What drop bars do you run and why?
#1
Vain, But Lacking Talent
Thread Starter
What drop bars do you run and why?
So my Sirrus seriously needs some new bars. They are liveable, but getting old. I'm a broad shouldered guy and they are definitely something like a size 40 vs. the 44 bars on my carbon bike.
I ask what type of bars are you running and why, because I'm a little bit overwhelmed at the options and if I buy a new set, it seems as if it's a pretty hefty investment. The bike primarily sees commuting duty, roughly 13-14 miles a day. I'm considering touring with it, but might just end up using my carbon roubaix for that anyways.
So what are the benefits of rando bars? How about the Nitto Noodle? Currently, I spend a lot of time on the brake hoods and some time on the immediate center when hitting a hill. Not much time at all in the drops, but that could have something to do with them being a 40 cm width. Otherwise, the fit of the bike is fine in the drops.
I ask what type of bars are you running and why, because I'm a little bit overwhelmed at the options and if I buy a new set, it seems as if it's a pretty hefty investment. The bike primarily sees commuting duty, roughly 13-14 miles a day. I'm considering touring with it, but might just end up using my carbon roubaix for that anyways.
So what are the benefits of rando bars? How about the Nitto Noodle? Currently, I spend a lot of time on the brake hoods and some time on the immediate center when hitting a hill. Not much time at all in the drops, but that could have something to do with them being a 40 cm width. Otherwise, the fit of the bike is fine in the drops.
#4
Iconoclast
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Location: California
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Bikes: Colnago Super, Fuji Opus III, Specialized Rockhopper, Specialized Sirrus (road)
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- 3T Ergosum Pro. I like the way it feels when properly set up.
- Deda Newton Anatomic. I like the way it feels when properly set up.
- Deda Newton Anatomic. I like the way it feels when properly set up.
#6
Senior Member
- 44cm Nitto Noodle. It's very comfortable. The gorgeous engraving on the sleeve is a nice bonus.
- 42cm VO Course. I bought it because it's comparable to the Noodle.
- 38cm Jeunet branded Guid. I don't particularly like it, but I use it because it's French and original to the bike.
#8
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If you're broad-shouldered you could try the bars that I have on my Sojourn, WTB Mountain Drop. They are 42cm at the hoods and flare out to 58cm at the ends. https://www.treefortbikes.com/product...-Drop-Bar.html
#9
PanGalacticGargleBlaster
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I love the Nitto Noodle, but also the SR Randonneur is very nice. it flares up from the clamp area and then the drops flare out slightly. I find them very comfortable.
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#10
Vain, But Lacking Talent
Thread Starter
Zaphod, how does it feel to put your hands directly on top of the bars where it flares up on the rando bars? I keep wondering what that might feel like if I was doing a little climbing. It seems like it would make my wrists bend a little awkwardly.
#11
Banned.
Cinelli 66-42 single groove
Centurion Ironman Master
Centurion Ironman Expert
Centurion Ironman Carbon
Schwinn PDG Paramount OS-2
Schwinn PDG Paramount OS-7
Cinelli 64-42 double-groove
Cinelli Centurion Equipe
Nitto B115-420
Centurion Facet
3TTT Forma 42cm
Trek Y-Foil
carbonLord 42cm
Kestrel 200SCi
The Cinellis fit my hands, and I can find Cinelli stems to fit me and the Cinellis.
I'm running the 3TTT's on the Y-Foil because they're the only ergo bars that fit my hands.
I've ridden numerous centuries on the Cinellis and the 3TTT's, never a problem.
The carbonLord are close, but somehow, the 3TTT is dead on for my hand size.
If I couldn't run Cinelli, I'd run Ambrosios on those stems.
The Nitto B115's are close, but I get some numbness with them, a bit after 20 miles.
Centurion Ironman Master
Centurion Ironman Expert
Centurion Ironman Carbon
Schwinn PDG Paramount OS-2
Schwinn PDG Paramount OS-7
Cinelli 64-42 double-groove
Cinelli Centurion Equipe
Nitto B115-420
Centurion Facet
3TTT Forma 42cm
Trek Y-Foil
carbonLord 42cm
Kestrel 200SCi
The Cinellis fit my hands, and I can find Cinelli stems to fit me and the Cinellis.
I'm running the 3TTT's on the Y-Foil because they're the only ergo bars that fit my hands.
I've ridden numerous centuries on the Cinellis and the 3TTT's, never a problem.
The carbonLord are close, but somehow, the 3TTT is dead on for my hand size.
If I couldn't run Cinelli, I'd run Ambrosios on those stems.
The Nitto B115's are close, but I get some numbness with them, a bit after 20 miles.
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 03-05-11 at 04:41 PM.
#12
Senior Member
I like the curve and the comfort of Nitto Noodles - a really good off-the-shelf bar.
- My favorite bars though are the GB Randonneurs. Too bad you can't just order those.
- My favorite bars though are the GB Randonneurs. Too bad you can't just order those.
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#13
Unique Vintage Steel
Cinelli 66-44 on the Serotta and Gazelle AB-Frame. Still have 42mm on the A-Frame.
If anyone has a 66-44 in good condition (mid 80's era or older) and wants to trade for a double groove 66-42 let me know.
If anyone has a 66-44 in good condition (mid 80's era or older) and wants to trade for a double groove 66-42 let me know.
#14
Senior Member
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I like the Nitto Noodle and FSA Wing Compact Pro's. I also have broad shoulders so I usually get the largest size in any bar. However, if you don't spend a lot of time in the drops, might as well save your back and get a more upright bar.
#15
Bianchi Goddess
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back in the days when I was a Mechanic I liked and used TT Mercxx bend bars. I do however have the TTT bars, Scott, Mavic and Cinelli bar or two around. these days I mostly use Nitto B115s because they are fairly inexpensive and they come in 25.4 and usually fit those goofy Kalloy ATB stems I like.
Guitarrick; I have a pair of bars like this (Nitto something or other) and while I like them for my 'cross bike, if you ride on the hoods alot a 42mm bar may still be narrow for some.
Guitarrick; I have a pair of bars like this (Nitto something or other) and while I like them for my 'cross bike, if you ride on the hoods alot a 42mm bar may still be narrow for some.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
#16
Full Member
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I use these Origin 8 Bio Form handlebars. They're only $40 at a bike shop, probably cheaper online. They have flat tops and a comfortable curve in the drops. They curve down in a way that makes the hoods comfy too.
https://www.origin-8.com/?page_id=91&...cl1=HANDLEBARS
2010 Specialized Allez by Mr. Embrey, on Flickr
2010 Specialized Allez by Mr. Embrey, on Flickr
https://www.origin-8.com/?page_id=91&...cl1=HANDLEBARS
2010 Specialized Allez by Mr. Embrey, on Flickr
2010 Specialized Allez by Mr. Embrey, on Flickr
#19
cowboy, steel horse, etc
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I'm running 3T Forma SL Ergopower. They were on sale. Hoping to get something with a flatter ramp area and non-ergo-bend when I replace 'em, which should be soon - they must be close to 10 years old and they've been in a couple laydowns.
I'm freaked out by running old aluminum bars. They're one of the first items I swap out when I get a used bike that I'm gonna make a daily rider. I do a fair amount of bunnyhopping and running off of curbs though.
I'm freaked out by running old aluminum bars. They're one of the first items I swap out when I get a used bike that I'm gonna make a daily rider. I do a fair amount of bunnyhopping and running off of curbs though.
Last edited by LesterOfPuppets; 03-05-11 at 06:00 PM.
#20
Senior Member
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I really liked a pair of Modolo Criterium bars I had. Right now, I'm sporting a 3ttt Giro D'Italia (i think).
#22
Mostly Mischief
Classic Cinelli, mod. 64 or 66. Probably the 64 is the best for me. Have 4 or 5 bikes with them. While 6'3" I'm not broad shouldered, so a 40cm feels very good. The wider bars are a no-go for general upper body comfort. And why Cinelli? Because all these bikes are Campy. Symbiotic.
Rando bars generally only on bikes ridden mostly seated, spinning instead of mashing and for century plus distances. Prefer the super exaggerated upsweep and shallow drop on my unbranded model over the moderate Nitto (have both).
Rando bars generally only on bikes ridden mostly seated, spinning instead of mashing and for century plus distances. Prefer the super exaggerated upsweep and shallow drop on my unbranded model over the moderate Nitto (have both).
Last edited by jan nikolajsen; 03-05-11 at 06:37 PM.
#25
No one cares
i'm broad shouldered and really prefer 46cm bars. Hard to find in vintage stuff so I usually run Nitto's. I do like my 45cm nitto rando bars though.
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I prefer emails to private messages - holiday76@gmail.com
Jack Taylor Super Tourer Tandem (FOR SALE), Jack Taylor Tour of Britain, Px-10, Carlton Flyer, Fuji The Finest, Salsa Fargo, Santa Cruz Tallboy, Carver All-Road .