[RBW] Re: Soma Oxford vs. Nitto Albatross

[Scot Brooks]

Hi Cecily,
Here's what 
flickrhad to 
offer for the comparison. They really are remarkably similar, even 
near-as-makes-no-difference. We carry both in the shop where I work and I 
really can't tell if there's a difference when I hold the two up to each 
other. I've got the Somas on my bike and they're great, but nothing like 
the Nitto in terms of finish. Not even close.

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[RBW] Re: Soma Oxford vs. Nitto Albatross

[doc]

I've got both a pair of Albatross as well as a pair of Oxfords.  I found 
the shapes to be identical, with the Oxfords having a better finish.  While 
I haven't measured them, it seems the Oxfords are also a slightly smaller 
diameter between the ends and the center.  I found them discounted on line 
for $38.

On Monday, February 24, 2014 3:14:47 AM UTC-5, Cecily Walker wrote:
>
> When my bike shop substituted the Soma Oxford handlebars for the Nitto 
> Albatrosses I'd originally requested, I was told that the handlebars were 
> "just like" Nitto, except for the finish. However, I'm learning that the 
> Albatross bars are a bit wider, and they're also a bit longer than the 
> Somas. 
>
> I'm wondering if anyone has a photograph or some other graphic that 
> compares the size of the two handlebars so that I would be able to see the 
> difference? I'm still trying to tune in the right fit on the Betty Foy, and 
> even though I've gone in for a fitting, I can't help wondering if the 
> longer, wider Albatross handlebars would make an appreciable difference in 
> how the bike feels, especially on those days when the arthritis is flaring 
> up and my wrists hurt a lot. 
>
> Thanks in advance!
>

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[RBW] Re: Soma Oxford vs. Nitto Albatross

[Matthew J]

with the Oxfords having a better finish 

Shinier maybe.  Nitto have a luster made by hand.  Oxfords are all machine.

On Monday, February 24, 2014 6:00:15 AM UTC-6, doc wrote:
>
> I've got both a pair of Albatross as well as a pair of Oxfords.  I found 
> the shapes to be identical, with the Oxfords having a better finish.  While 
> I haven't measured them, it seems the Oxfords are also a slightly smaller 
> diameter between the ends and the center.  I found them discounted on line 
> for $38.
>
> On Monday, February 24, 2014 3:14:47 AM UTC-5, Cecily Walker wrote:
>>
>> When my bike shop substituted the Soma Oxford handlebars for the Nitto 
>> Albatrosses I'd originally requested, I was told that the handlebars were 
>> "just like" Nitto, except for the finish. However, I'm learning that the 
>> Albatross bars are a bit wider, and they're also a bit longer than the 
>> Somas. 
>>
>> I'm wondering if anyone has a photograph or some other graphic that 
>> compares the size of the two handlebars so that I would be able to see the 
>> difference? I'm still trying to tune in the right fit on the Betty Foy, and 
>> even though I've gone in for a fitting, I can't help wondering if the 
>> longer, wider Albatross handlebars would make an appreciable difference in 
>> how the bike feels, especially on those days when the arthritis is flaring 
>> up and my wrists hurt a lot. 
>>
>> Thanks in advance!
>>
>

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[RBW] Re: Soma Oxford vs. Nitto Albatross

[Cecily Walker]

Thanks for this, Scot! The Albatrosses look to be a bit wider, but not so 
much that they'd make a huge difference. 

On Monday, February 24, 2014 2:29:13 AM UTC-8, Scot Brooks wrote:
>
> Hi Cecily,
> Here's what 
> flickrhad 
> to offer for the comparison. They really are remarkably similar, even 
> near-as-makes-no-difference. We carry both in the shop where I work and I 
> really can't tell if there's a difference when I hold the two up to each 
> other. I've got the Somas on my bike and they're great, but nothing like 
> the Nitto in terms of finish. Not even close.
>

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[RBW] Re: Soma Oxford vs. Nitto Albatross

[Evan Baird]

It's worth noting the Nitto comes in a steel version, which the Soma 
doesn't. Probably won't matter for road riding, but for gravel/single track 
it makes a big difference.

On Monday, February 24, 2014 8:42:24 AM UTC-8, Cecily Walker wrote:
>
> Thanks for this, Scot! The Albatrosses look to be a bit wider, but not so 
> much that they'd make a huge difference. 
>
> On Monday, February 24, 2014 2:29:13 AM UTC-8, Scot Brooks wrote:
>>
>> Hi Cecily,
>> Here's what 
>> flickrhad 
>> to offer for the comparison. They really are remarkably similar, even 
>> near-as-makes-no-difference. We carry both in the shop where I work and I 
>> really can't tell if there's a difference when I hold the two up to each 
>> other. I've got the Somas on my bike and they're great, but nothing like 
>> the Nitto in terms of finish. Not even close.
>>
>

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[RBW] Re: Soma Oxford vs. Nitto Albatross

[Liesl]

Cecily, I have some lyme-related problems with my joints and also a few 
ragged vertebra in my neck.  Don't rule out Boscos as they are dreamy for 
comfy hands/wrists/neck and offer lots of hand positions.  I switched three 
bikes (saluki, protobleriot set up as a single speed, and a Bike Friday) 
with old style mustaches to Boscos and haven't looked back.  I still have 
albas on one bike, and I like the Boscos more.  You'll need a long 
(10-12cm) stem.

good luck!

Liesl

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[RBW] Re: Soma Oxford vs. Nitto Albatross

[Liesl]

FS, Tires, Bars, and Bag oh my

Cecily, if you're interested, this thread has a Bosco/stem set-up

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[RBW] Re: Soma Oxford vs. Nitto Albatross

[Cecily Walker]

Hey Liesl,

Keven at Riv actually suggested the Boscos back when I thought I was going 
to buy the build kit from Riv, but for whatever reason (stupidity on my 
part, maybe?) they didn't make it onto my list of considerations when I had 
the bike built locally. They sort of remind me of the handlebars I had on 
my Dutch bike. Now that I think of it, that isn't necessarily a bad thing. 
 I've just gotten so used to riding in a somewhat forward position (instead 
of bolt upright) that I worry the Boscos might make me too upright, if that 
makes any sense. 

Thanks for the reminder and the link to the other thread. I've got some 
thinkin' to do.

On Monday, February 24, 2014 10:16:34 AM UTC-8, Liesl wrote:
>
> Cecily, I have some lyme-related problems with my joints and also a few 
> ragged vertebra in my neck.  Don't rule out Boscos as they are dreamy for 
> comfy hands/wrists/neck and offer lots of hand positions.  I switched three 
> bikes (saluki, protobleriot set up as a single speed, and a Bike Friday) 
> with old style mustaches to Boscos and haven't looked back.  I still have 
> albas on one bike, and I like the Boscos more.  You'll need a long 
> (10-12cm) stem.
>
> good luck!
>
> Liesl
>

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[RBW] Re: Soma Oxford vs. Nitto Albatross

[sean]

Hi Cecily,

I used Nitto North Roads and I found them similar enough to Albatross bars 
but a little wider and more comfortable. So, you may consider those. They 
seem to be more widely available too. That being said, I am with Liesl on 
this one. I have similar vertebrae issues (stenosis in the neck) and have 
converted two of my bikes to Bosco bars. I can attest that they are great 
bars and offer many more positions that the Albatross. When Grant developed 
them, I honestly never in a million years thought I would ride bars like 
that. But after 2 rounds of PT, I committed to a more upright riding style 
(bye-bye drop bars) and find the Boscos to be wonderful. They are nice and 
wide and offer a natural position for cruising but also allow you to grab 
ahead of your levers for climbing and more aggressive riding. I've even 
grab the "flats" and tucked into a aerodynamic descent. They also allow 
plenty of room up front for a nice basket (on a Mark's rack) with no cable 
interference. 
Good luck with you setup and glad to hear you are back on the bike!

Best regards,
Sean

>
>
>
>>

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