I think this is very pertinent. The Og is suitable for the MTB but I wouldn't want to be threading between cars with it. I like that my Mary is the same colour as my wheels too.
#seriouslyscreweduppriorities
Watchman said:
Another amazing improvement was to replace my grips with the Whyte Ergonomic type, which are simply incredible - to the point where I can't believe they're not fitted as standard on all bikes.
For the same reason racing cars don't have fluffy steering wheel covers; they provide comfort for soft hands at the expense of performance... and they look preposterous.
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