Latest Research -Butterfly bars

[Crackle]

Did you position them the same as in the picture I posted. If so did you need a longer stem?

 

[Andy in Sig]

I can't open your picture here at work. I positioned them so that the leading edge was slightly higher than the edge nearest me. I raised the stem by about 2 inches. Some people don't think of that and you see them going around with more or less vertical butterfly bars (= about 6-8 inches of stem increase), which suggests to me that they actually need a different design of bike.

 

[Bodhbh]

They're good, just worry some drip with sticky fingers thinks the bike is worth 2 grand after that round the world chap on TV.

 

[summerdays]

I would definately like to try riding a bike with them and see what I think ... secretly I want them - but would they look silly on my bike... and where do you put your bell... all those sort of questions...

 

[simoncc]

Drop handlebars are still the best for me. They give a good change of grip positions and they are narrow enabling easy navigation through stationary lines of traffic.

I think butterfly bars are mainly used by people who are leisure cyclists who want a variation on the straight bars they are used to, but who consider drops to be a bit old-fashioned and fuddy-duddy. Such people also tend to go in for useless gimmicks like suspension seatposts and front suspension. For the more serious cyclist who puts function over fashion drops are still the obvious choice for any type of bike to be used on the road.

 

[Crackle]

I use the drops less and less nowdays but love the hood position so I wouldn't change my audax bike nor my mtn bike for other reasons but if I ever put together a commuter I think they'd be high on my list for consideration.

Not sure about something like an expedition bike but as I'm fairly unlikey to ever go on one it's moot.

 

[simoncc]

I use the drops less and less nowdays but love the hood position so I wouldn't change my audax bike nor my mtn bike for other reasons but if I ever put together a commuter I think they'd be high on my list for consideration.

Not sure about something like an expedition bike but as I'm fairly unlikey to ever go on one it's moot.

For a commuter in town these bars are not that good. They are wide like straight bars, even slightly wider in some cases, and mean its more difficult to get through gaps between stationary cars. I remember commuting on an MTB for a few weeks when I was living away from home and using a borrowed bike. Wing mirrors were getting bashed at an alarming rate! Drops are best for commuting.

 

[domtyler]

The butterfly bars I use are fairly narrow compared to the bars I replaced (On One Mungo wide drops) and before that the flat bars with bar ends. They are still, admittedly, wider than the drops on my fixie that are incredibly narrow.

I find though that the increased leverage really helps when trying to accelerate away with a laden up bike, especially with a fast growing child sitting astern.

 

[GrahamG]

Fugly

 

[Crackle]

Did you fit a longer stem as the way round you have them would bring the levers back a fair way unless the stem was lengthened

 

[domtyler]

Fugly

I don't think so, here is my bike recently fitted and I think they look pretty darned great!

 

[4F]

I don't think so, here is my bike recently fitted and I think they look pretty darned great!

No still fugly

 

[domtyler]

No still fugly

Just for that I'm gonna fit 'em to my Dolan too!

 

[4F]

Just for that I'm gonna fit 'em to my Dolan too!

If you want to ride around like a big girls blouse then please don't let me stop you. The only thing missing from your picture is some sparkly pink tassles coming out of the bar ends

 

[domtyler]

If you want to ride around like a big girls blouse then please don't let me stop you. The only thing missing from your picture is some sparkly pink tassles coming out of the bar ends

They're on back order!