jade408

So I want to swap my handlebars, I think.

Here is my bike.

Right now I have the VO Left Bank bars. They look great. Work well in the standard position. But sometimes I'd like more leverage for a hill. And the only alternate hand position is the flat part in the front. And it feels a bit strange since the bars have quite a bit of rise. Steering is hard from that vantage point.

I still want upright bars, and it seems like some of the North Road like ones have a potentially good alternate hand position at the curve or the bar. And maybe the front.

Since those pics were taken I have swapped my shifter and brake levers. I dropped my bars about 1 cm and they are even with my seat now.

Wants:

• Long enough grip area for my brakes, shifter and grips (15 cm I think is enough)
• Good sweep back, at least 15CM
• Less rise than my current bars, if the front is the best alternate spot to hold
• Not too wide, like the width of my current bars
• One more hand position, don't need to access all controls from position #2

My shoulder width is like 40cm (self-measured), so I like narrower bars. I don't like the wider upright bars at all, I do not find them comfy after 4 miles or so.

So right now I am thinking Nitto Dove, Nitto All Around, Nitto Albatross, Soma Oxford. These all have the right look, and I think reasonable grip area.

I like that the Doves are narrower (52cm). Don't like that I can't swap to the bar ends if they are ever back in stock anywhere.

The Albatross' seem pretty wide at 55cm, 5cm wider than my current bars. Worried about that being too wide and less maneuverable in tight spots. I like that they seem to go more straight back.

Soma Oxford seems like the Albatross, but the grip area looks a little shorter, and the bars flare more.

The Nitto All Arounders are nice and narrow at 49CM, but I can't seem to find a good angle to figure out the rise.

Are there bars I am missing? Should I try something else? What do you think?

willydstyle

How about Velo Orange Porteurs? They have a mild rise and a sharp backwards sweep and are fairly narrow.

bulldog1935

The bar with the most hand position options is Jones H-bar.
I'm happy with my Ahearne Map bar and their single hand position (same sweep as the Jones H)

gomango

Maybe MAP/Ahearnes would work?

Ahearne+Map Handlebar ? Ahearne Cycles

jade408

I like the porteurs. Wondering if they have enough space! I wonder if they are in stock nearby so I play around with them a bit. Looks like they are about 2 cm shorter in the grip than my current bars, but the fronts look like a nice position.

The Jones H bar has lots of positions but would be hard to manuever in around my streets! Is probably great if you have wider shoulders than I!

The MAP/Ahearne are shaped nicely but pretty wide! Maybe I should look at the SOMA Sparrows. They have some narrower options. Any one use those?

*Update
I finally see some info on grip area. Looks like it is 15.5cm in the narrower ones. And the shap puts the alternate hand position at the top closer than my Left Banks. Will see if I can find these in a store. This looks good if my hands fit in the front bends!

jeirvine 

Or maybe the Velo Orange Crazy Bar.

bulldog1935

it would require shortening your stem reach and extending the height, but have you thought about moustache bars? (Or Rivendell's Albastache)
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