Sell my Crabon, build a steel road bike.

Soma hyway 1 if you want short reach, defo not 186

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Have new spare Soma Highway in 42cm if you want. Bought 2 sets from SJS a few years ago.

The ramps of both are pretty much horizontal, so you'll have a near seamless transition between the bar and the lever.

The obvious difference is between the hooks: if you spend a lot of time riding in that position, then ergo bend bars will likely be more comfortable, as the wrist is straighter. But you may find that the drops are too short for a secure grip, so you lose that position.

parts of the bar

classic (Merckx) bend

ergo bend

compact bend

always classic

Always compact.

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/214488/

I have the M106's on my roadie and am a compact convert. Very rough rule of thumb is compacts are good for small hands and Shimano hoods but would recommend going to your lbs and trying some out. Then buying on the internet. Only joking, kind of.

One really good reason to get compact bars is that you could get a longer stem, which is always good. More length might dial down some of the murex wackiness too.

Bike looks great, thoroughly enjoyable thread to go with it.

Not tried the ergos but my M106 are really comfy (and look much better than ergo!), in the drops, on the tops, and especially on the hoods with the flat transition. The tube profile is a little squared off at the top bend, which I don't think is true of all compact bars, but makes for very good comfort.

Yep, slightly longer stem arrives tomorrow.

Not going to fit it initially but nice to have options.

Hopefully will get a decent ride in over Christmas and can then speak with more knowledge on reach, comfort etc.

Hopefully going to attack rim stickers tomorrow, with a hairdryer, a scraper and some acetone.

Some internet advice says that I should remove tyres AND rim tape first. Are these necessary?

I never have and I'm still alive. You don't need to get it hot hot hot. Just warm enough that pealing is easier.

If you want to spend a little less money on a bar that might turn out not to be the right shape, the Nitto M151f or M109AA (the latter is available at @thecycleclinic ) have the same shape as the M106 at almost half the price. I have the M109 and find it very comfortable

I also have M109 in black. Really like the shape. The size is measured c-c so remember that the bars will turn out to be about 2cm wider!

Unless you measure your own bars c-c like everyone ever does.

For removing sticker residue I always use Goo Gone. Yes it's a real thing.

I went out for a slightly longer spin this evening and did some fine tuning of saddle position, bar position, indexing, brake pull etc. A massive improvement and now a really lovely bike to ride. Definitely chuffed!

Two issues, one resolved:

I shipped the chain outboard when throwing into the big ring. A quick fix with the limit screw.

When I got home the headset had come loose. I think it is just pretty tricky to get the sweet spot with threaded steerer headset lockrings. Even moreso without the right spanners. Instead of faffing about with the adjustables again, I'll try to pop into BC tomorrow and get them to do it properly for me.

The bars felt fine, after rotating them slightly up from where they were. Interestingly, I was motivated to do that by the drops feeling odd, sort of "too flat". I rotated the bars (shifters slightly upwards) in the stem to get a nicer angle on the drops. Bingo, the hoods immediately felt miles better too.

Interestingly, I was motivated to do that by the drops feeling odd, sort of "too flat".

If the drops are horizontal your wrists won't be straight, so it won't be comfortable.

I slacken the bar clamp a little (so they can move, but aren't loose) and push on the drops until my wrists are straight.

Best done on the turbo of with the assistance of an obliging friend, rather than on the road...

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Kind offer dude, yes please.

No need to rush, I know what this time of year is like. I'll get it adjusted at BC and then grab yours one day for future work.

Thanks!

#merrygangnam

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Headset adjusted, thanks @hillbilly.

Got home to find all the necessary stuff for sticker removal had arrived. A very pleasing thing to spend half an hour doing.

Photos will be forthcoming in better light.

One niggle left. The helicopter stickers keep peeling off from the head tube, the lugs make it all a bit awkward.

This evening I will remove them, clean the paint with acetone (ha), make a filleted mask and cut out perfect sized stickers. If that doesn't work then it'll be foam rubber cable clip ons.