Bar Ends

[david1701]

Will getting some Bar ends let me play with different positions (ie would I like drops) or am I likely to kill myself because I don't have my fingers on the brakes. This is for road riding on hills where I'm planning on doing some longer distance training rides/ touring. Got flat bars atm.

 

[mark barker]

I've had a couple of different types of bar ends, and found the curved ones far better than straight. I'm currently using ergo grips and they've made the handlebars so much more comfortable...

 

[ianrauk]

Yes they will help with multiple hand positions and great for climbing. Get yourself a pair and don't worry about not getting at the brakes in time.

 

[Garz]

Yes they will help with multiple hand positions and great for climbing. Get yourself a pair and don't worry about not getting at the brakes in time.

This +1

 

[david1701]

how do you fare with control with them Mark?

I'm a relatively novice rider so have read more than I've done (if that makes sense) and have come across cruising/riding all the time with your fingers over the brake levers. I can't see it affecting my response time too much and if I was expecting an issue I'd change back to the bars (same as when I drop down before coming up on something)

 

[david1701]

ok cheers guys, thats my mind eased

 

[mcshroom]

Don't worry about getting back to the brakes, you'd be surprised how quickly you can get back to them if you have to. I put bar ends on my hybrid and they made longer distances considerably more comfortable.

Also I'd also recommend the full bar-ends. I have some of these which allow three different positions, including a more forward one for climbing out of the saddle.

 

[mickle]

Remember to move all of the controls inboard at least the same distance as the width of the bar end's clamp. Don't make the mistake of leaving everything where it is and just cutting down the grips to fit 'em.

 

[david1701]

I had been thinking these for pikey points but I see the allure of those. Do you hold the inwardsy bits at the end when you stand?

 

[david1701]

lololol. I moved it over from bmx bars (for the love of god why) this evening so haven't really gotten final positions nailed yet for the controls, just a quick ride around the paddock to get them close enough to ride tomorrow.

Grips are pretty shagged (more so at being removed and put back on) is tape frowned upon for a big yellow and too heavy bike?

 

[david1701]

ok apparently you can 'buy' grips

(loving the irony that I didn't pay money for the bike )

 

[mark barker]

how do you fare with control with them Mark?

I'm a relatively novice rider so have read more than I've done (if that makes sense) and have come across cruising/riding all the time with your fingers over the brake levers. I can't see it affecting my response time too much and if I was expecting an issue I'd change back to the bars (same as when I drop down before coming up on something)

I use these and tbh I never think about the brakes. I guess I ride using the normal bars when in traffic, and switch to the ends when on clearer, higher speed parts of my journey.


As was mentioned above, you'll need to move the brake levers and gear changers inwards about 25mm to allow for the bar ends.

 

[mcshroom]

I had been thinking these for pikey points but I see the allure of those. Do you hold the inwardsy bits at the end when you stand?

I do sometimes. It allows me to get more weight forward if the front wheel is lifting. Of course I do also use the normal grips for climbing

If you are getting new grips, then you would probably be better getting ones with open ends, otherwise you will have to cut the ends off of the grips to slide them inwards on the bars so that you can fit the bar-ends.

 

[mickle]

Also, don't make the mistake of installing them so that they are comfy when sitting on the saddle. For them to work best they need to be in a position which is easy on the wrists when honking up a hill.

Aiming them at the sky is a no-no, they should be closer to 15degrees above horizontal. They'll still work from the saddle at that angle.

 

[david1701]

k, do you wrap grips around the bar ends or tape or leave them bare?