Re: [RBW] Re: can anyone relate--getting older (50) and back into cycling: finding drops not so easy...
I'm closer to 60 than 50, and still like drops, but using a high rise stem to get the flat part of the bars up over the saddle height. Not as aero in the drops as I used to be, but enough to handle a headwind. On Mon, Jun 13, 2011 at 12:42 AM, Bob linthi...@gmail.com wrote: A key to this being comfortable is being of optimal body weight. On Jun 6, 4:55 pm, canali jwcoll...@hotmail.com wrote: just wondering if it's just me and i need to take my time adding the mileage and being consistent and patient (and getting back into shape) OR do alot of us as we get older no longer find being so bent down as comfortable...thinking of swapping out drops on atlantis for jeff jones h loop bars or the north road bars. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: can anyone relate--getting older (50) and back into cycling: finding drops not so easy...
If you don't ever use the drops you are either going too slow, setting the bars too low, or don't need them. Ahem. On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 11:03 PM, charlie charles_v...@hotmail.com wrote: I took mine off a couple years ago because I found myself looking at it instead of where I was going along with having the mindset of trying to go faster..it just seemed pointless. Like you, I enjoy riding more because of it..to the original poster I can relate, I turn 53 in September and figure I'm on the downward curve so I'm enjoying everything I can now. On Jun 6, 9:41 pm, SISDDWG dgen...@gmail.com wrote: I've lost a lot of power and speed, and this year feel a drop in endurance, but as long as I don't look at a bike computer too much, my happiness per mile hasn't trailed off. Yep, I had a computer on all six of my bikes but when I reached 65 years of age all the computers were remove. I enjoy cycling as much as ever. On Jun 6, 4:37 pm, MichaelH mhech...@gmail.com wrote: I took about a ten year break from cycling in my forties when life demanded I focus exclusively on other things. When I started back, I set two rules for myself which proved very useful. First I went on a (Atkins) diet and lost 40 lbs. Second, as I recommitted myself I decided to avoid riding so much on any day that I wouldn't want to ride again tomorrow. Both of those proved to be very useful decisions. About the same time I discovered Rivendell and I raised my bars. Setting them about 2 cm below my saddle provided great relieve to my back and especially my neck muscles. Drop bars provide the most variety for hand positions, which relieve stress on the wrist shoulders. I found putting them higher than the saddle prevented me from standing up, and Vt has lots of short steep rollers to get over, which are often easiest if you stand up and give some push. I'm in my mid-late 60's now and continue to ride with drop bars about 2 cm below the seat. I do some yoga after every ride now. I've lost a lot of power and speed, and this year feel a drop in endurance, but as long as I don't look at a bike computer too much, my happiness per mile hasn't trailed off. Drop bars also offer the least stress on the buns and maybe the feet too, which have been a problem for me. michael just back from a happy, hilly 20 mile ride. On Jun 6, 11:55 am, canali jwcoll...@hotmail.com wrote: just wondering if it's just me and i need to take my time adding the mileage and being consistent and patient (and getting back into shape) OR do alot of us as we get older no longer find being so bent down as comfortable...thinking of swapping out drops on atlantis for jeff jones h loop bars or the north road bars. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- Bill Gibson Tempe, Arizona, USA -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: can anyone relate--getting older (50) and back into cycling: finding drops not so easy...
Speaking of bars, I could use an 8 cm 1 1/8 threadless stem, preferably black, 10* rise or modest rise; for the Fargo. Can trade goods or pay cash. Thanks. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: can anyone relate--getting older (50) and back into cycling: finding drops not so easy...
On Mon, 2011-06-06 at 19:39 -0700, Mike S wrote: Noodles came with my Quickbeam and I abhorred the whole crouched over, knees-in-the-chest speedy position. You're describing bad fit, not the way things are supposed to be with drop bars. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: can anyone relate--getting older (50) and back into cycling: finding drops not so easy...
Agreed! There's a big difference between drop bars 5 cm below the saddle and drop bars raised to even or even a few cm above the saddle. Reach to the bars is a major factor in comfort, as well. On Tue, Jun 7, 2011 at 6:45 AM, Steve Palincsar palin...@his.com wrote: On Mon, 2011-06-06 at 19:39 -0700, Mike S wrote: Noodles came with my Quickbeam and I abhorred the whole crouched over, knees-in-the-chest speedy position. You're describing bad fit, not the way things are supposed to be with drop bars. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- Ken Freeman Ann Arbor, MI USA -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
RE: [RBW] Re: can anyone relate--getting older (50) and back into cycling: finding drops not so easy...
never got outta cycling once i started again as an adult(prolly round 35 or so) but i dont have one single road bike with drop bars. never found em useful here. mustache bars, flat bars, arc bars all variety of tourist bars old and new etc etc well behaved women rarely make history _ride yr friggin bicycle_ Date: Mon, 6 Jun 2011 12:46:29 -0700 Subject: [RBW] Re: can anyone relate--getting older (50) and back into cycling: finding drops not so easy... From: dgen...@gmail.com To: rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com I'm 71 years old and ride drop bars at about saddle level, though my weekly mileage these days is probably a little less than 100. On Jun 6, 8:55 am, canali jwcoll...@hotmail.com wrote: just wondering if it's just me and i need to take my time adding the mileage and being consistent and patient (and getting back into shape) OR do alot of us as we get older no longer find being so bent down as comfortable...thinking of swapping out drops on atlantis for jeff jones h loop bars or the north road bars. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: can anyone relate--getting older (50) and back into cycling: finding drops not so easy...
+1 for drops, and not too wide, either. I've been playing around with bars on different bikes and recently lowered the Noodles on the Fargo by a good 5 cm (they were 8 above and felt fine, except that riding on the hoods and flats felt tippy. Now they feel good all around except that they are too far forward but I will remedy that by swapping them out for Salsa Bell Laps, much shallower and shorter. (The Fargo is set up for dirt roads.) The Herse has the bar (39.5 Belleris) about 75 mm below saddle on a 9 cm stem, saddles the same as the Rivs, and I was thinking how nice it is and perhaps I ought to raise and extend the bars on the 2 Rivs from 8 cm stem and 4 cm below to the same, but riding one of the Rivs today, it felt so good that I think I will leave it alone for now. I can always do it later, but why mess with success? I ride a lot in the hooks, too, thanks to our winds. Each to his own, of course. On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 2:17 PM, Michael_S mikeybi...@rocketmail.com wrote: Everytime I try something different than drop bars I never seem to feel comfortable. M-bars, VO Milan bars, I even tried some Mountain drop bars. I still come back to drops... specifcally 46cm Noodles. Mine are at seat height and with a Brooks B17 I am snug as a bug in a rug. ~mike -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: can anyone relate--getting older (50) and back into cycling: finding drops not so easy...
Forgot to add: 56 yrs old. On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 5:42 PM, PATRICK MOORE bertin...@gmail.com wrote: +1 for drops, and not too wide, either. I've been playing around with bars on different bikes and recently lowered the Noodles on the Fargo by a good 5 cm (they were 8 above and felt fine, except that riding on the hoods and flats felt tippy. Now they feel good all around except that they are too far forward but I will remedy that by swapping them out for Salsa Bell Laps, much shallower and shorter. (The Fargo is set up for dirt roads.) The Herse has the bar (39.5 Belleris) about 75 mm below saddle on a 9 cm stem, saddles the same as the Rivs, and I was thinking how nice it is and perhaps I ought to raise and extend the bars on the 2 Rivs from 8 cm stem and 4 cm below to the same, but riding one of the Rivs today, it felt so good that I think I will leave it alone for now. I can always do it later, but why mess with success? I ride a lot in the hooks, too, thanks to our winds. Each to his own, of course. On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 2:17 PM, Michael_S mikeybi...@rocketmail.com wrote: Everytime I try something different than drop bars I never seem to feel comfortable. M-bars, VO Milan bars, I even tried some Mountain drop bars. I still come back to drops... specifcally 46cm Noodles. Mine are at seat height and with a Brooks B17 I am snug as a bug in a rug. ~mike -- Patrick Moore Albuquerque, NM For professional resumes, contact Patrick Moore, ACRW patrickmo...@resumespecialties.com A billion stars go spinning through the night Blazing high above your head; But in you is the Presence that will be When all the stars are dead. (Rilke, Buddha in Glory) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: can anyone relate--getting older (50) and back into cycling: finding drops not so easy...
On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 5:37 PM, MichaelH mhech...@gmail.com , late 60, wrote: Drop bars also offer the least stress on the buns and maybe the feet too, which have been a problem for me. Amen to that, and thanks for your inspiring example. I am always pleased to find that a good saddle position and bar postion makes buns, shoulders, neck, arms, hands comfortable, far more effect than any gloves or padding (I don't wear gloved or padded shorts). AND I rode in briefs (under street shorts!) today, too, and briefs as opposed to boxers are generally not as comfortable, but I completely forgot about them while riding. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: can anyone relate--getting older (50) and back into cycling: finding drops not so easy...
On Mon, 2011-06-06 at 17:46 -0600, PATRICK MOORE wrote: briefs as opposed to boxers are generally not as comfortable, but I completely forgot about them while riding. Try doing that on a century sometime and you may find the leg elastics leaving an indelible impression on both mind and body. I still remember my first century attempt, in 1973 - always brings this song to mind. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lhf9U5Wf3Q -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: can anyone relate--getting older (50) and back into cycling: finding drops not so easy...
Steve, you have a low mind. Patrick don't let me even think about that Moore On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 5:49 PM, Steve Palincsar palin...@his.com wrote: On Mon, 2011-06-06 at 17:46 -0600, PATRICK MOORE wrote: briefs as opposed to boxers are generally not as comfortable, but I completely forgot about them while riding. Try doing that on a century sometime and you may find the leg elastics leaving an indelible impression on both mind and body. I still remember my first century attempt, in 1973 - always brings this song to mind. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lhf9U5Wf3Q -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- Patrick Moore Albuquerque, NM For professional resumes, contact Patrick Moore, ACRW patrickmo...@resumespecialties.com A billion stars go spinning through the night Blazing high above your head; But in you is the Presence that will be When all the stars are dead. (Rilke, Buddha in Glory) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: can anyone relate--getting older (50) and back into cycling: finding drops not so easy...
Has anyone tried these or the functional equivalents? http://www.compasscycle.com/images/MaesPara800.jpg (From Compass Bicycles: http://www.compasscycle.com/Handlebars.html) Copies of these, apparently: http://www.bikequarterly.com/images/Hersefixed.jpg Me, Ahm 'a thinkin' that they may well do very nicely as replacements for the Nitto 185s on the 8 cm Nitto stems on my two low-bar Riv customs. On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 6:55 PM, Bill M. bmenn...@comcast.net wrote: 52 years young here, and for me drops are the only comfortable long- distance option. I do have and like the Noodles, but I find that the modern 'compact' or 'short-n-shallow' shaped bars have some advantages. The short drop makes the drop position easier to reach without the raising tops so high that standing to climb feels ungainly. The short reach seems to me more appropriate when using modern brake levers. Long reach bars were designed for non-aero brake levers. Modern brake levers (be they brifters or Tektro or SRAM aero levers) allow a hand position that's a couple of cm further forward than did non-aero or even early aero levers. The shorter reach of the compact bars compensates for that extra reach. I use a 3T Ergosum bar on my go-fast (with Campy brifters) and find its very comfortable whether on the hoods, the ramps, the hooks or the drops. Unfortunately it's only available in black and 31.8. Ritchie now makes a bar called the Classic Curve that looks similar, same drop, a bit less reach, still 31.8 but polished silver. It should look OK with a silver VO stem and a threadless adapter. I have another bike with a Salsa Woodchipper off-road drop bar. It's very short reach, very short drop, very wide and very flared in the drops. It looks a bit awkward and makes parking the bike harder, but once rolling I find it's pretty comfortable. the Noodles are on my Riv, but with a shorter stem than I used to ride. Even with the tops at saddle height the drops feel low and the hoods far away. I'm tempted to try the Classic Curve on that bike. I'm already using a threadless stem and adapter so the swap would be easy. And the threadless + adapter combo is actually lighter than the Technomic Deluxe it replaced. Bill I really recommend you try a compact or short-n-shallow bar before you write off drops. Grinding into a headwind on North Roads just isn't a lot of fun. On Jun 6, 8:55 am, canali jwcoll...@hotmail.com wrote: just wondering if it's just me and i need to take my time adding the mileage and being consistent and patient (and getting back into shape) OR do alot of us as we get older no longer find being so bent down as comfortable...thinking of swapping out drops on atlantis for jeff jones h loop bars or the north road bars. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- Patrick Moore Albuquerque, NM For professional resumes, contact Patrick Moore, ACRW patrickmo...@resumespecialties.com A billion stars go spinning through the night Blazing high above your head; But in you is the Presence that will be When all the stars are dead. (Rilke, Buddha in Glory) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: can anyone relate--getting older (50) and back into cycling: finding drops not so easy...
Jim -- I look at nice, tight, shallow bend on the PRallels On Jun 6, 2011, at 7:10 PM, Jim Cloud cloud...@aol.com wrote: Patrick, I think the Grand Bois Maes Parallel type bars look quite nice. Peter Weigle used them on his Black Tie bike that was featured in BQ. Here's a link to Weigle's Photostream of that bike: http://www.flickr.com/photos/49353569@N00/sets/72157625305683679/with/5209479494/ Still it begs the question, why would you want to replace the Nitto Mod. 185 bars on your Riv customs? I think the Mod 185 is one of the nicest bars I've used. Just thinking... Jim Cloud Tucson, AZ On Jun 6, 6:01 pm, PATRICK MOORE bertin...@gmail.com wrote: Has anyone tried these or the functional equivalents? http://www.compasscycle.com/images/MaesPara800.jpg (From Compass Bicycles:http://www.compasscycle.com/Handlebars.html) Copies of these, apparently:http://www.bikequarterly.com/images/Hersefixed.jpg Me, Ahm 'a thinkin' that they may well do very nicely as replacements for the Nitto 185s on the 8 cm Nitto stems on my two low-bar Riv customs. On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 6:55 PM, Bill M. bmenn...@comcast.net wrote: 52 years young here, and for me drops are the only comfortable long- distance option. I do have and like the Noodles, but I find that the modern 'compact' or 'short-n-shallow' shaped bars have some advantages. The short drop makes the drop position easier to reach without the raising tops so high that standing to climb feels ungainly. The short reach seems to me more appropriate when using modern brake levers. Long reach bars were designed for non-aero brake levers. Modern brake levers (be they brifters or Tektro or SRAM aero levers) allow a hand position that's a couple of cm further forward than did non-aero or even early aero levers. The shorter reach of the compact bars compensates for that extra reach. I use a 3T Ergosum bar on my go-fast (with Campy brifters) and find its very comfortable whether on the hoods, the ramps, the hooks or the drops. Unfortunately it's only available in black and 31.8. Ritchie now makes a bar called the Classic Curve that looks similar, same drop, a bit less reach, still 31.8 but polished silver. It should look OK with a silver VO stem and a threadless adapter. I have another bike with a Salsa Woodchipper off-road drop bar. It's very short reach, very short drop, very wide and very flared in the drops. It looks a bit awkward and makes parking the bike harder, but once rolling I find it's pretty comfortable. the Noodles are on my Riv, but with a shorter stem than I used to ride. Even with the tops at saddle height the drops feel low and the hoods far away. I'm tempted to try the Classic Curve on that bike. I'm already using a threadless stem and adapter so the swap would be easy. And the threadless + adapter combo is actually lighter than the Technomic Deluxe it replaced. Bill I really recommend you try a compact or short-n-shallow bar before you write off drops. Grinding into a headwind on North Roads just isn't a lot of fun. On Jun 6, 8:55 am, canali jwcoll...@hotmail.com wrote: just wondering if it's just me and i need to take my time adding the mileage and being consistent and patient (and getting back into shape) OR do alot of us as we get older no longer find being so bent down as comfortable...thinking of swapping out drops on atlantis for jeff jones h loop bars or the north road bars. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group athttp://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- Patrick Moore Albuquerque, NM For professional resumes, contact Patrick Moore, ACRW patrickmo...@resumespecialties.com A billion stars go spinning through the night Blazing high above your head; But in you is the Presence that will be When all the stars are dead. (Rilke, Buddha in Glory) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: can anyone relate--getting older (50) and back into cycling: finding drops not so easy...
Damned iPhone. As I was saying, I look at that tight bend with long ramps -- 135 mm drop, 115 mm reach -- and they look so comfortable. The 185s are very nice but, if you have them set up with the statutory level ends, the ramps are very short and steep. Sent from my iPhone On Jun 6, 2011, at 7:16 PM, Bertin753 bertin...@gmail.com wrote: Jim -- I look at nice, tight, shallow bend on the PRallels On Jun 6, 2011, at 7:10 PM, Jim Cloud cloud...@aol.com wrote: Patrick, I think the Grand Bois Maes Parallel type bars look quite nice. Peter Weigle used them on his Black Tie bike that was featured in BQ. Here's a link to Weigle's Photostream of that bike: http://www.flickr.com/photos/49353569@N00/sets/72157625305683679/with/5209479494/ Still it begs the question, why would you want to replace the Nitto Mod. 185 bars on your Riv customs? I think the Mod 185 is one of the nicest bars I've used. Just thinking... Jim Cloud Tucson, AZ On Jun 6, 6:01 pm, PATRICK MOORE bertin...@gmail.com wrote: Has anyone tried these or the functional equivalents? http://www.compasscycle.com/images/MaesPara800.jpg (From Compass Bicycles:http://www.compasscycle.com/Handlebars.html) Copies of these, apparently:http://www.bikequarterly.com/images/Hersefixed.jpg Me, Ahm 'a thinkin' that they may well do very nicely as replacements for the Nitto 185s on the 8 cm Nitto stems on my two low-bar Riv customs. On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 6:55 PM, Bill M. bmenn...@comcast.net wrote: 52 years young here, and for me drops are the only comfortable long- distance option. I do have and like the Noodles, but I find that the modern 'compact' or 'short-n-shallow' shaped bars have some advantages. The short drop makes the drop position easier to reach without the raising tops so high that standing to climb feels ungainly. The short reach seems to me more appropriate when using modern brake levers. Long reach bars were designed for non-aero brake levers. Modern brake levers (be they brifters or Tektro or SRAM aero levers) allow a hand position that's a couple of cm further forward than did non-aero or even early aero levers. The shorter reach of the compact bars compensates for that extra reach. I use a 3T Ergosum bar on my go-fast (with Campy brifters) and find its very comfortable whether on the hoods, the ramps, the hooks or the drops. Unfortunately it's only available in black and 31.8. Ritchie now makes a bar called the Classic Curve that looks similar, same drop, a bit less reach, still 31.8 but polished silver. It should look OK with a silver VO stem and a threadless adapter. I have another bike with a Salsa Woodchipper off-road drop bar. It's very short reach, very short drop, very wide and very flared in the drops. It looks a bit awkward and makes parking the bike harder, but once rolling I find it's pretty comfortable. the Noodles are on my Riv, but with a shorter stem than I used to ride. Even with the tops at saddle height the drops feel low and the hoods far away. I'm tempted to try the Classic Curve on that bike. I'm already using a threadless stem and adapter so the swap would be easy. And the threadless + adapter combo is actually lighter than the Technomic Deluxe it replaced. Bill I really recommend you try a compact or short-n-shallow bar before you write off drops. Grinding into a headwind on North Roads just isn't a lot of fun. On Jun 6, 8:55 am, canali jwcoll...@hotmail.com wrote: just wondering if it's just me and i need to take my time adding the mileage and being consistent and patient (and getting back into shape) OR do alot of us as we get older no longer find being so bent down as comfortable...thinking of swapping out drops on atlantis for jeff jones h loop bars or the north road bars. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group athttp://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- Patrick Moore Albuquerque, NM For professional resumes, contact Patrick Moore, ACRW patrickmo...@resumespecialties.com A billion stars go spinning through the night Blazing high above your head; But in you is the Presence that will be When all the stars are dead. (Rilke, Buddha in Glory) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW
Re: [RBW] Re: can anyone relate--getting older (50) and back into cycling: finding drops not so easy...
If drops aren't more comfortable than mountain bike bars, and they're at the same height as the saddle or above, you'll more comfortable as you limber up and lose the gut; well, that's my experience, not yours, so take it with some windage...but even when younger (now at 56), the paunch that appears when not riding will eventually shrink while riding, diet permitting. The North Road type, like the Albatross and Porteurs, the ends point back and are good for my wrists, but don't offer as many postions as a good drop bar. I think most riders on the new-fangled brake/shifters don't seem to use much more than a straight bar with the brifter, acting as bar ends. Ultimately, the wrists and the ulnar nerves tell me what a good bar is, especially when I can use a range of postitions: crouch to sprint, stand to power on, sit to spin or look around. On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 6:20 PM, Bertin753 bertin...@gmail.com wrote: Damned iPhone. As I was saying, I look at that tight bend with long ramps -- 135 mm drop, 115 mm reach -- and they look so comfortable. The 185s are very nice but, if you have them set up with the statutory level ends, the ramps are very short and steep. Sent from my iPhone On Jun 6, 2011, at 7:16 PM, Bertin753 bertin...@gmail.com wrote: Jim -- I look at nice, tight, shallow bend on the PRallels On Jun 6, 2011, at 7:10 PM, Jim Cloud cloud...@aol.com wrote: Patrick, I think the Grand Bois Maes Parallel type bars look quite nice. Peter Weigle used them on his Black Tie bike that was featured in BQ. Here's a link to Weigle's Photostream of that bike: http://www.flickr.com/photos/49353569@N00/sets/72157625305683679/with/ 5209479494/ Still it begs the question, why would you want to replace the Nitto Mod. 185 bars on your Riv customs? I think the Mod 185 is one of the nicest bars I've used. Just thinking... Jim Cloud Tucson, AZ On Jun 6, 6:01 pm, PATRICK MOORE bertin...@gmail.com wrote: Has anyone tried these or the functional equivalents? http://www.compasscycle.com/images/MaesPara800.jpg (From Compass Bicycles:http://www.compasscycle.com/Handlebars.html) Copies of these, apparently: http://www.bikequarterly.com/images/Hersefixed.jpg Me, Ahm 'a thinkin' that they may well do very nicely as replacements for the Nitto 185s on the 8 cm Nitto stems on my two low-bar Riv customs. On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 6:55 PM, Bill M. bmenn...@comcast.net wrote: 52 years young here, and for me drops are the only comfortable long- distance option. I do have and like the Noodles, but I find that the modern 'compact' or 'short-n-shallow' shaped bars have some advantages. The short drop makes the drop position easier to reach without the raising tops so high that standing to climb feels ungainly. The short reach seems to me more appropriate when using modern brake levers. Long reach bars were designed for non-aero brake levers. Modern brake levers (be they brifters or Tektro or SRAM aero levers) allow a hand position that's a couple of cm further forward than did non-aero or even early aero levers. The shorter reach of the compact bars compensates for that extra reach. I use a 3T Ergosum bar on my go-fast (with Campy brifters) and find its very comfortable whether on the hoods, the ramps, the hooks or the drops. Unfortunately it's only available in black and 31.8. Ritchie now makes a bar called the Classic Curve that looks similar, same drop, a bit less reach, still 31.8 but polished silver. It should look OK with a silver VO stem and a threadless adapter. I have another bike with a Salsa Woodchipper off-road drop bar. It's very short reach, very short drop, very wide and very flared in the drops. It looks a bit awkward and makes parking the bike harder, but once rolling I find it's pretty comfortable. the Noodles are on my Riv, but with a shorter stem than I used to ride. Even with the tops at saddle height the drops feel low and the hoods far away. I'm tempted to try the Classic Curve on that bike. I'm already using a threadless stem and adapter so the swap would be easy. And the threadless + adapter combo is actually lighter than the Technomic Deluxe it replaced. Bill I really recommend you try a compact or short-n-shallow bar before you write off drops. Grinding into a headwind on North Roads just isn't a lot of fun. On Jun 6, 8:55 am, canali jwcoll...@hotmail.com wrote: just wondering if it's just me and i need to take my time adding the mileage and being consistent and patient (and getting back into shape) OR do alot of us as we get older no longer find being so bent down as comfortable...thinking of swapping out drops on atlantis for jeff jones h loop bars or the north road bars. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email
