How do you feel about moustache bars? (Also, post your moustache bar conversion.)
#1
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Thread Starter
How do you feel about moustache bars? (Also, post your moustache bar conversion.)
So I picked up an '87 Miyata 312 not really knowing whether it'd be a flipper or a keeper. I know it's not high end, but I have a soft spot for Miyatas. I've got a few other vintage road bikes, so I was planning on turning this one into a more casual comfortable, yet sporty bike.
The colour scheme is the same as the one below (not my bike), and I'm thinking it'd look nice with some white wrapped moustache bars (side note - where can I get some white tape that won't look grimy after 3 rides?). I think I once read I'll need a shorter stem than with drops, anyone know by how much?
Anyway I've exhausted google images and I'm in the mood to see some pretty bikes with moustache bars. If you've got one, post it!!
The colour scheme is the same as the one below (not my bike), and I'm thinking it'd look nice with some white wrapped moustache bars (side note - where can I get some white tape that won't look grimy after 3 rides?). I think I once read I'll need a shorter stem than with drops, anyone know by how much?
Anyway I've exhausted google images and I'm in the mood to see some pretty bikes with moustache bars. If you've got one, post it!!
#2
Senior Member
Bike Ribbon's padded tape in white holds up extremely well, is easy to clean, and is inexpensive. I would highly recommend it if you want to go with white on a bike you ride a lot.
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#3
This might encourage you:
Found in this thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...a-Triple-Cross
Found in this thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...a-Triple-Cross
#4
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Thread Starter
^ Yup, that's look I'm going for. Non aero brakes & bar end shifters. Only thing I would change is that tall stem.
It's got 27" wheels (aluminum, so I won't be changing them anytime soon), so I may even look for a CX 1-1/4 tire to make it a bike more rail trail/fire road friendly.
It's got 27" wheels (aluminum, so I won't be changing them anytime soon), so I may even look for a CX 1-1/4 tire to make it a bike more rail trail/fire road friendly.
Last edited by not_me; 06-14-12 at 07:15 AM.
#6
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I like them for city bike builds
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My 1978 Motobecane Grand Jubilee and my Legnano Gran Premio, both fitted with mustache bars and Barcon shifters...
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#9
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I found a set that I'm in the process of building up. The ones I got from Soma are mtb diameter so I'm using 8 speed LX integrated shift/brake levers on the flats and the plan is to put interrupter levers where most people put their road brake levers. The idea being it can be used for cruising around town, but can also be used to be a bit more aero if one wants to while descending for example and still use the brakes. Either it'll be cool or really dumb, ugly, and ineffective, and I'm not 100% sure which. First I've got to finish painting the bike.
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#10
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I don't like them yet. They're on my Surly Cross Check, and I don't get as many positions as I expected. Perhaps it's the wrong type of bike. Or perhaps I'd like them better if they were higher or closer. I can't tell. I'm very bent over on them, which is unsuitable for in-town rides. And the bike is too heavy for a long ride. Help!
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I tried them for about a year, and they don't really do much for me either. Same problem I had--not as many positions.
#12
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I like 'em flipped.
#13
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Some real nice bikes here guys!! Think I'm definitely gonna go for em. If they don't work for me I can always just sell em. I have too many drop bar bikes, and my commuter has VO porteurs with a long stem, so I figure moustache with a short stem will feel fairly similar when riding at the bends.
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I don't like them yet. They're on my Surly Cross Check, and I don't get as many positions as I expected. Perhaps it's the wrong type of bike. Or perhaps I'd like them better if they were higher or closer. I can't tell. I'm very bent over on them, which is unsuitable for in-town rides. And the bike is too heavy for a long ride. Help!
Last edited by jim hughes; 06-14-12 at 02:54 PM.
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I found a set that I'm in the process of building up. The ones I got from Soma are mtb diameter so I'm using 8 speed LX integrated shift/brake levers on the flats and the plan is to put interrupter levers where most people put their road brake levers. The idea being it can be used for cruising around town, but can also be used to be a bit more aero if one wants to while descending for example and still use the brakes. Either it'll be cool or really dumb, ugly, and ineffective, and I'm not 100% sure which. First I've got to finish painting the bike.
#18
Senior Member
Soma makes them for both road and mtb diameter, and I was especially pleased to find them. It's supposed to be a townie build (mixte frame) for my wife and I didn't want to introduce bar ends. Trigger shifters with an indicator of what gear she's in should be a definite upgrade from the grip shifters on the cheap x-mart mtb she uses now.
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#19
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I've tried to like them numerous times, but have failed each time. I've tried with short stems & long stems. The only way I liked them ok was flipped. But when they are flipped they are basically a North Road bar with the brake lever in the wrong place.
Like Tom, they don't offer the hand positions for me and I like riding on the flat portion of a drop bar sometimes and they don't have this option.
YMMV. I've got a set I'd gladly let go of for cheap.
Like Tom, they don't offer the hand positions for me and I like riding on the flat portion of a drop bar sometimes and they don't have this option.
YMMV. I've got a set I'd gladly let go of for cheap.
#20
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Personally, I prefer the Trekking (Butterfly) bars to Moustache- very similar, but you get the addition of a second set of parallel bars for extra positions.
I found that I rarely road actually in the drops on my drop bars, so having that portion curve back rather than down worked really well for me. You have a forward position for more spread riding, a back position for more relaxed riding, the side position gives a lot of leverage on climbs, and then you have inside/outside curves at two different lengths.
It really lets me move around a lot while I'm riding, and all the positions work well for city riding.
I found that I rarely road actually in the drops on my drop bars, so having that portion curve back rather than down worked really well for me. You have a forward position for more spread riding, a back position for more relaxed riding, the side position gives a lot of leverage on climbs, and then you have inside/outside curves at two different lengths.
It really lets me move around a lot while I'm riding, and all the positions work well for city riding.
#21
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I don't doubt they're comfortable, but I'm vain and think they look far to dorky. Plus, I rarely ride my road bikes with my hand on the flats, so having the brakes in that position doesn't make sense for my riding style.
#22
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i just recently installed some on my around town bike. good for cruising. i'll get a photo uploaded here later today.
Last edited by brooklyn_bike; 06-14-12 at 01:15 PM.
#24
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I find having the ends curve back around lends to a lot "cleaner" look than more abrupt bar ends of the moustache or drop bars.
I've seen lots of very interesting things done with brake positions on them too.
#25
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I bought three sets dirt cheap on sale at Nashbar a while back. I am building my first mustache bar bike, a mixte, we'll see how it goes.