Butterfly bars vs bar ends

[ColinJ]

I switched the drop bars on my best bike for ones with a shallower drop and find them much more useful. I used to only use the drops on downhills but now I can use them much more without strain.

 

[mudsticks]

As for the Surly handlebars above, I don't see;
The advantage of the 2 protruding stubs at the front
The multitude of hand positions, especially with the supercool barbag in the middle.

For handlebars that are swept back I can't see how bar ends will be comfortable? It seems to me that your hands/wrists will be splayed open? Bar ends on straight bars seem more natural, to me.

I don't see the advantage of multiple hand positions. I see the advantage of being able to change my hand position, I just don't see the need to have multiple options.

When I tried out butterfly bars, I had to force myself to put my hands in different (to me) positions. On normal surfaces, my hands sat in pretty much the same place as on flats with bar ends. Off road, I was far less comfortable.

Of course, if you're doing 200 mile endurance cycles than your needs are different to mine.

I can't help but think that there are some very smart companies out there, utilising social media to convince people that there is something better for them out there than what they are already using.

These discussions can be a nice way to pass the winter when there's a lot less cycling going on, but I'm sure there are some people out there reading these threads and making a list of all the things they "need".

If I start to suffer discomfort while I'm riding the bike, I stop, have a coffee, sometimes a beer, maybe a tasty snack, maybe chat to some interesting people, but not the guy that tells me his drop bars are superior to my flats .

I think I'm pretty much in this camp.

I'm not a gear junkie on the whole - or at least not for bikes.

Once I've found something say 80% good enough then that's me done.
Sorry dedicated nerds

I don't really have time and patience for endless research for its own sake.
I do appreciate when other people do it mind..

Two hand positions is probably enough, so I'll try bar ends first, although I'll have to modify the presently very comfy grips in some way to fit them.

The surly bars do look cool tho

The leetle bike shop where I bought my bike said theyd take it back for a free fettling after a few weeks so maybe I could ask them.

Like yourself, if I get uncomfortable when riding, then I stop..

Do some stretches.

And anyway -
Tea shops need our business.

I usually ride alone, and if I'm touring I'll take a tent so there's no mahoosive hurry to get monster miles done.

But definitely will be sticking with wide span bars for better control over rough ground.
I don't load my front panniers heavily but they still have an effect.

Thanks for all the input.. And please keep up the good work / ongoing discussion.

But no tedious flats/drops bickering OK?

We can agree to disagree, agreeably oui??

 

[Gravity Aided]

Let's not forget mustache bars.

From the web, obvs.

 

[DCBassman]

Let's not forget mustache bars. View attachment 447228
From the web, obvs.

I like these, in theory. The other way up, they're high-rise cruising bars, quite versatile.

 

[mudsticks]

Let's not forget mustache bars. View attachment 447228
From the web, obvs.

We need to have a 'bring along your funky bars' meet up.

So we can test all the styles.

It's tempting to get the pipe bending tools out just to see what shapes can be made.

 

[Gravity Aided]

It's amazing, some of the bars
that come into the bike-co-op are fanciful.
There are several different
versions of drop bars,
each subtly different, as well.

 

[mickle]

We need to have a 'bring along your funky bars' meet up.

So we can test all the styles.

It's tempting to get the pipe bending tools out just to see what shapes can be made.

I have a set of bars being custom made for me at the moment by Gonzo in Brightlingsea. As it happens.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

I have a set of bars being custom made for me at the moment by Gonzo in Brightlingsea. As it happens.

Brightlingsea? Now there’s a blast from the past. I used to race dinghies from there.

*Aaahhhh. Has a moment of fond memories.*

 

[mudsticks]

I have a set of bars being custom made for me at the moment by Gonzo in Brightlingsea. As it happens.

I'm ashamed to say, that without looking it up, i'm not even sure where Brightlingsea is.
I'm going to take a stab at Essex coast?

So it might be a bit of a trek for me at least, for a handlebar meet up ...

 

[Gravity Aided]

At some convenient moment, could you post a detailed pic of how you've mounted that?

With special guest, my recycle bin.

 

[DCBassman]

Thanks, interesting!

 

[Gravity Aided]

I'm using Salsa Woodchipper bars there, kind of between a drop bar and a mustache bar. Favored by the gravel riders/650b/supple bike crowd.

 

[mudsticks]

I'm using Salsa Woodchipper bars there, kind of between a drop bar and a mustache bar. Favored by the gravel riders/650b/supple bike crowd.

Oh my Lord, can you please enlighten me as to whom the 'supple bike crowd' are.

Is that another subset of riders identifiable by their facial hair arrangements??

 

[rogerzilla]

View attachment 447487 View attachment 447488 View attachment 447489
With special guest, my recycle bin.

That is an abomination, a crime against aesthetics and an insult to the great DX thumbshifter

 

[Gravity Aided]

Oh my Lord, can you please enlighten me as to whom the 'supple bike crowd' are.

Is that another subset of riders identifiable by their facial hair arrangements??

People not into the cycle racing asthetic, more be about riding. The anti Lycra. Hipsters may be involved. Grant Petersen sorts.