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trekking bars in dense urban assault , aka butterfly bar

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trekking bars in dense urban assault , aka butterfly bar

Old 08-04-20, 10:37 PM
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trekking bars in dense urban assault , aka butterfly bar

how are trekking bars in its unnatural habitat, aka like in dense urban streets, MUPs, and sidewalks of like NYC?

do you feel they are too wide, to squeezing between cars in stuck traffic?
too unwieldy, when cutting and slashing bollards and walkers on congested MUPs?


Last edited by mtb_addict; 08-05-20 at 03:38 AM.
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Old 08-04-20, 10:55 PM
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i am looking for a 90% commuter, 10% light-touring.
found thus bike with trekking bar on sale.
the straight bar version is not on sale.


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Old 08-04-20, 11:16 PM
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Looks great! Most trekking bars don’t look very wide. They are meant to be real world usable, should be no problem in traffic.I’ve been using just these swept back and are great for cutting through downtown! Also been good on trails!

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Old 08-04-20, 11:20 PM
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If anything, the trekking bars I've used were too narrow for urban assault. Ok for riding along a MUP, but bouncing curbs and zipping in and out of cars sees the hands too close together when on the controls.
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Old 08-04-20, 11:56 PM
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I used them for a couple years riding in the city before my bike was stolen (ironically in the ’burbs) and did perfectly fine.
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Old 08-05-20, 12:28 AM
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How wide are the bars that you normally use?

I have some uncommon Modolo Butterfly bars that I specially ordered that are 50cm wide at the widest point. I believe that the more regular and commonly available Butterfly bars are usually 58cm wide at the widest point.
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Old 08-05-20, 12:47 AM
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Originally Posted by AnthonyG
How wide are the bars that you normally use?

I have some uncommon Modolo Butterfly bars that I specially ordered that are 50cm wide at the widest point. I believe that the more regular and commonly available Butterfly bars are usually 58cm wide at the widest point.
i am using a 55-cm bar (see photo). it is not enough control on rough bumpy gravel roads.

but I would hate to go wider than 58...it gets very narrow in many places on the MUP and sidewalks...especially they are doing alot construction.



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Old 08-05-20, 12:51 AM
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now i think about it some more, its a no brainer to get the trekking bar.

it would be super easy to convert to straight bar if i dont like it...unlike drop bars.
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Old 08-05-20, 02:01 AM
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Originally Posted by mtb_addict
it would be super easy to convert to straight bar if i dont like it...unlike drop bars.
Just what I wanted to say.
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Old 08-05-20, 02:07 AM
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Originally Posted by mtb_addict
now i think about it some more, its a no brainer to get the trekking bar.

it would be super easy to convert to straight bar if i dont like it...unlike drop bars.
Effectively trekking bars are about 40cm or less wide when you are using the controls. Yeah, there is a lot of bar further out, but you can't brake or shift gears from there, which you need to do a lot riding in urban areas. Yes, you can get used to that narrowness and having to change hand positions to brake or change gears, but is it ideal? no. They suck on gravel or rough roads compared to other options I don't even particularly like them for touring anymore either, I use Jones bars now. If I had know about them when I got the Jones Bars, I would have got Koga Denhams. Maybe Velo Orange Crazy Bars might be cheap option for you?
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Old 08-05-20, 10:02 AM
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I have 2 Trekking bars made by ITM, their widest point is : 54 & 58 cm wide..



the straight bar version is not on sale.
So? buy that one & change the handlebars, messenger types cut them quite short..






...

Last edited by fietsbob; 08-07-20 at 11:45 AM.
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Old 08-05-20, 07:47 PM
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There are some advantages to Butterfly bars in urban settings as well since the rounded off ends are far less likely to catch on something/someone than straight bars are. The control width isn't that narrow. On my unusually narrow Butterfly bars at 50cm total width I measured the straight "control" width at 44cm.
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Old 08-06-20, 11:15 PM
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Originally Posted by mtb_addict
now i think about it some more, its a no brainer to get the trekking bar.

it would be super easy to convert to straight bar if i dont like it...unlike drop bars.
But you might need longer cables and housing.
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Old 08-07-20, 11:40 AM
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These are adjustable width (but I note the OP is not a top shelf buyer)
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/handleba...590mm/?geoc=US

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