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Date: 16 Jun 2007 20:59:05
From: doofy
Subject: Handlebar options
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I don't know the proper names for the different handlebar options, but I've ridden bikes where the handlebars are straight across, and the gear shifts work well this way, and the ends of the handlebars don't hit my legs. HOwever, that straight across, palms down position might not be good for the wrists on long hauls. I've ridden other bikes where the handlebars dropped on each end, like this /=\, and twisting the gear shifters were not that comfortable, and the handlebar ends could sometimes hit my legs. Is there any option where the handlebar ends are like this /_\, where the ends will not hit the legs, and the hands can be at an angle. Not sure what this would do to the grip shifter ergonomics. Or possibility of impaling yourself if you ever happened to go end over.
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Date: 21 Jun 2007 10:32:01
From: Jim
Subject: Re: Handlebar options
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doofy came up with this when s/he headbutted the keyboard a moment ago in alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent: > I don't know the proper names for the different handlebar options, but > I've ridden bikes where the handlebars are straight across, and the gear > shifts work well this way, and the ends of the handlebars don't hit my > legs. HOwever, that straight across, palms down position might not be > good for the wrists on long hauls. > > I've ridden other bikes where the handlebars dropped on each end, like > this /=\, and twisting the gear shifters were not that comfortable, and > the handlebar ends could sometimes hit my legs. > > Is there any option where the handlebar ends are like this /_\, where > the ends will not hit the legs, and the hands can be at an angle. Not > sure what this would do to the grip shifter ergonomics. Or possibility > of impaling yourself if you ever happened to go end over. I have a Giant Stiletto with what I'd describe as a short monkeybar. Over the years on uprights I developed the habit of leaning into turns, which has carried over onto the lowrider - my knee pretty much drags the floor on tight turns, hence the handlebar misses it completely, notwithstanding the fact that the bar end hits the stop about an inch from the crossbar. Even with the skate, I lean over that much the bike goes from an upright 21' turning circle to something like 11' on the lean at full lock - I don't ever take turns that tight particularly at the speeds I go... -- If you can read this - The bitch fell off!
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Date: 17 Jun 2007 08:10:56
From: Al K
Subject: Re: Handlebar options
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doofy wrote: > I don't know the proper names for the different handlebar options, but > I've ridden bikes where the handlebars are straight across, and the gear > shifts work well this way, and the ends of the handlebars don't hit my > legs. HOwever, that straight across, palms down position might not be > good for the wrists on long hauls. > > I've ridden other bikes where the handlebars dropped on each end, like > this /=\, and twisting the gear shifters were not that comfortable, and > the handlebar ends could sometimes hit my legs. > > Is there any option where the handlebar ends are like this /_\, where > the ends will not hit the legs, and the hands can be at an angle. Not > sure what this would do to the grip shifter ergonomics. Or possibility > of impaling yourself if you ever happened to go end over. Hi Doofy, Bike shops carry a variety of inexpensive handlebars. Experiment with several. Brake and gear controls are usually not a problem. Also experiment with riser bars as they can provide adjustability options that a handlebar alone cannot. Usually bar ends are only likely to hit your legs are on very sharp turns. This contact is easily avoided by having legs in proper position. I have a Bacchetta Corsa with bar end shifters and do not have problems with legs hitting either bar ends or front wheel on sharp turns. On really sharp turns, as a U-turn at slow speed, I unclip and have feet in down position. Al K Al K
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Date: 17 Jun 2007 20:32:39
From: Zebee Johnstone
Subject: Re: Handlebar options
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In alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent on Sun, 17 Jun 2007 08:10:56 -0400 Al K <kubeluis@atlanticbb.net > wrote: > I have a Bacchetta Corsa with bar end shifters and do not have > problems with legs hitting either bar ends or front wheel on sharp > turns. On really sharp turns, as a U-turn at slow speed, I unclip and > have feet in down position. Ditto, except I have a Giro 20 with the flexstem. On most tight turns I just straighten the inner leg. On *really* tight ones, such as the 180 deg exit on a particular footbridge-turned-shared-path I push the stem forward on its hinge so I can get the front wheel turned 90deg. I did find that it took a while to have the balance and timing to do tight turns without unclipping and dropping the inside leg. I couldn't do it when I first got on the bike, but was doing it after a few weeks. Zebee
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Date: 16 Jun 2007 21:24:54
From: Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman
Subject: Re: Handlebar options
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On Jun 16, 10:59 pm, doofy wrote: > I don't know the proper names for the different handlebar options, but > I've ridden bikes where the handlebars are straight across, and the gear > shifts work well this way, and the ends of the handlebars don't hit my > legs. HOwever, that straight across, palms down position might not be > good for the wrists on long hauls. The flat "T" bars are perfectly comfortable and work well with twist grip shifters. > I've ridden other bikes where the handlebars dropped on each end, like > this /=\, and twisting the gear shifters were not that comfortable, and > the handlebar ends could sometimes hit my legs. The "C" bars with drooping ends require more effort to hold one's arms up. > Is there any option where the handlebar ends are like this /_\, where > the ends will not hit the legs, and the hands can be at an angle. If you mean end that stick up on an over seat steering bike, probably not, unless you make your own using MTB bar ends. > Not > sure what this would do to the grip shifter ergonomics. Or possibility > of impaling yourself if you ever happened to go end over. If you mean end that stick up on an over seat steering bike, probably not, unless you make your own using MTB bar ends. Going "end over" is practically impossible on a properly designed recumbent, so it will not happen unless you are riding an old Hypercycle or other short wheelbase bike with an excessively long boom. -- Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia The weather is here, wish you were beautiful
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