Vintage handlebars - drops too short
04-20-22, 11:21 AM
#26
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If I can trust a straightedge placed up to my monitor under the bottom of the drops and under the tips of the levers on photo 2, he has his levers set up correctly for vintage drop bars. The issue is the rotation of the bars--which is apparently comfortable to the OP.
04-20-22, 11:31 AM
#27
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Yeah that could be possible, hard to tell without a straight on side shot.
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04-20-22, 11:32 AM
#28
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Maybe you could install bar-end shifters to give you a little more length... the opposite of the chopping some folks do when bar-ends make the ends of the bars too long. 
04-20-22, 12:07 PM
#29
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I have to say +1 to chucking the whole bike. Looks suicidal IMO. The extensions linked above have a very negative review and I can see why.
I have DIY made extensions myself with 7/8" alu bar and a lot of time without a proper lathe or drill press. They did turn out perfectly workable with 70s plastic grips that I love.
But I really don't see how they would work with bar tape. I've never used tape or drops on any bike.
I have DIY made extensions myself with 7/8" alu bar and a lot of time without a proper lathe or drill press. They did turn out perfectly workable with 70s plastic grips that I love.
But I really don't see how they would work with bar tape. I've never used tape or drops on any bike.
Last edited by GamblerGORD53; 04-20-22 at 12:11 PM.
04-20-22, 12:22 PM
#30
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Cool bike!!
I’m a fan of this generation of Trek 400 Elance. Butted 531 main frame and CrMo stays and fork- perfect bike to upgrade.
Add me to the “put the bars you want on there” queue.
I’m a fan of this generation of Trek 400 Elance. Butted 531 main frame and CrMo stays and fork- perfect bike to upgrade.
Add me to the “put the bars you want on there” queue.
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04-21-22, 06:34 AM
#31
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Shoota nailed it- rotate your bars downward. The brake levers are at a really high angle right now and also effectively high up on the bars. Those bars were not designed to have the ramps be flat, they were designed to have the ramps angle down at 12deg or so. Rotating the bars down will effectively push the drop ends towards you and give you more room on the drops. Also, your wrist angle wont be wonky when it the drops and reaching for the brake levers if you rotate the bars down.
04-21-22, 08:10 AM
#32
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Very nice-looking bike!
However, it looks too small a frame with the extended post and stem. Do you like the short reach?
I recently swapped bars from the Cinelli 64 to a more ergo style. I don't like the current set up and may return to the Cinelli.
Wrapping and unwrapping tape with Ergos is significant and is to be avoided. I reused my tape, and it looks bad which is motivation to change the tape and bars.
However, it looks too small a frame with the extended post and stem. Do you like the short reach?
I recently swapped bars from the Cinelli 64 to a more ergo style. I don't like the current set up and may return to the Cinelli.
Wrapping and unwrapping tape with Ergos is significant and is to be avoided. I reused my tape, and it looks bad which is motivation to change the tape and bars.
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04-21-22, 08:51 AM
#33
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When i had just put new tape on, within a couple weeks i realized i needed to make a change that meant un-taping.... i did just one side, and then used a little sliver of 3M double sided tape every few inches
rode those bars and tape for about a year and then put the bike in the rotation for occasional rides, the tape is still on there, riding a smaller bike than you normally ride can be quite comfy if you can get the ergonomics set up.
its all part of the process and its fun.. except re-taping that aint fun...lol
rode those bars and tape for about a year and then put the bike in the rotation for occasional rides, the tape is still on there, riding a smaller bike than you normally ride can be quite comfy if you can get the ergonomics set up.
its all part of the process and its fun.. except re-taping that aint fun...lol
04-21-22, 11:24 AM
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My MB GJ came with some MB branded bars with short flats and as much as I wanted to use the OG bars and stem, I could not get used to it. I am commuting on that bike and do not want to ride 160 miles a week with bars too short in the drops. When I drop down into them, I end up with a three finger grip. (my drops are parallel with the ground).
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