(Part 3) Best bike ahndlebars & stems according to redditors

In these

I like Arundel Rubber Gecko

Love'em. They take on a nice patina and hold even more grip in the cold and wet.

I suggest first wrapping the bars with some cheap cork wrap (I use this stuff for $9) and then sewing the leather grips on over it. The leather is cushy, but thin, so if you wrap it over the bare handlebar you won't get much vibration dampening or cushion. The extra-layer of cork wrap really makes it a lot more comfortable to ride with. Wear some work gloves when you do the sewing though since you'll have to pull the thread tightly to get the leather to stretch.

Here's a set I did a month or two ago (left is after an application of sno-seal).

Depending on your bike type either Fizik handlebar gel pads or Ergon grips.

http://www.amazon.com/Fizik-4-Piece-Medical-TechnoGel-Handlebar/dp/B00AONX68G/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1464876805&sr=8-4&keywords=handlebar+tape+gel

http://www.amazon.com/Ergon-42410031-GP3-Grips-Small/dp/B00P49W82K/ref=sr_1_2?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1464876848&sr=1-2&keywords=ergon+grips

Thanks! This stem adapter and this cable hanger.

I use Fizik Performance 3mm. Extremely classy leather-looking finish, very nice to the touch. I use the regular finish, but you have the option for soft touch or tacky finish, ~$20 compared to ~$30 for Lizard Skins

• Put the stem as high as you think you'd ever want it (as shown in your photo), then using a sharp implement, score the steerer all the way around using the stem as a guide. Remove fork from bike.
  
• Cut the steerer so that it will be 3mm shorter than the top of the stem (depends how close your mark was to the stem here). This will give the space needed to pre-load the bearings. (You can also cut it flush and use a 5mm spacer on top of the stem).
  
• De-bur and install star nut.
  
  
• Ride bike, adjust stem position, ride, repeat, etc. Find where you want that stem positioned.
  
  
• Cut again. Make sure to tap the star nut down a bit and/or measure so you don't cut into it.
  
  
• Install YAWYD top-cap with bottle cap of choice.

This is similar. This too.

This is the one I got: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071LLR8PR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The handlebars are Surly Sunrise

The stem is this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071YV77R7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Do you have a pic of your stroller? Hard to understand why the bike handlebar extensions didn’t work.

Edit: thinking you may have one of those continuous hand bar jobbies on the stroller.

Try something like this that will open all the way up. You could also then add the ones you currently have.

do you mean aerobars like these?

I personally do not like flat handlebars. It also sounds like you are too stretched out on the bike. Have you thought a out changing the handlebars to something that sweeps back? And adding ergo grips?

Some of the wrist pain is likely related to putting too much pressure on the bars. The ergo grips will make a big difference. Swept back bars put your wrist in a neutral position, which will likely be more comfortable.

Here is a cheap handlebar option: https://www.amazon.com/d/Bicycle-Handlebars/Wald-Touring-Bicycle-High-Rise-Handlebar/B00IDCHULE

And here are some really comfortable grips: https://www.amazon.com/Ergon-GR9546-P-GP1-Grips/dp/B00PUG828Q

You can get the bars replaced pretty cheaply at a shop and grips are a breeze to do yourself. Or you can do both if you do not mind fiddling.

Good luck.

I use this. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M6E4YBU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_6rjtzb8PAXT4X you can see pictures a couple of posts down. I put it against my handle bars and and it seems to work well. It holds a Finn phone holder and a torch holder. I have a battery holder on the main bar that is only used when I need it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AFLMJYY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_6QoQBbB6P7K14

Something like this will give you all of the adjustability that you need at a decent price

Tools. Most people don't have proper bike tools, so that would be a great surprise. You can either get a decent multi-tool (get one with a chain-breaker and tire wrenches) or a variety of Park Tools. Here are some Park Tools that I find invaluable: 3-way hex, chain cleaning tools, pedal wrench, and/or a chain whip

This bar tape is amazing 3mm Fizik performance. Tape should be replaced semi-regularly, but most people don't, so it would be a great surprise gift. Black looks good on almost every bike.

With old style bars like those the typical setup is with the flat section of the drops pointing approximately at the rear brake boss, it looks like you are pretty close to that, and the brake lever position is pretty standard for that type of bar. It is common to find the older style of bar more uncomfortable compared to the modern style where it's easier to ride on the hoods.

Modern compact style bars almost are almost all 31.8mm diameter at the clamp, where as your bike will be 26mm or 25.4mm.

If your bike has 25.4mm diameter bars, your best bet is probably these bars. They aren't exactly modern compact bend but they should give similar comfort benefits and ability to ride easily on the hoods.

If they are 26mm, these bars are probably your best bet.

You could convert the bike to 31.8mm to have more choice of bars but you would need at the least a new stem as well.

You shouldn't need to replace your brake levers - apart from the central section where the stem clamps, road bars are almost all a standard diameter of 23.4mm.

You bought my favorite frame. That's the one I would get if I could. 👏


Just my opinion, don't fret, but the solid-black-everything-else motif isn't working for me.


This is what I would do:

• White bar tape (already researched this, this kind works well for riding and is super easy to clean - http://amzn.to/2tgj3Ng - not the Tacky White, not the Soft Touch White, the good one is the plain White I linked to)
  
• White saddle
  
• White housing
  
• Gum walls
  

Good of you to put a potential touring setup through it's paces. I'd be very wary of substantial hand numbness with any bar after an hour in the saddle. It will get unbearable on tour.

I never took to butterfly bars and ended up going flat bar with Ergon grips. No problems since. I no longer use bar ends, either. Just one position for hours (which I actually really like). Made the same alteration to my gal's butterfly equipped touring rig and she's now an Ergon convert as well.

They do sell Ergon's with bar ends to offer multiple hand positions, too.

https://www.amazon.com/Ergon-GR9576-P-GP5-Grips/dp/B00P49W0HS?th=1&psc=1

It’s the stock bar tape for the Marrakesh - Arundel Gecko

Here are some links for the product in the above comment for different countries:

Amazon Smile Link: 1


|Country|Link|Charity Links|
|:-----------|:------------|:------------|
|USA|smile.amazon.com|EFF|
|UK|www.amazon.co.uk|Macmillan|
|Canada|www.amazon.ca||




To help donate money to charity, please have a look at this thread.

This bot is currently in testing so let me know what you think by voting (or commenting). The thread for feature requests can be found here.

https://www.amazon.com/Race-Face-Nelson-Locking-Black/dp/B009F9XCGQ/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_468_bs_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=7D41TB9WCA58N467503X&th=1

or

https://www.amazon.com/Topeak-60100005-D2-SmartGauge/dp/B0051LQ0X4/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1498926861&sr=1-1&keywords=topeak+pressure+gauge

I thought they were $100 for sure, but it seems your right. There are some though

http://www.amazon.com/Cinelli-Bullhorn-Pursuit-Bicycle-Handlebar/dp/B0084XI55W

http://www.wiggle.com/cinelli-mash-bullhorn-road-handlebar/

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR3.TRC2.A0.H0.Xmash+bullhorn.TRS0&_nkw=mash+bullhorns&_sacat=0

Hi, I'm looking at getting some flat bars as a replacement for my pure fix risers(https://www.purefixcycles.com/products/pure-fix-riser-bars?variant=352155019). I've been looking at the origin 8 stash bars because they look nice, and are relatively cheap(http://www.amazon.com/Origin8-Stash-Bar-25-4-450mm/dp/B00SZ062KE).

I just need to know if the the stash bars will fit a 22.2mm brake lever, and if not, can you recommend any that will fit this.

[](Yahill Vex Gel SuperSuede Bike Bicycle Handle Bar Tape Wraps with Bar Plugs (Mixed-Color) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016WCOVQI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_lamjybHRXME55)

Grips - these are the ones I used. There are two rolls - more than enough to cover each handle. I used the left over to regrip the foot rests (not sure their official name).

Seat - this is the one I got. Depends on your preference - this one is firmer and more narrow than the stock seat. It is also shaped specifically for guys. It came with all the hardware I needed to switch it out.

do you think you could fix that with new handlebars, or new grips

regardless, the easy thing to do is get a magic pie v5. The next hardest thing is bbs02. Then get a decent battery. They are both within your budget. distance should be about 30-40 miles depending on how you ride.

I like it a lot, but it is not terribly durable so I need to replace it more regularly.

Arundel bar tape is what I’m using now, and I think I like it more than the lizard skins. It has a very rough texture (soft, but rough, in a good way), and that makes the grip really good when I’m sweaty or it rains. Not expensive either.

Can’t vouch for its durability though, I’ve only had it on there since early May. Still in fine shape though.

i bought these cause a friend of mine uses them. but i'll definitely look into these!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J4KZV7Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Any mtb grips will feel great, I personally really like the race face grips


https://www.amazon.com/RaceFace-Half-Nelson-Locking-Black/dp/B009F9XCGQ/ref=sxin_9_ac_m_rm?ac_md=0-0-cmFjZWZhY2UgZ3JpcHM%3D-ac_d_rm&keywords=raceface%2Bgrips&pd_rd_i=B009F9XCGQ&pd_rd_r=96fd540d-e146-4996-829f-3b7e12a9fdbe&pd_rd_w=Tzxny&pd_rd_wg=6o6XQ&pf_rd_p=d1a6ea92-24ed-409e-8e33-97dc5a8de815&pf_rd_r=DP4PKTT5YSW2E3DQCNWV&qid=1566621651&s=gateway&th=1&psc=1

was considering getting the Niner beer topcap

Expensive, but sexy.

Nitto makes one too.

Cheap and ugly, but functional.

I use them and I love them. They're about the same size as my drop bars, dunno the exact measurements unfortunately.

https://www.amazon.com/Cinelli-Bullhorn-Pursuit-Bicycle-Handlebar/dp/B0084XI55W

https://www.ebay.com/bhp/cinelli-mash-bullhorn

I've found Deda Elemental tape matches my brown Spoon pretty nicely, as does Arundel Gecko

Standing fan with remote (similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001V8Y64Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_CGRSBbKHFFK0M)

6 pack of sweat bands to rotate (rinse after every ride) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06X93QKQD?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Face towel for top tube & face

Finish line polish for frame (not sure if it actually works) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TQKBMWK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_PERSBbF8K11BX

Fizik 3mm bar tape (sweat doesn't seem to penetrate this tape): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AONXPTG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_PKRSBb7S8B939

I don't know how anyone can survive a trainer ride without a sweat band (at a minimum).

I need to buy some new handlebar grips. I'm looking at the Ergon GP3. My question is there is a cork version and I'm trying to figure out what the value of the cork is.

So... what's the value of the cork?

First and foremost, the most important thing for comfort is a bike that fits you properly and is adjusted to you. If it's not a shop that does fittings, then you might want to consider a different shop. I love my first LBS, the people there are awesome, but I would've been saved a world of issues if I had been properly fit on my hybrid the day I bought it.

Padded shorts help but they're not really a requirement until you're spending a lot of time in the saddle.

Now, I'm not saying go out and buy all this stuff. You might need none of it to start with, but all the stuff I've bought....

The cheapest pair of shorts found with good padding start at $50, and they're Bontrager (Trek's house brand) ones I bought from one of my local bike shops.

I've had my eye on these for some time as a second pair, to see if the chamois is as good or better. Still $50.

Super soft squishy gel saddles are crap. Do not buy them.

Stock saddles almost always suck, ask your LBS for recommendations. If they're a Trek dealer, and it's a Bontrager brand saddle, you can always return it within 30 days and try another.

No matter what grips come on your bike, these are probably world's better. These were literally the first thing I ordered for my wife's Trek 6.2 when she complained her hands were hurting.

These are twice as expensive but the bar ends are really nice for longer rides, to give you more hand positions to work with. It's the same base grip, just with added bar ends. I've had them on my hybrid for some time now.

I still rock this saddle on my hybrid. It's comfortable now for short-ish rides w/o shorts, and I can do about 30 miles on it without trouble.

This is the saddle on my cross bike that I put a hundred miles a week on. It's a bit squishy, but firm.

I wear these gloves when I ride as well, but that's more because I have issues with carpal tunnel and this keeps the pressure off.

As far as tops go, I just started wearing jerseys (I'm still 25ish lbs overweight), this is the one I went with. I'm not saying go for one right away, they're fairly tight and I'm still kind of uncomfortable in it along w/ bike shorts, but I've always been one of those "uncomfortable in his body" fat guys, who wore over-sized clothes in a poor attempt to hide it.

I rode in stuff from Old Navy until recently. Over my bike shorts, I wore some knee-length running shorts, and for a top I just used one of their $10 Go-Dri t-shirts, to wick sweat.

Cotton sucks. You'll be way more comfortable in a shirt that's designed to keep you cool and dry.

Oh, and one last thing, if you get bike shorts, you don't wear underwear. They are your underwear.


I've spent a lot of money on cycling over the months, but it's my primary hobby now, so I don't mind.

maybe skip the adapter and go straight for a a 31.8 quill stem https://www.amazon.com/Origin8-Pro-Fit-ATB-Stem/dp/B00SZ077E4

I'd like to put a shallow drop bar on my 2014 Bianchi Pista and more comfortable brake hoods. Will this combo https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003U9ROKC/ref=pd_sim_468_8?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=F1X4QSZ08MYR2RW219MJ of brake levers work with https://www.amazon.com/Origin8-Pro-Fit-Compact-Handlebars/dp/B00SYZTLVW handlebars? If so, can I use existing brake cables or will I need to replace the cables as well?

Since you where looking at Amazon, these two look like what you're looking for

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