What handlebars do you choose?

[Sara_H]

I use my everyday bike when I tour, a specialized myka fitted with a rack and slicks.

I'm very happy with my set up, the only thing I need to do something about is the handlebars. I get achy hands and wrists.

I hear that adding bar ends to add some variety to hand position may help?

What do you all use, do you have any recomendations?

 

[SquareDaff]

I used to use short Ritchey WXS' on my hybrid (when I had it).
Might be worth investing in some good gel gloves too.

 

[Sara_H]

I used to use short Ritchey WXS' on my hybrid (when I had it).
Might be worth investing in some good gel gloves too.

I have gel gloves, which help alot, just need to sort out the hand position.

 

[Pale Rider]

An alternative hand position is a good plan.

I would also go for palm grips.

http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/a6...cr=GBP&cn=gb&gclid=COvClIrcv7UCFabLtAodEFoAuA

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

A lot of Brompton riders swear by Ergon grips with built in bar ends. I've tried these on a few bikes but don't get on with them at all.

I used to suffer badly from hand pins and needles etc. until I got the new Brompton model for taller riders, the bars are now above the saddle by about an inch....the difference in long term comfort is amazing, no hand pain at all and I'm using Brooks slender grips with no bar ends.

 

[SquareDaff]

I have gel gloves, which help alot, just need to sort out the hand position.

I also used a set of clip on tri bars. They weren't on the hybrid when it was stolen and both my bikes have drop bars now. You're more than welcome to have them if you want.

 

[Sara_H]

I

A lot of Brompton riders swear by Ergon grips with built in bar ends. I've tried these on a few bikes but don't get on with them at all.

I used to suffer badly from hand pins and needles etc. until I got the new Brompton model for taller riders, the bars are now above the saddle by about an inch....the difference in long term comfort is amazing, no hand pain at all and I'm using Brooks slender grips with no bar ends.

like to have my handlebars quite high, when I'm on the folder it's more or less chest height!
I'm scoffed at by "serious" cyclists for having the handlebars higher, but I prefer the position and it reduces the pressure on hands and wrists loads.

 

[Sara_H]

I also used a set of clip on tri bars. They weren't on the hybrid when it was stolen and both my bikes have drop bars now. You're more than welcome to have them if you want.

Had to google that, had no idea what tri bars are!

They don't quite look like my cup of tea, thank you for the kind offer though!

 

[GrasB]

Had to google that, had no idea what tri bars are!

They don't quite look like my cup of tea, thank you for the kind offer though!

Once you get a comfortable position with aero bars are fairly useful for touring & endurance/ultra cycling. From a contact point of view it makes a much larger contact point for any weight that you put on the bars & actually takes stress off the small of your back.

 

[SquareDaff]

Had to google that, had no idea what tri bars are!

They don't quite look like my cup of tea, thank you for the kind offer though!

You're welcome! . I used them as a trial to see if my back would take riding in a "dropped" position. Actually found it to be very comfortable and I seemed to have a lot more efficient pedalling action.

Unfortunately I couldn't fit both bars and lights on the hybrid and in the depths of winter dark then lights won out (hence the reason they weren't on the stolen bike).

 

[sidevalve]

Others have far more experience than me on long distances here but FWIW I tried bar ends and other than as a protection for the hands when squeezing through narrow gaps I never really found any benefit in them.

 

[snailracer]

Drop bars and "straight" bars aren't typically the same diameter, so there would be lots of hassle finding a new stem and brake levers and shifters if you wanted to switch between bars of different diameter.

Might I suggest "North Road"/"North Way"/"North Rounder" - type bars? I, too, like to sit fairly upright, and fitted ergo grips and bar ends onto the straight bars that used to be on my commuter, which improved my wrist ache somewhat. However, I found that none of those was needed for comfort after I swapped over to the North Rounder bars (£16 from SJS cycles, similar available from many sources). They are 22mm diameter, by the way.

 

[Pale Rider]

I
like to have my handlebars quite high, when I'm on the folder it's more or less chest height!
I'm scoffed at by "serious" cyclists for having the handlebars higher, but I prefer the position and it reduces the pressure on hands and wrists loads.

I also like higher bars - a bit higher than the saddle as a general rule.

How about a stem riser/extender for the Myka?

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I have long term wrist issues (dislocating 20-30 times a day before 11 ops over 15 years & only parital feeling in it plus bones disintergrating) so was very keen to sort the setup out on my touring bike before we set out.

I have SJS comfort bars, Ergon GP1 grips and SJS Comfort ergon bar ends combined with gel gloves the setup has been brilliant and rarely had issues over the course of th 8,700 miles. I understand the EJE comfort bars have been designed by their physiotherapist to reduce wrist issues IIRC. Not the best picture, but gives you the concept.

 

[djb1971]

Take a look at Mary bars from on one. You could add ergo grips too.

Serious cyclists may think that isn't a cool look though.