Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Classic & Vintage
Reload this Page >

Handlebars: I would not ask unless I really needed help

Notices
Classic & Vintage This forum is to discuss the many aspects of classic and vintage bicycles, including musclebikes, lightweights, middleweights, hi-wheelers, bone-shakers, safety bikes and much more.

Handlebars: I would not ask unless I really needed help

Old 07-17-19, 02:51 PM
  #1  
Reynolds 531 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Reno nevada
Posts: 784

Bikes: a few that I can't recall

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 339 Post(s)
Liked 287 Times in 142 Posts
Handlebars: I would not ask unless I really needed help

I have Nitto Noodle 48 cm. (50cm at the drops) I love everything about them except how they feel. They look correct on my Colnago, which came with some very narrow bars I can't ride.

I searched back through this forum for an hour, and got so confused that now I am stooping for help from the hivemind.

Nitto noodle 48cm
pros: Looks great.
cons: 140 drop is a little bit to much, the back sweep is wrong for my shoulders. My arms go inward from my shoulders to the bars while riding on the tops, and I have to bend my wrists backwards (literally) to ride.

Never tried:
VELO ORANGE grand cru , cons: only 46 at drops, logo not as nice as TTT, Nitto or old bars

Rene Herse Maes Parallel (with shim to 26mm) No logo, looks cheap but is $125

VELO ORANGE 50cm Randonneur. Ugly logo, good width. "Randonneur style" does not look as "racy"

What should I add to this list to BUY and try out?

Thanks

Last edited by Reynolds 531; 07-17-19 at 02:55 PM.
Reynolds 531 is offline  
Old 07-17-19, 03:22 PM
  #2  
due ruote 
Senior Member
 
due ruote's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,707
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 903 Post(s)
Liked 524 Times in 318 Posts
How is your time split between tops, ramps/hoods and drops? What levers are you using?
due ruote is offline  
Old 07-17-19, 03:31 PM
  #3  
rustystrings61 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Greenwood SC USA
Posts: 2,340

Bikes: 2002 Mercian Vincitore, 1982 Mercian Colorado, 1976 Puch Royal X, 1973 Raleigh Competition, 1971 Gitane Tour de France and others

Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 822 Post(s)
Liked 1,387 Times in 690 Posts
How wide are your shoulders? 48 cm is really wide ... my favorite handlebar remains the Nitto Model 176, what Rivendell used to call the Dream Bar. For a while there I drank the Grant P. Kool-Aid about how wide is better, but I find I am more comfortable with the old classic shoulder-width bar. In my case, that's 42 cm.

The 176 is a more traditional shape than the Noodle 177; it does not have the back sweep, but it may have a similar drop.
rustystrings61 is offline  
Old 07-17-19, 03:43 PM
  #4  
tkamd73 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Menomonee Falls, WI
Posts: 1,850

Bikes: 1984 Schwinn Supersport, 1988 Trek 400T, 1977 Trek TX900, 1982 Bianchi Champione del Mondo, 1978 Raleigh Supercourse, 1986 Trek 400 Elance, 1991 Waterford PDG OS Paramount, 1971 Schwinn Sports Tourer, 1985 Trek 670

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 601 Post(s)
Liked 1,054 Times in 530 Posts
If you go to the Nitto site, you will find all the dimensions for their extensive range of drop bars. Find one you think will work, then track it down. I’ve had to order some directly from Japan, cause no one here carries that model. If you’ve already checked out there site, never mind, and good luck!
Tim
tkamd73 is offline  
Old 07-17-19, 03:56 PM
  #5  
Wildwood 
Veteran, Pacifist
 
Wildwood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,305

Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?

Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3876 Post(s)
Liked 4,781 Times in 2,206 Posts
Handlebars

the above link was picked up from Leonard Zinn's website.


but what do I know? at 6'1", I prefer 38s.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Wildwood is offline  
Likes For Wildwood:
Old 07-17-19, 04:29 PM
  #6  
TenGrainBread 
Senior Member
 
TenGrainBread's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 2,742
Mentioned: 52 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1136 Post(s)
Liked 649 Times in 336 Posts
Like you, I prefer a wide drop bar 46cm or above if possible. So I have done similar searches to you.

First of all, the reason why the Nitto-made Rene Herse bars are so expensive is that they are heat-treated. This means they are very strong but also lighter than bars made by brands like Velo Orange and Soma. The finish is also better than VO or Soma. These are Nitto's top-end products. Nitto's house-branded bars that are heat-treated are similar in pricing.

I have both a Maes Parallel and a Randonneur bar in 46cm from Rene Herse and they are both extremely comfortable and light. I would recommend them. The Randonneur bar doesn't look racy but there is nothing about it that would prevent you from going fast.

I have another Nitto-made heat treated bar under the Crust Bikes brand that 53cm wide, which I also really like. These have a 31.8 center though.
TenGrainBread is offline  
Old 07-17-19, 04:56 PM
  #7  
Reynolds 531 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Reno nevada
Posts: 784

Bikes: a few that I can't recall

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 339 Post(s)
Liked 287 Times in 142 Posts
Originally Posted by tkamd73
If you go to the Nitto site, you will find all the dimensions for their extensive range of drop bars. Find one you think will work, then track it down. I’ve had to order some directly from Japan, cause no one here carries that model. If you’ve already checked out there site, never mind, and good luck!
Tim
Thank you. I will try again.


The only Nitto site I could find is very old...........
HANDLE BARÂ NITTO

HOWEVER, after poking around they have a 2019 .pdf on their site.!
https://nitto-tokyo.sakura.ne.jp/Catalog.pdf

Again, thanks for the help. My shoulders are 500mm wide, almost exactly. (within a mm or two) I do race CycloCross with narrower bars because of the crowds, but when I have to lean on the hoods or whatever for a long time, it feels better to stretch out. I also ride/race MTB with 780, so of course that makes -everything- feel skinny.

Last edited by Reynolds 531; 07-17-19 at 05:19 PM.
Reynolds 531 is offline  
Old 07-17-19, 05:04 PM
  #8  
noobinsf 
Senior Member
 
noobinsf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,291

Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited

Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,204 Times in 700 Posts
There is a site called whatbars.com that mocks up the dimensions of different bars and can compare one to the other, as in superimposing an image of one over the other. Pretty nifty site. It doesn't have every handlebar available, but interesting to play with dimensions and imagine the fit.

EDIT: When I used the site, I was shopping for upright bars. I notice now that it is pretty disappointing for drop bars. The Noodle, btw, is on there as the "Rivendell Noodle."
noobinsf is offline  
Old 07-17-19, 05:16 PM
  #9  
mechanicmatt
Hoards Thumbshifters
 
mechanicmatt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Signal Mountain, TN
Posts: 1,173

Bikes: '23 Black Mtn MC, '87 Bruce Gordon Chinook, '08 Jamis Aurora, '86 Trek 560, '97 Mongoose Rockadile, & '91 Trek 750

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 245 Post(s)
Liked 322 Times in 189 Posts
Have...

Have you raised your handlebars? Normally when you go to real wide handlebars, then you need to go up to compensate.

I have Noodles in 44cm, and I would buy them over and over again if I could. I'm 5'10" and ride 56cm frames though.
mechanicmatt is offline  
Old 07-17-19, 05:26 PM
  #10  
Reynolds 531 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Reno nevada
Posts: 784

Bikes: a few that I can't recall

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 339 Post(s)
Liked 287 Times in 142 Posts
Originally Posted by mechanicmatt
Have you raised your handlebars?
Yes, the noodles actually feel great in the drops. It is when my hands are on top that is a problem, because my wrists dont want to bend outward.


Originally Posted by mechanicmatt
Normally when you go to real wide handlebars, then you need to go up to compensate.
Originally Posted by mechanicmatt
I have Noodles in 44cm, and I would buy them over and over again if I could. I'm 5'10" and ride 56cm frames though.
yeah I'm 5'10 and can barely straddle a 52 in cleats
Reynolds 531 is offline  
Old 07-17-19, 05:39 PM
  #11  
squirtdad
Senior Member
 
squirtdad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,856

Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque

Mentioned: 104 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2304 Post(s)
Liked 2,741 Times in 1,499 Posts
I like nitto noodles but use the 44 or 46 (IIRC the line between heat treating and not is 44) if i had to guess I would think 48 is too big. (me 6 foot on 58 cm frame)

I really don't understand the comment about wrists bending out on top....do you mean on the flat or when riding on the hoods?

here is all the info from rivendell on these https://www.rivbike.com/products/nit...nt=23335757505
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)



squirtdad is offline  
Old 07-17-19, 07:15 PM
  #12  
Velognome 
Get off my lawn!
 
Velognome's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: The Garden State
Posts: 6,253

Bikes: 1917 Loomis, 1923 Rudge, 1930 Hercules Renown, 1947 Mclean, 1948 JA Holland, 1955 Hetchins, 1957 Carlton Flyer, 1962 Raleigh Sport, 1978&81 Raleigh Gomp GS', 2010 Raliegh Clubman

Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 93 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 98 Times in 48 Posts
Sounds more like some stem length variation might be in order. As the bars move out the angle of your wrists will decrease.
Velognome is offline  
Old 07-17-19, 08:05 PM
  #13  
mechanicmatt
Hoards Thumbshifters
 
mechanicmatt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Signal Mountain, TN
Posts: 1,173

Bikes: '23 Black Mtn MC, '87 Bruce Gordon Chinook, '08 Jamis Aurora, '86 Trek 560, '97 Mongoose Rockadile, & '91 Trek 750

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 245 Post(s)
Liked 322 Times in 189 Posts
Originally Posted by Reynolds 531
Yes, the noodles actually feel great in the drops. It is when my hands are on top that is a problem, because my wrists dont want to bend outward.





yeah I'm 5'10 and can barely straddle a 52 in cleats
I'd go down in width size then. You may like short drop bars better or more traditional bend road bars. Is their a style of road bars you love in the rest of your stable of bikes? Measure those out and consider new bars that are similar. There are so many different, bend, reach, and drop styles available now it's silly.
mechanicmatt is offline  
Old 07-17-19, 09:34 PM
  #14  
Salamandrine 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 6,287

Bikes: 78 Masi Criterium, 68 PX10, 2016 Mercian King of Mercia, Rivendell Clem Smith Jr

Mentioned: 120 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2317 Post(s)
Liked 597 Times in 430 Posts
48 cm? Unless you have some special ergonomic needs, that's crazy wide. Might be useful if you ride a lot of gravel I suppose. I'm 6'2" and ride 40 or 42. Even then I'm often rotating my wrists in a bit to get more aero whenever I have to deal with a headwind. BITD bars were only available in 38 or 40.

Anyhow, the VO bars are noticably flexy even in 42. The shape give you long ramps but sharp corners. Depends what you like. IMO if you are set on wide bars, you need to go with bars that have a reinforcing sleeve like Cinelli or Nitto. If possible, consider heat treatment as well. Cinelli still sells the classic 64 bar, but now available in 44cm width.

Have you considered randonneur style bars? Might work for you. I like them. My wrists don't want to bend outward either. I can tell by looking at noodles they wouldn't work for me.
Salamandrine is offline  
Old 07-17-19, 10:15 PM
  #15  
Salamandrine 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 6,287

Bikes: 78 Masi Criterium, 68 PX10, 2016 Mercian King of Mercia, Rivendell Clem Smith Jr

Mentioned: 120 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2317 Post(s)
Liked 597 Times in 430 Posts
No experience with this one but it's another made by Nitto small label, and the price seems very good for a heat treated bar. It's a modernish softened ergo shape, but available in silver. Comes in sizes up to a 45. Something else to consider anyway.

https://sim.works/collections/handle...nt=23501980803

They also make a 50 cm (!!) 'so' bar. Crazy.

https://sim.works/collections/handle...12605701750885

I'm a big Nitto fan. The quality is worth the extra cost IMO.

Last edited by Salamandrine; 07-17-19 at 10:31 PM.
Salamandrine is offline  
Old 07-18-19, 05:30 AM
  #16  
jdawginsc 
Edumacator
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Goose Creek, SC
Posts: 7,429

Bikes: '87 Crestdale, '87 Basso Gap, '92 Rossin Performance EL-OS, 1990 VanTuyl, 1980s Losa, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 1987 PX10, etc...

Mentioned: 56 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2385 Post(s)
Liked 2,931 Times in 1,862 Posts
3TTT Prima 46 or 3TTT Forma. I think I recall seeing them in silver... 3TTT Podiums ...?.

ITM Millenium I've heard are really comfortable.


I am a Cinelli 64-40 or 42 guy. Great bars.
jdawginsc is offline  
Old 07-18-19, 02:40 PM
  #17  
TenGrainBread 
Senior Member
 
TenGrainBread's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 2,742
Mentioned: 52 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1136 Post(s)
Liked 649 Times in 336 Posts
I personally think the "match your bar width to your shoulder width" conventional wisdom makes no sense. I've done many long rides and multi-day tours on very wide drop bars like my 46cm Rene Herse bars, and more recently my 53cm Crust drop bars. I'm 5'7, 140 pounds. No shoulder, wrist, or hand issues whatsoever. I've even done a couple multi-day tours on slightly swept back mtb bars with no shoulder issues. Some predictable wrist issues, more due to lack of hand positions than width.

What I did gain from the wider drop bars was better handling on unpaved ATV trails, rail-trails, and singletrack, as well as more room for handlebar/randonneur bags.

I think it's mostly what you're used to, and what you get used to. Riding on a 38cm bar feels unbearable to me now. If I had to do it for a couple weeks I'm sure I would get used to it. A couple years, I'd probably prefer it.
TenGrainBread is offline  
Old 07-18-19, 04:52 PM
  #18  
Reynolds 531 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Reno nevada
Posts: 784

Bikes: a few that I can't recall

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 339 Post(s)
Liked 287 Times in 142 Posts
I appreciate it all the advice. I just recieved my $$$ padded Newbaums tape, and it cost more than handlebars, so I wnt to be sure.

I am leaning towards trying a Nitto 46 "track bar" (?) that looks like a Maes, and a Cinelli '64.






Last edited by Reynolds 531; 07-18-19 at 10:55 PM.
Reynolds 531 is offline  
Old 07-18-19, 08:28 PM
  #19  
RobbieTunes
Banned.
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,297
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,407 Times in 908 Posts
You probably need to get rid of the Colnago.
RobbieTunes is offline  
Old 07-18-19, 08:30 PM
  #20  
RobbieTunes
Banned.
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,297
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,407 Times in 908 Posts
Originally Posted by jdawginsc
3TTT Forma.

I am a Cinelli 64-40 or 42 guy. Great bars.
Ditto. Great minds:
64-42's
Nitto B115-420's
3TTT Forma when I can find them (the only "ergo" bar my hands fit)
RobbieTunes is offline  
Old 07-20-19, 06:45 AM
  #21  
jdawginsc 
Edumacator
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Goose Creek, SC
Posts: 7,429

Bikes: '87 Crestdale, '87 Basso Gap, '92 Rossin Performance EL-OS, 1990 VanTuyl, 1980s Losa, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 1987 PX10, etc...

Mentioned: 56 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2385 Post(s)
Liked 2,931 Times in 1,862 Posts
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-3TTT-PO...UAAOSwyUpcomHQ

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1990s-racin...8AAOSwk4RcNg~u
jdawginsc is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Amani576
Classic & Vintage
102
09-29-14 09:38 AM
CliftonGK1
Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg)
34
08-31-13 01:39 AM
motorapido
Fitting Your Bike
5
07-14-13 05:42 PM
JJPistols
Classic & Vintage
11
09-08-10 03:16 PM
big_rider
Touring
6
03-22-10 07:34 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.