Dimensions of Bars, Stems Shifters & Levers

[MacB]

Having used the butterfly bars for a while now, 1k miles, I'm getting a better feel for what I like. I use 4 hand positions, flat, bottom corner, side and top corner. So I realise that I can get, at least, the first 3 of these from a bullhorn style. But then I run into confusion re what will fit together and how it can be positioned. My understanding so far:-

MTB/Flat Bar bikes - clamp size generally 25.4mm and bar diameter for fitting levers etc is 22.2mm

Drop Bar Bikes - clamp = 25.4mm or oversize 31.8mm, diameter for both is 23.8mm.

I know there are other sizes but they seem to be obsolete, rare or highly specialised.

I would like to be able to use whatever levers and shifters I like, on whatever bars and positions I like. Having tried already I know that my flat bar stuff won't fit around bends in bars etc.

Can you get a sort of universal lever or shifter where the clamp part actually hinges open allowing ease of fitting?

My ideal would be a bullhorn style with brakes on the flats for descending and brakes and shifters on the sides. I know I can do this with STI's, and secondary levers but would like to be able to use v-brakes etc.

 

[simon_adams_uk]

One correction (of sorts) is that drop bar diameters are usually 26.0mm or 31.8mm in the middle, although there are some that are 25.4mm.

S

 

[Landslide]

Normal road drops will give you roughly the same positions as bull-horns: flat section on the tops, corner section, and riding on the hoods won't be dissimilar to riding on the sides.

You can run road STIs with cyclo-cross style "interrupter brake levers, thus fulfilling your shifting and braking needs.

If you don't want to ride on the drops, then fine, just ignore them. Strikes me as an easier solution than working out which combinations of MTB or road bars/stems/shifters/brake lever clamps etc you need.

 

[Landslide]

Oh balls.

Fulfils your needs apart from V-brakes. Cantis? Discs?

 

[MacB]

this is going to be for a SS or fixed so shifters not a concern at present.

 

[Landslide]

In that case, you can get V-brake compatible brake levers for use with drops from Tektro or Dia-Compe. You probably couldn't get V's to work too well with interrupter levers though...

 

[MacB]

Thanks Landslide, I think I'll go with the non v-brake option then as I do want the 2 sets of levers....cheers....Al

 

[NickM]

I stand to be corrected, but I don't think any secondary brake lever is designed to work with V-brakes (or any brake which requires lots of cable pull). Cyclocross bikes generally use wide-profile cantilevers, which require a lever which pulls less cable.

However... I don't see why you would feel happier on the flats of low-pro bars when descending - I certainly wouldn't. I think your perceived need may turn out to be illusory. My ideal (based on what I know of your tastes) would be Avid cable discs (road version) operated by Tektro bar-end brake levers on either Profile Airwing or Syntace Stratos bars.

 

[MacB]

Interesting Nick, will have to look at disc brakes, been avoiding, probably due to fear of the unknown.

There is a widget that allows two levers for v-brakes, kind of a cable splitter. So each lever has a seperate cable run from just above the noodley bit. It's an American firm and quite expensive for a little bit of metal, must dog out link.

 

[mickle]

Slightly OT but ..Has anyone else noticed the fashion in the pro peleton for very shallow bars? I think it's because threadless stems result in lower bar heights and using a shallow bar brings the drops back up a bit.

 

[Young Un]

Slightly OT but ..Has anyone else noticed the fashion in the pro peleton for very shallow bars? I think it's because threadless stems result in lower bar heights and using a shallow bar brings the drops back up a bit.

I have noticed this also. All the older guys in my club complain about not being able to get deep srops anymore, and keep rattling on about how it is now more aero for us youngsters to ride on the hoods and just collapse our elbows.