Bar ends maybe??

[cyberknight]

You dont need longer cables as there should be plenty of excess length in the original ones.
As others have suggested either and shorter/ adjustable angle or riser stem should sort you out.

 

[Psycolist]

Why cut the grips off? Shove a bamboo skewer into them, squirt some GT85 inside, wiggle, repeat and they'll slide off. Then wipe a bit more on the bar and they'll slide back on.

Nooooo ! Hair spray. The GT85 stays slippery, but the hair spray dries, sets, and helps hold the grips in place when installing, and does the same slippery job for removal. I find a flat bladed screw driver does the same job as your bamboo skewer.

 

[mjr]

Nooooo ! Hair spray. The GT85 stays slippery, but the hair spray dries, sets, and helps hold the grips in place when installing, and does the same slippery job for removal. I find a flat bladed screw driver does the same job as your bamboo skewer.

Nooooo ! The flat bladed screwdriver will scratch up some bars something rotten and the GT85 only really stays slippery long enough to tweak the grip position on the first few rides - unless you slop it on rather than wipe a little!

 

[HertzvanRental]

Golf grips are placed on shafts using double-sided tape, soaked in white spirit. The white spirit dries- the grips are secure. Could this method not be used on handlebar grips?

 

[Psycolist]

Tha

Nooooo ! The flat bladed screwdriver will scratch up some bars something rotten and the GT85 only really stays slippery long enough to tweak the grip position on the first few rides - unless you slop it on rather than wipe a little!

thats suprising, being in a confined space like that, I would have thought it would have stayed 'slippery' for much longer. I agree about the bars getting marked, but its only where the grips would fit, so that's how I do it. I've tried other things, never bamboo, I've got to admit, but is it not hard to get a proper grip on the skewer ? Anyway, many ways to skin a cat, but its great to hear other options.

 

[the_craig]

I got myself a set of Spesh Targa bar ends for £35 delivered and I like them. A bit pricey and it's a full grip/bar end replacement. An absolute doddle to fit - you only need a 5mm Allen key - they give you a wee 3mm key with them.

http://www.bikeplus.co.uk/p/38008/S...&network=pla&gclid=CKeO2eTR7MYCFc7HtAodFaQEMg

I have a Specialized Sirrus hybrid and actually had my first go with the bar ends today. It was great to have another way to keep hold of the bike. I was able to really wrestle my bike and get up hills, although it might be in my head. And using bar ends are how I imagine using the hoods on a roadie.

 

[roadrash]

A jug of very hot water works just as well to ease grips off and back on again. As long as they're not dripping wet when you put them on then they're solid in place again pretty quickly

But I agree with C33 the convenience and cost; £5 in Halfords for my last set & they're spot on; mames them a no brainer for me.

The only caveat I have on lockables (won't apply to you IIRC ) is I've never seen a shorter one to complement a twist grip gear.

yep.

@shouldbeinbed


short lock on grip for twist shifters,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ERGON-GC-...053?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1a0233fc4d

there are several more on ebay

 

[davidallenxyz]

Many thanks for that suggestion. I did invest in some bar ends but they haven't made much difference so maybe I'll try this.

Bar ends aren't really designed to get you more upright. They will give an alternative hand position that is a longer reach, if anything.

I've had a look at your bike online and it seems to have a pretty short stem already. I don't see much scope for shortening or raising the standard bars.

For that reason if suggest converting to some different bars. "North road" style swept-back and raised bars may be ideal, and "butterfly" bars will also bring the handlebars closer. You will be able to use the same controls so costs will be low (a straightforward home job if the cables can be left the same length).

If that doesn't work out, then I'm afraid the bike you bought is not the right bike (comfort-wise) for you. You may be better off on a smaller frame or a different style of bike entirely - the Specialised looks quite aggressive in its geometry.

 

[Cyclist33]

Zero setback seatpost may help...

 

[mandyspangles]

So interesting reading through the different options. I definitely have plenty to think about. Many thanks.

 

[mandyspangles]

After trying the bar ends for a time I finally settled on having a stem riser fitted which only gives me an extra three inches ( maximum ) but I think it's enough. Many thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[screenman]

Do you have a daily stretching regime? Despite the many benefits most people do not.

 

[mjr]

Do you have a daily stretching regime? Despite the many benefits most people do not.

Don't stretch cold muscles because you'll do more harm than good

 

[screenman]

Don't stretch cold muscles because you'll do more harm than good

I would hope most people with any intelligence would know that.