steltz02

Hello touring folks.

I'm setting up a couple of bikes for long distance loaded touring.

Both bikes have been equipped with butterfly/trekking bars. The next question is setup.

I know alot depends on reach distance, preferences, etc. etc., but what is YOUR preferred configuration for shifters and brakes on your tourer and why?



or



or some other option?

Also on long distance touring is it beneficial to have a highly adjustable stem (both height and angle), or once you dial it in, is one configuration typically good enough?

Thanks for your input.

Ride on!!

bradtx

steltz02, In general I think that with any new set up there will be frequent adjustments whose frequency will taper off with saddle time into that ideal fit. An adjustable stem can be an asset.

Brad

gregw

I have set them up both ways and didn't like either. For me the controls have to be in my optimum riding position and straight horizontal isn't optimal. Just not a natural position for me. So I switched to traditional touring bars with a swept back angle. Added a couple bar ends for a more stretched out option. This has worked great for me. Just something to consider.

VT_Speed_TR

Here is how I set up my butterfly bars. I ride mostly on the cork grips and outboard curve, so I wanted the brake.shift controls close.

djyak

That's the same setup I have, brakes and shifters close, and my bar is almost flat so I can reach/stretch out and cut down on some wind resistance. I love my trekking bars!

David Bierbaum

I put my brake levers far enough outboard that I can "fingertip" brake while my hands are on the sides. (yes, I know my tape wrapping is not a thing of beauty! Under the cork tape are old inner-tubes wrapped in the opposite direction. )

Of course this is my "everything" bike, so I mostly use it for commuting and errand running, so I haven't had to use it for extended periods very often, but it's been a fine setup the few times I have cruised the River-Road.

bikedobie

Hi,
Sorry, I just came across your post and would like to know what brand/model your trekking handlebar is?

Thanks!

ak08820

That is an unusual application of the V brake noodles.

skookum

I had this set up, but I didnt like where the brakes are positioned, and I couldn't find another place for them that worked.

fietsbob

Hydraulic Brakes, Rohloff grip shifter , + Mirrycle Grip Bell. WB Bicycle Gallery: Robert Clark's Koga Miyata WTR

someone else : https://www.rodbikes.com/catalog/6-pa...erfly-bars.jpg ITM Synergic

another style . ITM Selego .. Have them but not on a Bike ... really adjustable .. one configuration shown.

https://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/2/0/0...=1174272196000

hujev

the way I've got mine (Kalloy AL-069 on Kalloy Al-222 stem).

The only thing frustrating on these bars is no decent mirror option - here I'm using the best I've found, the Ortlieb, but it vibrates something awful on the flimsy plastic arm... Maybe one day I'll make a bar mount for the Mirrycle mirror (the best mirror in my opinion; I use two on each of my touring bikes with rando bars and 'cable out the top' levers).

Mounted 'backwards' mainly due to cable routing issues off the brake levers, but similar f/r positions either way; I really like this setup.

[full info, more pix of bike: 1984 Trek 830 Frankenbike | rjl.us ]

fietsbob

WB Bicycle Gallery: Robert Clark's Koga Miyata WTR ITM-Koga Bars,
R'off Grip Shifter , Magura HS33 brakes , grip bell on the left, 2 layers of padded tape.

WarrenR

Here is my setup, my LBS changed the stem so that my hands were in the same position as the straight bars that this replaced.

He also put an old brake hood on the bar with a Mirrycle cut off where it goes into a bar and bolted to the brake hood. Works very well and is farther out and better for viewing then my motorcycle mirrors.

It's tucked in out of the way in this picture that was taken during the winter on the rollers.

saddlesores

current mirror is a poor replacement for the blackburn barend
model i had on the straight bars. this one for barends but
still works okay-ish. not as clear and more vibration.

really want something easily removable for sticking in bus
cargo bays, and having to switch sides when crossing borders.

have two future options.....hbar accessory clamp and this
takeoff mirror mount from an e-bike.

veganbikes

I would probably do something like your first photo but with bar ends (like what you see on some MTN Bikes) at the front and I would use Paul Thumbies and Love Levers and Ergon grips (short for grip shifts) instead of the shifter/brake combo they use. I would use Lizard Skins DSP wrap around the rest of the bar and possibly good ole' cloth tape at the bar ends (which would be more like aero extensions.

However I don't know that I would go trekking/butterfly bars for mostly road touring. I might use them for off-roading.

Happy Feet

Centaurious

I wish that I could find a set of bars like these. They are the only ones I have seen with an angle to the grip. This is from an image search for trekking bars.

staehpj1

I never got comfy with my trekking bars and took them off. I think that the ones in the picture in post #17 might work out better for me, but I'd put the brakes on the swept back section.

Not sure if I could make it work, but if I had to use them, I might try to use STI brifters on the outside edge (where the swept back section is on the ones Centaurius pictured).

Personally I much prefer drops, I even have them on one of my MTBs and use them on technical single track.

Tandem Tom

Have tekking bars on my LHT and have been kicking around a Jones "H" Bar.

Biketouringhobo

I am flat mtn handlebars with XT thumb shifters and Avid Speed dial brake levers
on my Surly LHT 26in 52cm 2008

balm426

I have a question for you guys using trekking bars.

My question is do you find a good flat spot for your hands? I have used them on the trainer a few days and can't seem to find a good comfortable spot. It almost feels like my hands are to big and always on a rounded part of the bar. Anyone else have this feeling or do I just need to use them more?

mstateglfr 

The area on each side where the bar ends should be flat for a long enough part of the bar to place grips, so that area should be flat for your hands. Otherwise, yes most of the bars will have a curve one way or the other.
The nice thing about them that I like a lot is you can hold the sides of each bar and your hands are in a handshake position which is just like riding on the ramps or hoods of a drop bar.

fietsbob

Order from European sellers , the bends you want dont cross the pond on their own , most stuff is Pac Rim to US west Coast.


As to flat spot dont turn the bar up too much and the whole sides of the bars can be flat enough..

but the stem height may need to raise the bar's center above the saddle ..

Centaurious

These are the only ones that I have seen where the ends of the bar are angled forward. All the other trekking bars you might as well be holding a straight bar with no bends. Here is an example,



I can't find a seller that has these and I have literally spent days looking at Dutch, German, British and any others to try to find them. Someone else's search for these dead ended with them maybe sold by a Dutch bike brand.

balm426

I will try raising the stem and laying the bars a little more parallel to the ground. I may have to scrap the idea but I really like the idea of having 3 good different spots for my hands.