Handlebars

Nitto RB-002 FTW !

I bought some secondhand profile airwings... They snapped, I went down. ouch.

Anyway, before they snapped they were really comfy, so I was thinking of installing a second (brand new this time!) set.

I'm a heavier rider (6Ft3 and about 90 - 95KG) are the profile airwings too light and thin for me? tripple butted etc... would have gone for the nitto equivalent, but they were a fair bit more expensive.

am I just hesitant because of the crash?

Hello all!

I've been prepping my steed for the Vatternrundan (a 300k sportive in Sweden), been training hard and did The Great Escape Audax this weekend on what feels like my perfect set-up.

Riding with the Cinelli Mash bulls - they are super comfy, loads of positions and rode 145 miles yesterday with no wrist or hand issues what-so-ever.

I have since been told that those bars will not be permitted on the ride in Sweden... :-/

So here is the question - I'm gonna have to fit some drops and would like to replicate the shape and size and positions available on the Cinelli's. Any suggestions on what might work for me? Don't really like the idea of hoods as don't like a flappy redundant rear lever but if that's the only way... I suppose I'll have to lump it.

For reference, this is how she is looking at the mo:

https://flic.kr/p/nyPujx

Thanks in advance.

Drops with levers pushed back quite high to simulate the "horns"? Can't think of any other combo that will yield a bullhorn-esque setup.

3t Ergonovas will give you the flat tops and flat transition to the levers if you use SRAM s500 levers. You might want a longer stem because they'll be a reduced reach.

Enjoy the lake ride and pack a raincape :^)

3T ergonova will give you an approximation of the flat top, ramp and flat transition on to the hood. You can grab the top of the leavers to simulate the very ends of the bullhorns...possibly.

I'd go with some S500 leavers with one of those couplers that allows both leavers to pull the front brake.

Have a look at this for some interesting bar options.

[what miro_o said, obvs]

...great minds...

awaits tester to tell us we are both wrong

Quite possible.

OP also rep'd for doing a 'tired skid' yesterday whilst audaxing fixed

^
Ha... managed about an inch ;-) Did you have a good day of it?

Thanks for the suggestion chaps!

Ya silly tan lines say it all really :)

Stabby stabby

Also some twit will turn up with aerobars / full TT.

WTF is the rationale for not allowing bullhorns?

Because if you allow those then people will use narrow aero setups which compromises control/safety with 20,000 wobbly cyclists.

I genuinely believe that the dangers of not being able to freewheel around or over a pothole due to riding fixed is much greater than riding a bullhorn.

• I'm not saying it is dangerous but there are numerous possible, unlikely dangers
  
  

EDIT - i'll say no more, but I do understand why veldromes want to protect their surfaces, and why competitive races have strict rules... but beyond that I never cease to be amazed at the amount of people who seek to impose rules on a bunch of peole who just want to have a good time on their bikes. Obviously if you are taking the trouble to organise something and you want everyone to have white cables then that's your call, but it does surprise me.

The organisers are very safety conscious. Someone died the year I did it so you can't blame them.

Not sure why potholes are more of a hazard fixed either. I've been riding through some shocking ones, and generally coping to the state of the shite roads all around me, and I can dart around them and through them with great precision on my track bike, picking very narrow and specific lines. I genuinely don't feel that ability would be in anyway enhanced by having a freewheel.

Did they die cos of bullhorns or aero bars?

No because they weren't permitted. The poor rider was KO in the road when I passed. There were other bikes involved. It was probably a touch of wheels, it usually is.

I really don't see how you can't have a minimum bar width rule and a no aero bar rule if you are worried about narrow aero bars.

Because it's easier for people to understand and apply a simple rule. And this is a simple rule.

Maybe having fewer riders, making extra effort to discourage the people treating it like a competitve race, minimum compentency requirements for riders, or making it shorter would all have much greater safety benefits.

It's a massive event and very accessible. Everyone from pro teams to your mum rides this and they stagger groups depart time over 12 hours to make is as safe as possible. The size and mix is part of the event's character.

Or not allowing fixed and freewheel riders to mix. Or compelling everyone to have two brakes even if fixed.

Nobody wants this. It's not an issue.

Honestly, I'm not looking for an argument. They can do what they want, and other things being equal everyone on drops (are risers allowed?) probably makes it safer. Just seems a touch OTT for me.

Uh huh. Yes they are. Yes they can. That's Sweden for you.

Maybe its just cost I tend to see things quite black and white. If you wanna ride on the track or race competitively then I understand that there needs to be a load of rules. Otherwise just get on your bike, pedal and have fun. I don't really get the bit in the middle full stop.

When you organise events you realise unfortunately there are safety requirements that need to be signed up to. That's just the way it is.