4 ms·

It is worth noting that there is a lively sub-culture within the MTB scene (at least in the U.S.) that favor "non-traditional" bar designs. Jeff Jones' bar des

by bmj 5y ago

It is worth noting that there is a lively sub-culture within the MTB scene (at least in the U.S.) that favor "non-traditional" bar designs. Jeff Jones' bar design[0] has become a favorite for bike packers and recreational cyclists. The bar permits a more natural wrist position than the typical riser bar, as well as multiple hand positions. I doubt the design will ever overtake risers (or sweep bars) on the race circuit (which, for better or for worse influence design for most major brands), but I see more and more bikes on the trail with a Jones (or Jones-like) bar. [0] https://www.jonesbikes.com/h-bars/ https://www.jonesbikes.com/h-bars/

et-al 5y ago
Yeah, for longer distances, multiple hand positions are nice for recruiting different muscles (hence the traditional popularity of drop bars for touring). It's interesting the author of the article didn't mention bar-ends returning in the form of inner bar-ends: https://www.sq-lab.com/en/products/innerbarends/sqlab-innerbarends-411.html https://www.sq-lab.com/en/products/innerbarends/sqlab-innerb... Due to MTB handlebars getting extremely wide, having something narrower and in a vertical wrist position helps change things up. Especially if one is riding miles on gentle terrain. Also, endurance riders like Lael Wilcox, who's won the Trans-Am and Tour Divide, are now mounting aerobars, normally found on tri-bikes, on their bikepacking bikes for both aero benefits and to rest the muscles.
- wiredfool 5y ago
  In the 90s I had these funky Scott mountain aero bars that had the typical mountain straight section, a good bar end like extension, then they looped back around to meet in the center for the front part of the aero bars. Forearm cups and all. Don’t remember what they were called, but I wonder if they’ll come back into style.
  - et-al 5y ago
    Butterfly bars? I think most folks can't get past the aesthetics.
    - wiredfool 5y ago
      Found them. Scott at-4 pros. https://www.mtbr.com/threads/modified-scott-at-4-pro-bars-live-to-ride-again.669770/ https://www.mtbr.com/threads/modified-scott-at-4-pro-bars-li... Third pic down with the yellow bar tape, but with the forearm cups on the flat section as well.
      - jmclnx 5y ago
        Those are not butterfly bars, but I remember seeing people with them years ago.
        wiredfool 5y ago
        No, they're not, but they're what I had, and they were quite nice.
    - jmclnx 5y ago
      I just went to butterfly (trekking) bars, replacing my drops on a touring bike. Arthritis on my neck hit me bad, and that change allowed me to ride again. I tried a lot of different bar types after getting arthritis, those are by far the best. But, going fast on a downhill and quick cornering, takes a bit of practice.
- acrispino 5y ago
  He kinda does: Some people like the “inside the grips” bar end set-up as it resembles the popular Velo Orange crazy bar which has an integrated bullhorn section for smoother roads and headwinds. To know if this set-up will work for you, you’ll just have to try. It’s not a popular choice, though. A sort of half-measure is available with TOGS thumb grips.

by bmj 5y ago

et-al 5y ago

Yeah, for longer distances, multiple hand positions are nice for recruiting different muscles (hence the traditional popularity of drop bars for touring). It's interesting the author of the article didn't mention bar-ends returning in the form of inner bar-ends: https://www.sq-lab.com/en/products/innerbarends/sqlab-innerbarends-411.html https://www.sq-lab.com/en/products/innerbarends/sqlab-innerb... Due to MTB handlebars getting extremely wide, having something narrower and in a vertical wrist position helps change things up. Especially if one is riding miles on gentle terrain. Also, endurance riders like Lael Wilcox, who's won the Trans-Am and Tour Divide, are now mounting aerobars, normally found on tri-bikes, on their bikepacking bikes for both aero benefits and to rest the muscles.

wiredfool 5y ago
In the 90s I had these funky Scott mountain aero bars that had the typical mountain straight section, a good bar end like extension, then they looped back around to meet in the center for the front part of the aero bars. Forearm cups and all. Don’t remember what they were called, but I wonder if they’ll come back into style.
- et-al 5y ago
  Butterfly bars? I think most folks can't get past the aesthetics.
  - wiredfool 5y ago
    Found them. Scott at-4 pros. https://www.mtbr.com/threads/modified-scott-at-4-pro-bars-live-to-ride-again.669770/ https://www.mtbr.com/threads/modified-scott-at-4-pro-bars-li... Third pic down with the yellow bar tape, but with the forearm cups on the flat section as well.
    - jmclnx 5y ago
      Those are not butterfly bars, but I remember seeing people with them years ago.
      - wiredfool 5y ago
        No, they're not, but they're what I had, and they were quite nice.
  - jmclnx 5y ago
    I just went to butterfly (trekking) bars, replacing my drops on a touring bike. Arthritis on my neck hit me bad, and that change allowed me to ride again. I tried a lot of different bar types after getting arthritis, those are by far the best. But, going fast on a downhill and quick cornering, takes a bit of practice.
acrispino 5y ago
He kinda does: Some people like the “inside the grips” bar end set-up as it resembles the popular Velo Orange crazy bar which has an integrated bullhorn section for smoother roads and headwinds. To know if this set-up will work for you, you’ll just have to try. It’s not a popular choice, though. A sort of half-measure is available with TOGS thumb grips.