Handlebars for Touring

[Norsman]

I want to get into some long distance touring so I am looking for a good touring bike. However until now I have done all my touring on a MTB partly because I prefered the more upright position of the handlebars. Are there any good set-ups on touring bikes that include more upright handlebars and/or aero bars.

 

[daveornee]

Originally posted by Norsman
I want to get into some long distance touring so I am looking for a good touring bike. However until now I have done all my touring on a MTB partly because I prefered the more upright position of the handlebars. Are there any good set-ups on touring bikes that include more upright handlebars and/or aero bars.

You can achieve higher bar tops on any touring bicycle with the appropriate choice of stem, steering tube, spacers, etc. I like a nice wide road bar like Ritchey Logic Pro. There are many shapes out there. Read Rivendell's Dropbars 101:
http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/html/101_dropbars.html
and then check out their unique collection of bars and stems:
http://rivendellbicycles.com/webalog/handlebars_stems_tape/
Handlebar contours are about as personal as saddle contours.
Once you find the shape and width that works best for you, go with it. Hand positions on a dropbar make long distance touring more comfortable and you might also discover how it helps your biodynamics, legs, back, neck, and butt.

 

[sdorrity]

I've spent a lot of time sorting my bars out because of various problems. As it was explained to me the best option is for drop bars where you have set the height and reach to be 'correct' for cruising on the brake hoods.

This gives you one lower option, the drops, for headwinds and two higher options, the corners of the bars and the tops for easing the back and looking at the view etc.

Unless you fit bar ends, straight bars give fewer ride positions IMHO.

Regards

Steve D

Originally posted by Norsman
I want to get into some long distance touring so I am looking for a good touring bike. However until now I have done all my touring on a MTB partly because I prefered the more upright position of the handlebars. Are there any good set-ups on touring bikes that include more upright handlebars and/or aero bars.

 

[Pedaling Pete]

I have just made the conversion from straight bar/barends/thumbshifters, to dropped bars(3T Morphe, recommended!) and barcon-shifters and really like this new set-up. The Barcon-shifters have a friction mode that is useful when I swap with my older wheels and might save the day if I experience a blow to the rear derailleur. I use a Aheadset stem with a generous rise so that I don't have to look at the wheels but can enjoy the surrounding landscape.

The problem with straight bars/barends I used before is that there is no one available with a ergonomic 7-9 degree back sweep anymore. They are all 3-5 degrees.

I would also suggest the Nitto Moustache handlebar.
Here is a very nice bike equipped with these bars:
http://todd.cleverchimp.com/bike/paccoast/pages/loaded.html
http://todd.cleverchimp.com/bike/notes.html
http://todd.cleverchimp.com/bike/
More info:
http://www.mindspring.com/~d.g1/motobecane2.htm
http://www.sjscycles.com/store/vIndex.htm?cat591.htm
http://www.stanford.edu/~dru/moustache.html
http://www.handlebarclub.org.uk/
;^3)

 

[Norsman]

Thanks for all the info. I went shopping for a bike this weekend and am leaning towards a Trek 520. I'll be able to test a few different set-ups. The info you have all provided should be helpful.

 

[stevek]

I don't use the drops so I came up with this setup. http://www.knight-toolworks.com/web_temp_pics/bike5.jpg this gives me really good shifting with little effort and no hands off the bars. and breaking is far stronger then STI type setups. I had to turn the brake levers around to hide the cables but it worked out nice.