Looking for handlebar advice

hi, currently riding with some nitto B123 thingys and they just arent very practical. looking for something a bit comfier for a longer ride and with some more flat on top for my hands. considering the noodle bars or randonneurs. even bullhorns...
anyone got any advice on any of the mentioned bars or any alternatives.

cheers...

I adore the randonneurs!
I tried them and instantly bought another pair for my geared bike.

Handlebars are very much down to the rider though, but I like how the shape seems to mold itself to my grip.

thanks for your input, mate...

Saw the thread title and was going to say similar to lucifer. Contact points (bars, tape, pedals, brake levers, saddles) are all very much a personal thing. Sadly cookie cutter approach of which is best/most comfortable does not work. Also it depends on what the bike is being used for, so chose your contact points accordingly. For example a thin saddle is probably not going to be comfortable on an upright position bike etc etc.

How big are your hands? Do you want a drop? Have you road a compact?

Etc, etc...

is that a road compact, or rode/ridden a compact?

I have the Noodle bars on my BJ and find them really comfy on rides I've done (up to 80 miles). The little twist on the tops makes a big difference to me and I find the drop is shallow enough, as I spend a fair amount of time there.

i'm basically riding about town and just want something a bit comfier/more practical. justlooking for any advice at all, however personal, so i can try something new. if it's not for me, i'll try something else. my hands aint that big, and i like drops but am completely open to trying bullbars...

I adore the randonneurs!
I tried them and instantly bought another pair for my geared bike.

Handlebars are very much down to the rider though, but I like how the shape seems to mold itself to my grip.

I just put some of those on my bling bike in order to re-purpose the noodle bars for a road project. Very happy with the randonneurs.

And the noodles are really nice too. Loads of hand positions.

noodles vs. randonneurs. whats the pros and cons?

Cinelli Valencia/On-one Fleegle or Mary FTW around town.
Way more comfy than drops when you don't need to be as aero and just better in everyway that risers.

noodles vs. randonneurs. whats the pros and cons?

http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-351251.html

What is it you don't like about the track drops? Drops too deep? Not enough hand positions? Not wide enough? Too far forward? Too upright?

Not sure what is "uncomfortable" to you.

the track drops aint wide enough on the flats, give me sore wrists. the drops are a bit too deep for riding about town, i think. i've not really tried any other bars so am a bit inexperienced and not sure what the great benefits would be. i used to ride flat bars and they were just shit...

Everyone knows risers are comfy when fitted with spongy grips and everyone knows carbon absorbs 'road buzz' so...

why not buy my carbon risres off me? £50 and they're yours. These

thanks for the link, shannon...

no thanks, Dovvles. but thanks...

Risers are an deffo an option. The randonneurs will give you less of a flat surface (but usable) and the shallow drop is nice. The noodles will give you loads of flat space and give you usable drops as well. If you're London based go to the drinks - plenty of options to try out other people's bars and get opinions. And beer.

Don't do it!

One guy got mugged at South Beers, they took his bike and Vans trainers. Old guy called Pisti did it.

thanks for everyones help. i'm in glasgow , Aroogah. think i might try out the noodles tho.

the track drops aint wide enough on the flats, give me sore wrists. the drops are a bit too deep for riding about town, i think. i've not really tried any other bars so am a bit inexperienced and not sure what the great benefits would be. i used to ride flat bars and they were just shit...

Worth trying a compact drop bar. Shallower drop, with ends that come further back, large flat area and shorter length to the hoods (not sure if you are using hoods?)

Brixton Cycles put me onto some Nitto Neats - shallow drop and short reach. I hadn't heard of them before, but they're working out nicely enough.

I'm a big fan of drop bars.

But if you dont use the drops that much, and dont have hoods. Bull bars are a better option for casual cycling IMHO. Tilt them up slightly and you have the all important 'on-the-hoods' position, good room on the flats (depending on bar), and a aero positon on the ends with horizontal forearms (for faster cruising).

I like drops too and after trying bull horn / aero bars, the only benefit I can see over drops is you have a better hold on the bars when mimicing the hoods possition.

Always wanted to try the noodles, but haven't got around to it.

At the mo I'm using a cheap set of modern compact drops like these:

...but using a couple of sizes too big. They're perfect for my fixed in london, bc you've got as much (if not more) room as you'd have with flats or risers, plus on the hoods, and the drops.

Not sure how they'd feel if I did a really long ride, but that's what my road bike's for ;)

BLB have loads of those Bontrager ones out back, and charged me a fiver. Well worth picking a set up to try out. Then if you like them the fsa ones seem to get good reviews.

I've never spent much time in the ergo ones, but I like the way the compacts bring the hoods in closer... which means they might not be great if you're really long - maybe someone else can advise?