Jimmy wrote:
> On Sun, 20 Apr 2003 02:01:26 GMT, SuperSlinky <
[email protected]> reckoned:
>
>
>
>>No, it just depends on what kind of riding you do and personal preference. Both schools of thought
>>have their good points and bad points. Maybe your bike dealer didn't choose his words very
>>carefully. Out of fashion doesn't have to mean the poseur kind of fashion. It can just mean that
>>the general opinion on handlebar design has changed.
>
>
> OK, I can accept that, but he did say it's out of fashion and people laugh at cyclists with bar
> ends and straight bars. What's the advantage of riser bars, besides putting you in a more upright
> position which some people may find more comfortable? I use my bike on various road conditions and
> look for the best compromise for all conditions so don't find riser bars advantageous in any way.
> It's like in the sixties when banana seats and really high riser bars were the rage. looked cool
> but highly inefficient. Someone said in another post that a riser bar and short stem takes your
> weight off your hands. Well, that just distributes the weight to the seat which makes your ass
> *really* sore. Think of the seat as a perch and not a seat because that is how it is meant to be.
> Putting weight more forward is preferable to a sore ass and more efficient. Adding bar ends helps
> greatly in a hill climb and allows one to change hand positions which helps to alleviate
> discomfort.
Ever consider that maybe your hands wouldn't be so uncomfortable if they had a bit less
weight on 'em?
And having more weight on the front doesn't make you more efficient - if you use the seat as a perch
anyway, or better said, a reference point, you can put more weight behind your pedal strokes. Plus
you're not as streched out, which is more comfortable for your back, which means a more stable core.
Plus, the front end is a lot easier to pop over things (even just small things) to help maintain
momentum, suspension or no.
Same way with road bikes - yes, you're in a more aerodynamic position, but if your bike fits you
really well you can take your hands off the bar and maintain your aero position with little or no
added effort. IE, not that much weight on the hands.
> As for the junior set laughing at me,
> and all they know is riser bars and forks with shocks.
I started rigid/flat, then suspension/flat+barends, then suspension/riser. Don't even try to knock
front suspension - well, ok, try, I'll just laugh really hard
Risers aren't for everybody, but
I'm more comfortable and do just fine riding my bike around on the road with them.
> Just because it's new doesn't necessarily make it better.
Totally agree with that. 1.5 standard, integrated headsets, etc. However, just because its not
necessarily better doesn't mean its NOT better.
Jon Bond