Ok, how ARE ergo bars supposed to be set up?
#26
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I didn't expect to find this. It's a compact bar, made by a company called Soma, available with a 26.0 mm clamp. https://www.jensonusa.com/Soma-Hwy-One-Handlebars
Obviously, this image shows the 31.8 mm version, and it's only available in 44cm, but . . . I'm impressed.
Obviously, this image shows the 31.8 mm version, and it's only available in 44cm, but . . . I'm impressed.
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I didn't expect to find this. It's a compact bar, made by a company called Soma, available with a 26.0 mm clamp. https://www.jensonusa.com/Soma-Hwy-One-Handlebars
Obviously, this image shows the 31.8 mm version, and it's only available in 44cm, but . . . I'm impressed.
Obviously, this image shows the 31.8 mm version, and it's only available in 44cm, but . . . I'm impressed.
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These are both really nice bends. The bit of a "belly" beneath the hoods lets the hands get closer to the levers.
#30
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I didn't expect to find this. It's a compact bar, made by a company called Soma, available with a 26.0 mm clamp. https://www.jensonusa.com/Soma-Hwy-One-Handlebars
Obviously, this image shows the 31.8 mm version, and it's only available in 44cm, but . . . I'm impressed.
Obviously, this image shows the 31.8 mm version, and it's only available in 44cm, but . . . I'm impressed.
They are a 26.0 clamp as well, because they were old bikes with quill stems.
Here's some pics of them on my bikes:
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#31
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By the way, there is no proper way to set up "ergo" bars from the "early-brifter" period. Handlebar design went into the blind staggers around 1995 to 2005 with disasters such as on this otherwise lovely LeMond.
With too much reach and too much drop there's no attempt to relate the bar to the size of the rider. The ends of the drops are nowhere near parallel to the tops, so iif you rotate them forward to render the drops near horizontal, you can't use the top section because your hands slide down to the hoods. Then, if you slide the levers up to bring in your hands, your fingers aren't long enough to reach them from the drops. So if you rotate the bar back, as this rider has, you can't effectively grab onto the drops. My best advice is to sell them on craigslist so somebody can convert them to bullhorns for his fixie, and buy yourself a modern compact, square, or updated traditional bend.
With too much reach and too much drop there's no attempt to relate the bar to the size of the rider. The ends of the drops are nowhere near parallel to the tops, so iif you rotate them forward to render the drops near horizontal, you can't use the top section because your hands slide down to the hoods. Then, if you slide the levers up to bring in your hands, your fingers aren't long enough to reach them from the drops. So if you rotate the bar back, as this rider has, you can't effectively grab onto the drops. My best advice is to sell them on craigslist so somebody can convert them to bullhorns for his fixie, and buy yourself a modern compact, square, or updated traditional bend.
Last edited by oldbobcat; 05-29-23 at 07:28 PM.
#32
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Since you led with the De Rosa, I will too.
Cropped Red and Black final on De Rosa on Flickr
Clearly these are the 10v second gen Ergos. I rode this bike within the last week and didn't like the position. I don't want to feel like the nub on the top is keeping my hands from slipping forward. One of the reasons my bars are rotated "up." I like a flat bar and not one slopping down toward the top of the hoods. I am thinking of swapping to an ergo bar, Cinelli Via.
The Pin is next with the 8V gen I Ergos.
P1050224 on Flickr
This is more comfortable for me. Again, the bar is rotated to be flat on top. I will likely go with a shorter stem. Note the greater angle of the hoods. I know there is the "right" position with the flats parallel to the ground, but I don't like the ergonomics as a result, either on the top or drops. My preference is the flats perpendicular to my arm or close.
These will be replaced during the conversion to 9V, giving me even a lower gear with a 26t ilo 23t. The replacement Ergos are the same as on the DR.
Cropped Red and Black final on De Rosa on Flickr
Clearly these are the 10v second gen Ergos. I rode this bike within the last week and didn't like the position. I don't want to feel like the nub on the top is keeping my hands from slipping forward. One of the reasons my bars are rotated "up." I like a flat bar and not one slopping down toward the top of the hoods. I am thinking of swapping to an ergo bar, Cinelli Via.
The Pin is next with the 8V gen I Ergos.
P1050224 on Flickr
This is more comfortable for me. Again, the bar is rotated to be flat on top. I will likely go with a shorter stem. Note the greater angle of the hoods. I know there is the "right" position with the flats parallel to the ground, but I don't like the ergonomics as a result, either on the top or drops. My preference is the flats perpendicular to my arm or close.
These will be replaced during the conversion to 9V, giving me even a lower gear with a 26t ilo 23t. The replacement Ergos are the same as on the DR.
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