Jones vs Drop bars
#1
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Jones vs Drop bars
I did a 30 mile trail ride this weekend on a buddies adventure bike with Jones handlebars. I was initially a bit confused exactly where to place my hands but as the miles past by it became clear that the beauty of these bars is the number of hand placements they afford. Thinking of switching my drop bars to a set of Jones on my Trek Checkpoint. I know they're a bit heavier but the sweep back is so darn comfortable. Anybody else? Thoughts?
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I did a 30 mile trail ride this weekend on a buddies adventure bike with Jones handlebars. I was initially a bit confused exactly where to place my hands but as the miles past by it became clear that the beauty of these bars is the number of hand placements they afford. Thinking of switching my drop bars to a set of Jones on my Trek Checkpoint. I know they're a bit heavier but the sweep back is so darn comfortable. Anybody else? Thoughts?
My verdict: Jones bars offer a number of very comfortable hand positions. However, unlike drop bars, none of those hand positions are optimized to put you in a more “aero” body position, which was important for me. Additionally, the forward loop makes it difficult to mount aerobars, although there may be some workable solution on that front I didn’t get around to exploring. If I were to do it again, I probably would have tried the Surly Moloko bar or the Velo Orange Crazy Bar, but in the end I’m glad I went over to drop bars.
If aero is not a concern, they are a solid choice IMHO. I found them comfortable for long rides, and they offer some interesting options for bags and accessory mounting. Potential issues include: trying to mount your STI levers to the Jones bar (or converting to a MTB drivetrain) as well as bar positioning/stem choice.
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#3
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I have had a different experience and enjoy the aero position on the Jones bars. I wrapped handlebar tape around the loop parts and then can rest my forearms across the bars. It is both comfortable and stable.
Obviously the wide position is something you won’t get on road bars but then the “drop” position is something you won’t have with the Jones.
Obviously the wide position is something you won’t get on road bars but then the “drop” position is something you won’t have with the Jones.
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It's good to have two bikes, one with Jones bars and one with flared, shallow drop bars like Salsa Cowchippers (or many others). If I had to settle on one, flared drops would be my choice but the Jones H-bars are a close second.
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Jones bars is my fat bike, which I have another 29+ wheel set for and use for rougher gravel and muddy rides in addition to winter riding.
Drop bars on my Jamis Renegade Exploit which I use for more speed and distance including more paved roads. I got the aero bars on this setup.
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#6
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Also a rider with both bars on different bikes. My Surly Ogre has the Jones bars, and I love them. As mentioned, these are not intended specifically to be an aero-style bar, but you can get into a more tucked position if desired. Jeff Jones does also sell an accessory for the Jones bars, that better mimics an aero mount, the Gnarwal.
https://www.jonesbikes.com/jones-gnarwal/
This year I got a Cannondale Topstone and I was actually wondering if I'd have a hard time adapting to a (slightly flared) drop bar again, it has been years since I've owned a road-style bike. But now, for the Topstone, I also love the drops. For that type of bike, with a mix of road/dirt I really appreciate the drop style. The only negative I'd offer, comparing a drop-style bar to the Jones H-bar, or even a flat-bar in general, is the reduced amount of real estate on a drop bar for accessories (Lights, cycle computers, bells, cameras, phone mounts, etc). But there are ways to work around that as well.
I think it's really about what type of bike you are working with, how/where you intend upon using the bike, and what you want out of the bar styles.
https://www.jonesbikes.com/jones-gnarwal/
This year I got a Cannondale Topstone and I was actually wondering if I'd have a hard time adapting to a (slightly flared) drop bar again, it has been years since I've owned a road-style bike. But now, for the Topstone, I also love the drops. For that type of bike, with a mix of road/dirt I really appreciate the drop style. The only negative I'd offer, comparing a drop-style bar to the Jones H-bar, or even a flat-bar in general, is the reduced amount of real estate on a drop bar for accessories (Lights, cycle computers, bells, cameras, phone mounts, etc). But there are ways to work around that as well.
I think it's really about what type of bike you are working with, how/where you intend upon using the bike, and what you want out of the bar styles.
Last edited by westrid_dad; 12-27-19 at 05:26 PM.
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#7
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I have a Jones H-bar on my Trek 1120, which is my bikepacking bike and my favorite off pavement bike. On pavement, I mostly ride a Jamis Renegade Expert, but I ditched the drop bars years ago in favor of butterfly trekking bars. I'm 67, and I enjoy the multiple hand positions afforded by both the Jones and butterfly bars. The aero position is fine for those who want it, but not me.
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I've definitely gone back and forth between drop bars and high sweep flat bars over the years. The luxury of having multiple bikes let's me have both setups, depending on the ride. I like drops for long rides with climbs and flats for casual rides and descents. Can't have it both ways.