Bar Ends - Yay or Nay

[johnnyt]

It seems like these once required accessories are taking the deep six. Is this a result of riser bars? Some XC racers have them, but that too seems to be waning.

I just removed mine after realizing I have not used them in over 1/2 dozen rides. I wonder if they will be missed...I sure won't miss the extra weight on the front end (had big old curved ends).

[joe]

I have them on my bike, but I don't find myself using them much. I've thought about taking them off but I don't feel like trying to move my grips out to the ends of my bar after I take the bar ends off. I'll probably dump my bar ends the next time I get new grips.

joe

I've been without bar ends since 1998....still use flat bars on my XC rig (although I have a new risers still in the box...just can't pull the trigger)...

[SloMoJo]

I still like the variety of position, and use them during long gradual climbs for that lil extra upper body pulling power.
In fact, I just replaced my ole banged up pair.

Certainly, a personal preference thing.

[splat]

I still Use mine, Mostly when climbing. I also find they help protect my hands from tree limbs and other things on the trail, on the bad side , they have been know to hook more that one thing while riding by.

[Crash and Burn]

I just switched from flat w/ barends to a 1.5 riser on my xc full suspension. I suggest everyone does the same. Your ends won't get hooked anymore, but the wider bars take some getting used to. I've noticed having your arms out wider gives you better balance, and the rise makes it tons easier to get the front wheel up whether your clearing an obstacle or hucking a drop.

[Flo]

Some rides I use them more than others. During long and steady climbs I will use them to stretch out and I have noticed it helps my breathing by opening my upper body. Mainly it gives me the option to move my hands around. Plus, they have certainly saved my hands from getting drilled by branches.

[Big Game]

If you ride agressively around here, I strongly advise you to remove those tree hooks.

Perhaps, just perhaps, if the only trails you rode were out west (with seriously long climbs) or a rail trail, then maybe bar ends would make some sort of sense. However, if you're riding all-out through twisty east-coast singletrack, the drawbacks far out weigh the advantages.

Because most of the climbs around here are fairly short, the utility a second (or third) hand position provides is diminished. Because we have so many trees (something lacking out west, I'm told) close to trails, those things become so fantastically dangerous at speed, that if he found out, Ralph Nader would drop a load in his shorts.

I've found that wide risers allow me to open my lungs up better that when I had narrower flat bars with bar ends. I suppose that, one would argue, then why not try wide risers with bar ends? Well the problem with that is that you're are further exposing yourself to the "tree hook" risk by placing the bar ends closer to the trees.

I will concede that bar ends do help protect hands from branches. But after getting burned so many times by getting too close to saplings, I'd rather put up with a hand abrasion than a whole body abrasion.

As far a climbing efficiency goes, I found that bar ends assist more with comfort, not so much actual climbing ability. If you are having trouble getting up a slope, try something you're told never to do. Stand!

Finally, as my last (and perhaps most solid) argument, plain risers just look a whole lot cooler. And remember, that's why we ride: To impress other people we don't know.

As an aside, does anyone remember those Scott (?) handle bars that had bar ends that connected? They kind of looked like an oval. What ever happend to those? They seem like a better idea then bar ends (if you like that sort of thing) as they give you far more positions and your hands are even better protected from brush and junk. But they were kind of dorky looking. Why I would even go as far to say they made even bar ends looks cool.

Big Game,

The last time I saw a pair of those Scott handlebars was on a buddies bike back in college (sometime ago). He had the bike painted Rasta colors.

Back then we were riding fully RIGID beasts with:

1. Suntour Drivetrains
2. Araya Rims
3. Threaded Headsets
4. Toe Clips
5. Cantilever Brakes
6. Thumbshifters (was a big fan)
7. Some neon parts
8. and Yes, some had the kooky Scott bars that doubled as 'drop bars' on the road.

Let me know if I forgot any old school parts.....

Anyway, we still rode for the same reasons and had a blast.

It's all good....

[johnnyt]

So NOO,
I guess what your saying is that my Superlight with a suntour drivetrain and thumbshifters is kind of an anomoly?

I just can't let go of those good ole' days.

How about an answer atac stem, gravity research rim crusher brakes, Rock shox Mag 20 (a whole 63 mm of travel!) and titanium bolts to fit every hole! I also had a pair of grafton joysticks!

[turch]

Brahma bars

JT,

Anomoly? I would have to see it to believe it...if indeed it was true, it would be inspiring to see someone spec a 3.5lb FS frame (that includes a Fox RL...?) with a nice set of thumb shifters and Suntour cranks and rings...you be da' man..

Although, In did hear Santa Cruz was offering 'alternatives' to the standard Shimano line for spec options...but come on...

Good call on the Answer ATAC stem....reminds me of the bike I bought after the rigid beast...was a Cannondale with a TREK fork (yes back then Specialized and Trek had forks..but I think someone else built them), a bunch of funny colored Ringle' components, some deore, first round of Coda, and the 'powergrips' instead of toe clips.

BTW - I assume you like the Superlight???? Thinking of getting a new frame in the next year. Superlight top on the list but may hold off for the Blur....

[johnnyt]

Ok, well actually now my suntour drivetrain is down to a front derailer thumbshifter (gripshift for the rear) and an XC-Pro rear derailer. I broke everything else. I just changed the other thumbshifter out since it was worn out and tended to shift on it's own accord. The suntour front derailer would not fit the superlight so I had to go with shitmano. >:( Sram doesn't even make one that fits! >:( >:(

superlights rock! haven't ridden the blur. I think if I had to buy again though I would go for the heckler. just a little more beef and travel, but it all depends on how you ride. I once met a guy who didn't like his SL, but he couldn't really tell me what he didn't like except that it rode differently then his hardtail. Four inches of rear travel will ride a bit different then a ht.

[pk]

You want cool bar ends.... and add a whole new meaning to the term?

Just jam a couple of Foster oil cans on either side of your handlebar!

;D

Otherwise, just leave them in the fridge... maybe they'll come back into style.

pk

When i shortened the stem on my new Klein so i could more easily lift the front for log and rock jumping i realized that i needed bar ends so i could keep the tire on the trail on the climbs. Its a wonderful thing how these bikes are made so everyone can fine tune the advantages and disadvantages of each component to best suit infinite personal tolerances.

If it feels right to you, and your comfortable riding it, then your sure to ride more, and better.

Don't fall into the trap of judging what is right or wrong with your bike, or yourself, by comparison to others. That can only lead to conceit or regret as people will always be better or worse then you.

[splat]

an aside, does anyone remember those Scott (?) handle bars that had bar ends that connected? They kind of looked like an oval. What ever happend to those? They seem like a better idea then bar ends (if you like that sort of thing) as they give you far more positions and your hands are even better protected from brush and junk. But they were kind of dorky looking. Why I would even go as far to say they made even bar ends looks cool.


I had a Set of those on my Ridgid Fat chance ! I loved them , they were great ! they were better then bar ends. The problem with ( why you don't see them any more ) you can't get , grip shift and the newer shiter/brake combo's around the bend of the bar.

[I Are Baboon]

No bar ends on this red ass's bike.

[knucklebuste]

[glow=red,2,300]TEXT[Bar ends just do not look cool. PEACE]

[Big Game]

No bar ends on this red ass's bike.


Speaking of which, why is your ass red? (not that I was looking, but you did bring it up)

Does it have something to do with your seat? Are you aware that they are many ergonomic saddles available now? You don't have to live with embarrassment and discomfort anymore. Help is available, but you must be willing to help yourself.

[sizlinseagulsoup]

Bar ends are not that bad. Right now I am using a pair of superlight (beign the weight-loser that I am) plastic ends from SingleTrack Designs They are solid quality and have not broken in over a year of use. The nice thing about them is that you can spin them backwards (they actually recommended this to me) so that that there is only a stub to get caught on. However my fist sticks out more so it does not even get caught.

Please excuse any extreme errors in my writing, I don't have a working monitor right now (which explains my inactivity over the past week) and it makes proofreading a little difficult.

[MtnBikerChk]

I'm trying out the Cane Creek ergos this week.

So far, the only drawback is they are frickin heavy.

And they'd probably be better on flat bars over risers.

[I Are Baboon]

Speaking of which, why is your ass red? (not that I was looking, but you did bring it up)

Does it have something to do with your seat? Are you aware that they are many ergonomic saddles available now? You don't have to live with embarrassment and discomfort anymore. Help is available, but you must be willing to help yourself.


Chicks dig the red ass.

Saddles? I have not been riding with one. Maybe that explains why my ass is red.

[hogboy]

I use stubby bar ends on my XC rig. but I am so used to my SS with no bar ends (and you know you gotta torque hard to climb) that I now use them simply to rest my hands against and/or like barkbusters.

I use them rarely...they are only 2 inches long so they ain't obtrusive.

[gungywump]

I Are Baboon. Pig Fame brings up a valid concern. Have you considered a topical ointment or possibly just wiping once in a while.

Bar Ends are Gay!!

[johnnyt]

Not that there is anything wrong with that...

BTW - Two inches is hardly enough to be gay.

[gungywump]

Big Game,

The last time I saw a pair of those Scott handlebars was on a buddies bike back in college (sometime ago). He had the bike painted Rasta colors.

Back then we were riding fully RIGID beasts with:

1. Suntour Drivetrains
2. Araya Rims
3. Threaded Headsets
4. Toe Clips
5. Cantilever Brakes
6. Thumbshifters (was a big fan)
7. Some neon parts
8. and Yes, some had the kooky Scott bars that doubled as 'drop bars' on the road.

Let me know if I forgot any old school parts.....

Anyway, we still rode for the same reasons and had a blast.

It's all good....

NOO those were the days My first mountain bike was a Fisher Montare back in 1987. It had:
Original Deore XT derailers and Cranks
A Doug Bradbury roller cam rear brake mounted under the chainstays.
Friction shifters
A Hieght Right spring on the seatpost
Big motorcycle sized Dia Compe Levers
Bullmoose Handlebars
Fisher Fattrax Tire 2.125(Still the best tire I have ever had Tioga DH tires are similar)
Grab On foam grips
Advocet Leather Saddle.
Araya RM20 Rims

In fact I still have my Fisher Procaliber from 1989 in my basement.
All Original!
When Fisher's were made by Gary Fisher and not called Gary Fisher's!!
Remember Scott Shock's and Rock Shock Mag 20's I've got them both! I've got a big box filled with old school ****.

What's my point with all this(besides nostalgia)?
I still ain't got no F***ing BAR ENDS!!

[SloMoJo]

Ha, listen to you guys dis barends.
How dumb!

Seems to me riggin a MT bike is a personal thing to explore.
There will always be variety of tastes.
Very few absolute "rights and wrongs".

So you have strong opinion, great....You also have an *******. They both have something in common.
Can you guess? ::)

Just razzin yuz guyz...no biggie.

[GadgetGeek]

My bar ends make a broader impact on my body when I crash than the plain h-bar. This helps me heal faster! :)

[steve_b]

I got talked into putting bar ends on my bike. (LBS) The other day while riding I realized I haven't used them all season. The only thing they seem to be good for is hooking on trees while riding tight singletrack. >:(

[turch]

Used to run em. All sorts. Settled on a cheap pair of joe murrays. Fit great. Did the job. Once upon a new bike, I didn't bother. Didn't miss them. On a lark I tried a pair of new aged plastic jobbies. Neit. Just wasted a pair of grips. Tossed. Never looked back. Figure you either have a bike that doesn't fit or you need different hand positions them keep them from going numb. Otherwise not much sense, but whatever floats you boat.