Fashion police? (bar ends) + advice

[domtyler]

Most people think butterfly bars are an abomination and that bar-ends on riser bars are the work of Satan. Bar-ends are a hill-climbing aid not a 'comfort' accessory for pootlers.

There, I've said it.

Insert winky smilie here.

Most people know that your knowledge of cycling and the cycling world could be written on the back of a matchbox Mickle, so it's all kind of irrelevant really don't you think?

 

[Leadlegs]

I use bar ends on my mountain bike and find them great for climbing steep hills. I wouldn't be without them. However, my bars flat. Mainly because my bike is getting on a bit, (but continues to serve me faithfully - Orange know how to build a bike that lasts) and was bought just before the fashion for riser bars became the norm.

Call me old fashioned, but I still think that my flat bars look much better than risers.

 

[andrew-the-tortoise]

I use some low cost bar ends [wrapped in padded handlebar tape] fitted to riser bars. I find these most comfortable - especially stomping up hills.

The butterfly bars look a good idea though.

 

[mickle]

Please God no more butterfly bars. They so ugly.

 

[mickle]

Most people know that your knowledge of cycling and the cycling world could be written on the back of a matchbox Mickle, so it's all kind of irrelevant really don't you think?

How jolly jolly dare you.

 

[Radius]

Interesting set of opinions. Went up to LBS today and got some Spec. A1 bar ends, and they seem to fit the purpose I was looking for. Didn't order online as I needed them sooner rather than later and were only about £4 more in the shop.
It is true that they make the front end look like Satan riding up a hill, but that could be a good thing

 

[PpPete]

Most people are tending towards the European style butterfly bars nowadays as they are far more comfortable and offer more hand positions than any other type of bar. This is my bike recently fitted with butterflys:

Can you give us some idea of what brake and shifter levers you have there - and how they are mounted. I'm thinking of getting butterfly bars but can't figure out best options, as I'm not real keen on STI.

 

[domtyler]

Hi Pete, brake levers are Avid speed dial 7 and shifters are Shimano R770 10 Speed Trigger Shifters.

 

[Yellow Fang]

Bar ends are dead handy for climbing up hills, even off road. They are definitely a boon for cycling long distances on the road. They only look good on flat bars, and not even on all flat bars. They looked horrible on my Genesis fast commuter bike.