SonicBikes

Hi everyone

I'm building up a brother Kepler to be a commuter/light load carrier with flat bars, mudguards, front rack (maybe some dynamo lights in the future). Looking for some advice on handlebars and stem length.

I want a decent amount of sweep and a fairly upright position, but ideally not much wider than 680mm. Any recommendations? Is there a good way to work out what stem length I might need to keep the handling sharp with wide bars or should I just scrounge a few lengths and try it...

Maybe someone has a similar build they can share some wisdom from!

On One OG bars are a nice shape and cheap as chips.

Edit: I definitely didn't pay the £35 that Planet X are selling them for at the minute. Still not too expensive though!

+1 for the on one OGs, think I paid 15£ for mine. Ritchey Kyotes could be an alternative, although probably not cheaper.

Thanks both! Not in a huge rush so will keep an eye out for price drops/secondhand on ones. Think the kyote is a bit wide for my hallway

Sorry offering non requested comment - but I would deffo push for dynamo lights to begin with if you can afford it now. Dynamo lights are simply the best for commuting. You might be thinking about adding them in the winter, but even in the summer they will add an extra safety/visibility benefit, might be more expensive and faff overall to upgrade in the future. My 2p.

Totally, got my eyes peeled for secondhand SON and lighting. But I'm actually not going to be in the country over this winter so it's less of a priority at the mo

Bontrager Satellite might be worth a look. Similar shape to the Kyote but not as wide and cheaper. I've got them on my Pompino and like them a lot.

sounds familiar...

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Gorgeous! Exactly what I have in mind. What's the bar/stem combo? I was concerned about having a massive spacer stack but that looks super clean!

cheers!
on-one OG bars and a Velo Orange -17 stem to avoid the spacer stack that seems to be necessary on most Kepler builds.
https://freshtripe.co.uk/velo-orange-tall-stack-threadless-stem/

I've also considered dynamo lighting but haven't got around to it yet.

This is giving me unhealthy ideas.

Kyotes are awesome full stop. They are designed in a way so that the back sweep doesn't decrease the reach and it gives you another hand position when trying to be faster on the road. They are really wide though that's true. I think @Veloshrimp cut his down to ride them on his quirk in the city.

Thanks everyone, many options to consider that my googling hasn't turned up.

If anyone's interested I found this https://whatbars.com/ which is pretty cool for comparing shapes.

I'm also after one of the tidy VO stems but sold out everywhere!

I've found this as an uglier alternative https://www.velozone.co.uk/products/genetic-aq-road-stem-black

ah sorry! i didn't intend to send a link to a sold out product! i didn't check the availability.
apologies if i got your hopes up.

disclaimer - i have since changed back to drop bars 🙃
(and i'm keeping the bars and shifters etc. for future projects)

Go on, show us it with drops!

if you insist!

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Minor progress has been made. Still searching for bars, had a look in SeaBass Cycles, but a lot of the options in there reduced the reach too much.

Pleased with the VO stem though!

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Going to be built up with Apex1/Rival drivetrain, Shimano MT200/UR300 brakes, alexrims boondocks, Easton seatpost, spesh pizza rack and some 35c panaracer slicks. Taken a punt on the bontrager satellite bars as they are at least cheap if the shape doesn't work for me. Should be a solid, if not flashy, build.

Mudguards are another thing to consider. PDW so pretty but $$$

I found on one Mary's really good for not reducing reach that much(still some) .. They are still my fave touring / comfort bar.

Getting there, maybe a full build pic soon

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so you went spendy on the guards then? 😁
looking good!

Ha I did indeed! Got soaked yesterday morning and went straight to Condor to buy them.

Fitted last night (rear needs some spacers at chainstays to match the front clearance) and I have no regrets. They look amazing and they feel absolutely bombproof!