"cow horn" handlebars stem question

Would I want to go with a shorter stem length if I switched off to say,
Nitto time trial handlebars from regular road bars?

On Aug 19, 9:48 am, "Jim Flom" wrote:
Would I want to go with a shorter stem length if I switched off to say,
Nitto time trial handlebars from regular road bars?

It depends on how you will be using them. In theory, TT handlebars are
used to get you more aerodynamic. Find the most aero position that you
can comfortably get on you current road bars. Try to place your TT
bars in a position in which your hands, while near that brake levers,
will be just as aerodynamic or more so. On the other hand, if you are
going to use them as a base for some bolt on tri type aerobars, Then
you need to figure out what is the ideal position for bolt ons a and
then, Adjusting the stem accordingly.

A TT handlebar will place you hands slightly further forward than on
road bars. However, they may not place them as low as in the drops of
a road bar. so you need to decide also if you want to be more
stretched or lower. So, you may keep the same stem and be a little
more stretched. or you may want to get a shorter stem and place it
lower.

What is your objective for getting TT bars? Saving weight? More
aerodynamic position? Base for bolt-on tri bars? Looks? comfort?

Andres

On Sun, 19 Aug 2007 15:48:52 GMT, "Jim Flom"
wrote:

Would I want to go with a shorter stem length if I switched off to say,
Nitto time trial handlebars from regular road bars?
Look at where each bar places your hands relative to where the bar
attaches to the stem, and adust the length of the stem accordingly.
--
JT
****************************
Remove "remove" to reply
Visit http://www.jt10000.com
****************************

On Aug 19, 5:48 pm, "Jim Flom" wrote:
Would I want to go with a shorter stem length if I switched off to say,
Nitto time trial handlebars from regular road bars?

Take notice.
A TT handlebar never allows a variaty of grip positions as a regular
racing bar. That may be a serious disadvantage.

Sergio
Pisa

wrote in message
ups.com...
On Aug 19, 9:48 am, "Jim Flom" wrote:
Would I want to go with a shorter stem length if I switched off to say,
Nitto time trial handlebars from regular road bars?

It depends on how you will be using them. In theory, TT handlebars are
used to get you more aerodynamic. Find the most aero position that you
can comfortably get on you current road bars. Try to place your TT
bars in a position in which your hands, while near that brake levers,
will be just as aerodynamic or more so. On the other hand, if you are
going to use them as a base for some bolt on tri type aerobars, Then
you need to figure out what is the ideal position for bolt ons a and
then, Adjusting the stem accordingly.

A TT handlebar will place you hands slightly further forward than on
road bars. However, they may not place them as low as in the drops of
a road bar. so you need to decide also if you want to be more
stretched or lower. So, you may keep the same stem and be a little
more stretched. or you may want to get a shorter stem and place it
lower.

What is your objective for getting TT bars? Saving weight? More
aerodynamic position? Base for bolt-on tri bars? Looks? comfort?

I'm switching off the road bars from the fixed gear that I use mostly for
in-town riding. I don't want to use the road bars, and looking at the
available options, I see that bike messengers sometimes prefer them. I am
after a more upright ride than if I were in the drops. Given what you're
saying it sounds like I don't want the additional stretch, but don't want to
ride lower either. I have a shorter stem that I can switch out if need be.

On Aug 19, 11:02 am, "Jim Flom" wrote:
wrote in message

ups.com...



On Aug 19, 9:48 am, "Jim Flom" wrote:
Would I want to go with a shorter stem length if I switched off to say,
Nitto time trial handlebars from regular road bars?

It depends on how you will be using them. In theory, TT handlebars are
used to get you more aerodynamic. Find the most aero position that you
can comfortably get on you current road bars. Try to place your TT
bars in a position in which your hands, while near that brake levers,
will be just as aerodynamic or more so. On the other hand, if you are
going to use them as a base for some bolt on tri type aerobars, Then
you need to figure out what is the ideal position for bolt ons a and
then, Adjusting the stem accordingly.

A TT handlebar will place you hands slightly further forward than on
road bars. However, they may not place them as low as in the drops of
a road bar. so you need to decide also if you want to be more
stretched or lower. So, you may keep the same stem and be a little
more stretched. or you may want to get a shorter stem and place it
lower.

What is your objective for getting TT bars? Saving weight? More
aerodynamic position? Base for bolt-on tri bars? Looks? comfort?

I'm switching off the road bars from the fixed gear that I use mostly for
in-town riding. I don't want to use the road bars, and looking at the
available options, I see that bike messengers sometimes prefer them. I am
after a more upright ride than if I were in the drops. Given what you're
saying it sounds like I don't want the additional stretch, but don't want to
ride lower either. I have a shorter stem that I can switch out if need be.

As JT suggests, you can find a comfortable position in your current
setup. Measure the distance where you would place your hands to the
saddle. Place the TTs so that the your hands on the TTs will be at the
same distance. Note that some cownhorns have very long ends, and some
are shorter. when you put the break levers, they may be too far
forward. and hence your hands will be really far forward. You can
either use a shorted stem, or chop a couple of inches of the
cowhorns.

Sergio points to something obvious, but important. Road bars have four
or five hand positions. TTs have only two to three. a very comfortable
position that you end up losing with the TTs is the ability to rest
your hands on your brake levers. some people chop the Road bars below
the levers and end up with a set up which is similar to the TTs and
the brake levers to rest your hands. You end up with the cleaner look
that some bike couriers and commuters favor. Once you chopped the road
bar ends, you can flip them and end up with cowhorns. That is what
Road racers used to do in the olden days. Cowhorns were essentially
flipped road bars with the ends chopped of. Note that this is a money
saving altenative too. cheap roadbars can be found on ebay for peanuts
sometimes. TT bars are often more expensive.

I rambled a lot, but to answer your specific question, measure the
distance from the tip of your saddle and where you would want your
hands to be. You can also lay the tts right on top of your roadbars.
See where the position of your hands will be on the TTs in comparison
to where they are on your roadbars. You may need a shorter stem as you
suggest.

Andres

On Aug 19, 9:48 am, "Jim Flom" wrote:
Would I want to go with a shorter stem length if I switched off to say,
Nitto time trial handlebars from regular road bars?

Probably just the opposite since where your hands live on a cowhorn is
farther forward than a drop handlebar on the hoods. But use the
present stem and see before you change both.

On Aug 19, 5:48 pm, "Jim Flom" wrote:
Would I want to go with a shorter stem length if I switched off to say,
Nitto time trial handlebars from regular road bars?

I'd say it depends on whether you use the tops or the hoods most
often, and how the bars you choose match up to your existing road bar
reach.

I have a set of nashbar cow-horns on my fixed gear bike. I opted to
have a stem that makes the tops be in the same place as on my road
bike. This means the cow-horn part is a little further out than the
hoods are on my road bike, but not much. I find that while the cow-
horns don't have as many positions as the regular road bars, the
comfort of the forward position makes up fo this. My hands feel
cramped on the hoods of my road bike in a way they don't with cow-
horns. If you are just swapping bars, the existing stem length is
probably fine. I also don't miss the drops position because I ride my
fixed gear in a more relaxed manner than my road bike, so even if the
bike had drops, I would probably never use them.

Gratuitous link to pic of my bike pre-frame swap:

http://arbitrary.org/black.JPG

Joseph

On 19 Ago, 19:23, "
Sergio points to something obvious, but important. Road bars have four
or five hand positions. TTs have only two to three.

Not to take back my previous warning, by all means!, let me add the
following.
Just for the change1, I have in the past acquired and built up a
Benotto TT machine, an excellent 26" front wheel frameset, with what
you call a cow-horn handelbar.
As a matter of fact it turned out to be so comfortable that I happily
take it out also on rather long outings, up to five hours so far, with
no inconvenience whatsoever.
Going uphill or downhill I never feel the need to sit up nor farther
back on the saddle.
A marvel!

Sergio
Pisa

Jim Flom wrote:
Would I want to go with a shorter stem length if I switched off to say,
Nitto time trial handlebars from regular road bars?



I've a bike with drop bars and a bike with Syntace bullhorns (1 cm
drop). The cock pit length is the same and both bikes are very
comfortable. You really don't need a shorter stem b/c you can put your
hands right at or just past the bend forward, giving a very relaxed "on
the hoods" position that is a nice alternative to the "tops" of the
bars. The middle of bars analogous to the actual hoods on a set of drop
bars.

I find the bars to be very comfortable and perfect for commuting...3
relaxed hand positions, and one that's a little more aggressive.
Basically the sweet spot between drop bars and flat bars. I have Tektro
TT levers that are long enough that I don't have to be completely
stretched out to get very good stopping power as well. YMMV.

\\paul