Handlebars

[ding-dong]

Hi Guys.
I have a Dahon Espresso which has the "modern" straight bars. After over 50 years since I rode a bike I do'nt feel very safe (confident) on it. Would it be much easier to ride with "sit up and beg" bars do you think ?.
Thanks for looking,Ed (ding-dong).

p.s. It has a front motor.

 

[kitchenman]

You could try bar ends. They made a big difference to my bike and improved my confidence.

 

[JamesC]

Hi Guys.
I have a Dahon Espresso which has the "modern" straight bars. After over 50 years since I rode a bike I do'nt feel very safe (confident) on it. Would it be much easier to ride with "sit up and beg" bars do you think ?.
Thanks for looking,Ed (ding-dong).

p.s. It has a front motor.

For me, the answer to the question has been yes.

I had the opportunity to ride both the Kalkhoff Agattu (swept back bars) and the Kalhhoff ProConnect (straightish bars).

Sitting in a more upright position requires less strength in the back muscles to take the pressure off the shoulders.
It is also much easier to glance behind you by rotating at the waist as well as the neck if the neck has stiffened up over the years.

I am using swept back handlebars on the ProConnect at present, and enjoying longer rides.

Remember that some of the brake/gear cables may have to be longer with swept back bars.

James

 

[JuicyBike]

And there would be no need to change the length of any cables, by using bar ends.

 

[Scimitar]

I fitted riser semi pull-back bars to mine and it's quite good, transforming the bike into something comfortable. Basically, it's slowly transmuting into a cruiser style, now I've taken delivery of a Fat Frank

 

[kitchenman]

I fitted riser semi pull-back bars to mine and it's quite good, transforming the bike into something comfortable. Basically, it's slowly transmuting into a cruiser style, now I've taken delivery of a Fat Frank

Any chance of some photos?

 

[jerrysimon]

I find all my bikes handle bar ends have to be a least +40" off the ground level for comfort. I am 5'10".

The easiest way I have found to do this is to buy a tall adjustable quill stem. Make sure you check and get the right diam one to fit your fork steerer tube i.e. 22.2mm(1") or 25.4mm(1 1/8) though most come with a shim to allow fitting for both sizes. Mine were all off ebay and good value.

This shows my tallest stem I have fitted to my recently aquired hybrid Pashley Fold-It with Moulton APB forks.

A simlar solution on my old Raleigh/Moutlon MK3 and for ahead equipped bikes like my Moulton TSR2 I use a 130mm adjustable riser also available on ebay.

Ebay link for a typical quill stem solution though you may not need one this tall.

These solutions allow plenty of rise and back adjustment, perfect as you get older like me and can't bend over for too long.

My EBrompton has M bars and is about right already though another 1" higher would be nice.

Regards

Jerry

 

[ding-dong]

Hi Jerry.
I agree that lifting the bars up should'nt be a problem but all your pics have straightish bars. I was thinking the old "traditional" swept backs may be more comfortable?.
I would be very greatfull for any more reports.
Thank you all very much. Ed. (ding-dong).

 

[MikeyBikey]

You may mean the 'North Road' style of handlebar. Probably SJS cycles and others have them as long as they fit your stem clamp size (folding bikes sometimes have custom sizes). CH White is a Dahon dealer & has a very confusing website that includes http://s442721994.e-shop.info/shop/category_e290407b953c81cdb864c8ce53c3cf4e/Dahon-Handlebars.html?sessid=WFZjyc9hJUxNZjA1tfGxJSxEdoh1XHJWD03eMWNosbem74hR8R2oHkL1i63YHH5S&shop_param=cid=& a handlebar for " BioLogic Crescent, 6061 aluminum. Larger curvature on the bar, for a more upright riding position". There is a phone number to check if it'll fit your bike.

 

[KirstinS]

I always recommend trying On One Mary Bars

They are SO comfortable and kind of a happy medium between full on Dutch and straight

 

[KirstinS]

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/HBOOMA/on-one-mary-handlebar

Blimey - marked down to a tenner !!

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