Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
What should be obvious is that virtually everyone posting on this thread has different experiences, and that is the only consensus. I have no use for noodles, and like Cinelli 64 as my favorite drops. There are two post adjacent posts where one says alba is more comfortable than drop on long distance and the next says the opposite. In the end, you're going to have to dial it in and figure out what works for you - but that's the way this always works. On Friday, June 19, 2015 at 2:56:37 PM UTC-5, Tim Gavin wrote: ... My experience with moustache bars parallels the experience of Albatross/Albastache/Moustache users here. ... -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
Best distance upright bar for me is the bosco. You can get aero on them or upright the range is huge. Personally I still like drops better for long spirited rides (200K plus), but have no issue riding a century with upright bars. The other thing to consider is that bars don't exist in a vacuum. Distance from saddle, saddle to bar drop, saddle set back, frame geometry, all play a huge role in how a bar feels and fits.. A long toptube and long chainstays are nice with bosco bars as it won't feel like the bar is in your lap and you will still have weight distributed more between the wheels as you would on a short chainstay bike with a short top tube. In additon, what is comfortable for 80 miles can be very different at 200 miles. I have no problem riding in carhartt shorts and cotton boxers for 50 miles or so, but would not think of doing a 300K brevet without real bike shorts and chamois cream. The only way to figure it out for yourself though is to go further than is comfortable. Also, make sure to make your changes and then ride them for a while. Some things may not feel right immediately but once you spend some time with it that can change. If you constantly fiddle with the setup you never get to perfect because your body takes a little to adapt. When I first got my Jones bike I loved it but hated the Jones bars and it was hard for me to ride them without constantly wheely-ing the bike when climbing. Took a few rides and Jeff Jones telling me to stick with it before it clicked. Now I think the bars are great, but they were not great right away. Clayton Scott SF, CA On Friday, June 19, 2015 at 1:23:04 PM UTC-7, Ron Mc wrote: What should be obvious is that virtually everyone posting on this thread has different experiences, and that is the only consensus. I have no use for noodles, and like Cinelli 64 as my favorite drops. There are two post adjacent posts where one says alba is more comfortable than drop on long distance and the next says the opposite. In the end, you're going to have to dial it in and figure out what works for you - but that's the way this always works. On Friday, June 19, 2015 at 2:56:37 PM UTC-5, Tim Gavin wrote: ... My experience with moustache bars parallels the experience of Albatross/Albastache/Moustache users here. ... -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
I've had very good experiences over the past couple of years riding long distances (up to about 90 miles/day, and a week long, ~500 mile tour with plenty of climbing) with upright bars, mostly 58cm Boscos. I totally agree with Ron and Clayton: just like with drop bars, set up matters, and every body is different with regards to things like core strength, flexibility, limb and torso dimensions, etc. Definitely, for me, long top tubes and stems seem to help me get upright bars feeling nice and roomy. While I love my Boscos dearly, I've also had a pair of the current standard 55cm CrMo albatrosses that have moved between a couple of different bikes and umpteen different setups and the truth is, they haven't worked as well for me. I think a lot of this is down to width; the bit of extra width on the Boscos really helps me be in a relaxed yet-secure position. I was at Riv HQ this past weekend and riding one of their Hunqapillars with Alba's that felt better, and talking to Keven I discovered that in fact had one of the older, slightly wider (56cm) bars on it. I was surprised at the difference it made. I think the bend was subtly different was well, such that it maintained more if its width closer to the forward curve. In terms of climbing, I actually feel like I climb better with Boscos, especially long climbs, since the position doesn't put as much strain on my lower back and hip areas. My whole body is more relaxed, so more of my energy can be sent to power my legs. If i do need more leverage or to shift my weight forward for a steep bit, I can grab the boscos on the forward curves. Furthermore, sitting up and looking around while climbing is an awesome way to pass the time while climbing. I've done many rides on upright bars that I had only previously done on drops and have been amazed by how many new things I've noticed: cool trees, interesting houses, little vistas that only emerge momentarily in passing. I think that's especially nice when you're on tour and passing through new areas. The headwind thing I think is fair. Prior to the beginning of this year, I was living in a place where most rides involved a lot of climbing (Berkeley), but now I've moved to a flatter locale (Sacramento) where headwinds are more of a challenge, and I think about it a lot. If you're comparing my position to that of a racy drop bar bike I'm definitely presenting a larger surface area. However, if you are comparing my real-world Bosco position to a drop bar position I might actually ride, I'm not so sure. Over the weekend I was riding with a friend of similar height, whose bike was setup very similarly to my last drop bar position, before I sold my road bike: contemporary short-and-shallow drop bars setup roughly seat height and with a short stem. At one point I was riding behind him when he was in the drops and noticed that with my hands on the forward part of the bosco grip area and my elbows only slightly bent, that my head was basically level with his, so overall our cross sectional area couldn't have been that different. Even if there is a disadvantage to upright bars in terms of wind resistance, it's only a disadvantage in a headwind. The second you have a tailwind, you're flying! In general I don't really care about speed that much, although I appreciate being efficient. I feel like upright bars give me more confidence to ride longer distances with more comfort, so even if there is a speed penalty I think it's worth it overall. I do totally get how swept back bars can be bit tricky in tight, low speed turns. I've developed an instinct to deal with that: when I do have to go around a tight corner and rotate the bars a bunch, I kick out my inside knee, kind of like a moto GP rider, although I'm sure it looks funny since it's only at low speeds. On Friday, June 19, 2015 at 5:38:10 PM UTC-4, Clayton.sf wrote: Best distance upright bar for me is the bosco. You can get aero on them or upright the range is huge. Personally I still like drops better for long spirited rides (200K plus), but have no issue riding a century with upright bars. The other thing to consider is that bars don't exist in a vacuum. Distance from saddle, saddle to bar drop, saddle set back, frame geometry, all play a huge role in how a bar feels and fits.. A long toptube and long chainstays are nice with bosco bars as it won't feel like the bar is in your lap and you will still have weight distributed more between the wheels as you would on a short chainstay bike with a short top tube. In additon, what is comfortable for 80 miles can be very different at 200 miles. I have no problem riding in carhartt shorts and cotton boxers for 50 miles or so, but would not think of doing a 300K brevet without real bike shorts and chamois cream. The only way to figure it out for yourself though is to go further than is comfortable. Also, make sure to make
Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
I found the Albatross bars on my Atlantis not really ideal for long distance for a few reasons: - When riding at a casual pace, they are supremely comfortable. Very 'chill' one could say. I had them setup about 1cm above my saddle height. I had two good hand position options, and one more forward but less comfortable option. - The very upright position placed all my weight on the saddle, in a very specific way. When I use drops, even when they are higher up, I find that leaning forward (not bending down, leaning forward. It's different!) gives me a few different ways to position my body on the saddle, which allows me to ride comfortably for over 200km at a time. With the abla's I had difficulty doing that and as a result would get a sore butt after a while. - The WIND! Not sure where you live, but where I am from everything is quite exposed. Riding with the alba's turns your body into a wall basically. There is no hiding from the wind, no drops to drop into to minimize the drag. Regardless if you don't care about going quickly, it's a real drag to fight the wind tooth and nail all day while you're in a very upright position (see what I did there..?) - bar interference - when riding trails, I found the fact that the bars sweep back so far, they would hit my legs when trying to make tight turns. For that reason they are never an option when trail riding anything other than smooth flowy stuff. I had a few times when I couldn't make a corner because the bars were in the way. Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE these bars! They are my go-to winter bar because they work very well with mitts. They are very stable on snow as well. For booting around town, they'd be the best bar ever. For rides around 100km where you don't give a hoot about how long it takes you, fantastic bar! But if I was on an extended tour where I wanted to hit a particular distance each day, and there was some exposure to the wind, I would be hesitant to use 'em. Just my two cents! https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ypMSLA0ZeUA/VYQj0zmjcmI/LMc/v5gwbpwbDX8/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-06-19%2Bat%2B9.14.02%2BAM.png On Friday, June 19, 2015 at 8:27:34 AM UTC-5, Steven Sweedler wrote: Matthew, any pics of your bike loaded up, epecially the rear low rider. Thanks, Steve On Friday, June 19, 2015, Matthew J matth...@gmail.com javascript: wrote: My tour bike has Albatross bars. Set up with top of the stem slightly above the saddle and the bars angled slightly down. This bike uses fore and aft low rider racks. Other than my corpse and a small saddle bag to store my wallet, snack, and a map, no non-bike weight above the top of the rim. Longest tour I've done with this set up is 10 days, average 70 miles per day. Experienced no wrist pain or muscle strain. My right shoulder sometimes got a little sore, but this also happens on longer rides on my drops equipped road bike. On Thursday, June 18, 2015 at 11:41:00 PM UTC-5, Daniel D. wrote: Day Dreaming about how I would build up a sam. Thinking about why I want the sam realized it would be for fun long rides. If I'm running errands I'd use my cheaper bikes. Loaded touring I have a bike for that. Are drop bars a safer bet for long distance riding? Don't have much experience with upright bars. Seems like the upright bars limit the options for hand position. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- Steven Sweedler Plymouth, New Hampshire -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
Matthew, any pics of your bike loaded up, epecially the rear low rider. Thanks, Steve On Friday, June 19, 2015, Matthew J matthewj...@gmail.com wrote: My tour bike has Albatross bars. Set up with top of the stem slightly above the saddle and the bars angled slightly down. This bike uses fore and aft low rider racks. Other than my corpse and a small saddle bag to store my wallet, snack, and a map, no non-bike weight above the top of the rim. Longest tour I've done with this set up is 10 days, average 70 miles per day. Experienced no wrist pain or muscle strain. My right shoulder sometimes got a little sore, but this also happens on longer rides on my drops equipped road bike. On Thursday, June 18, 2015 at 11:41:00 PM UTC-5, Daniel D. wrote: Day Dreaming about how I would build up a sam. Thinking about why I want the sam realized it would be for fun long rides. If I'm running errands I'd use my cheaper bikes. Loaded touring I have a bike for that. Are drop bars a safer bet for long distance riding? Don't have much experience with upright bars. Seems like the upright bars limit the options for hand position. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','rbw-owners-bunch%2bunsubscr...@googlegroups.com'); . To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com');. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- Steven Sweedler Plymouth, New Hampshire -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
Steve, I've ridden 55 and 65 mi on this bike this year, but a 38 mi ride is enough to find those little annoying circulation pinches. Long is relative. Especially on an upright, add a good headwind (18-22 kt earlier this week) and 26 mi is a long ride. On Friday, June 19, 2015 at 6:22:17 AM UTC-5, Steve Palincsar wrote: On 06/19/2015 07:04 AM, Ron Mc wrote: Pressure (eliminating it) is the entire key to riding distance. . When we were young, we didn't lean on the bars, we pulled on them. Even now, we should be supporting ourselves with our core muscles, not our hands and shoulders. I've ridden over 100 mi for the week - longest stint was 38 mi - all on my upright. .Long rides are where you figure out those slight position tweaks that will solve the circulation pinches (numbness) that your adjustments are very close to dialing out. When you say long rides, what sort of distance do you have in mind? Was that 38 mile ride a long ride? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
On 06/19/2015 07:31 AM, Ron Mc wrote: (challenging others on the forum is not cool) When you say long rides, what sort of distance do you have in mind? Was that 38 mile ride a long ride? That's not a challenge, it's a request for information, to understand your frame of reference. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
fair enough - I tweaked my knee on the 26-mi ride earlier this week. climbing hard and steady against that headwind. So I started out the 38-mi ride with a tweaked knee. I did eat a motrin at my water stops, but made the ride without knee pain and, particularly nice, no saddle, shoulder or wrist numbness. On Friday, June 19, 2015 at 6:44:32 AM UTC-5, Steve Palincsar wrote: On 06/19/2015 07:31 AM, Ron Mc wrote: (challenging others on the forum is not cool) When you say long rides, what sort of distance do you have in mind? Was that 38 mile ride a long ride? That's not a challenge, it's a request for information, to understand your frame of reference. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
Pressure (eliminating it) is the entire key to riding distance. . When we were young, we didn't lean on the bars, we pulled on them. Even now, we should be supporting ourselves with our core muscles, not our hands and shoulders. I've ridden over 100 mi for the week - longest stint was 38 mi - all on my upright. .Long rides are where you figure out those slight position tweaks that will solve the circulation pinches (numbness) that your adjustments are very close to dialing out. Not this week, but a few weeks ago the adjustment I was making was rotating the bar ends up, then adjusting the overall height back down on the stem. Last adjustments were the opposite, as I'm slowly zeroing in on perfect wrist angles. The way my upright is set up, I have two hand positions. The first is the equivalent of hooks, the second is slightly wider on the grips. On Friday, June 19, 2015 at 12:22:33 AM UTC-5, Michael Williams wrote: and this takes pressure off hands/ wrists and Im not really wanting to move my hands around all the time. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
(challenging others on the forum is not cool) When you say long rides, what sort of distance do you have in mind? Was that 38 mile ride a long ride? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
On 06/19/2015 07:04 AM, Ron Mc wrote: Pressure (eliminating it) is the entire key to riding distance. . When we were young, we didn't lean on the bars, we pulled on them. Even now, we should be supporting ourselves with our core muscles, not our hands and shoulders. I've ridden over 100 mi for the week - longest stint was 38 mi - all on my upright. .Long rides are where you figure out those slight position tweaks that will solve the circulation pinches (numbness) that your adjustments are very close to dialing out. When you say long rides, what sort of distance do you have in mind? Was that 38 mile ride a long ride? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
On 06/19/2015 07:29 AM, Ron Mc wrote: Steve, I've ridden 55 and 65 mi on this bike this year, but a 38 mi ride is enough to find those little annoying circulation pinches. Long is relative. Especially on an upright, add a good headwind (18-22 kt earlier this week) and 26 mi is a long ride. I totally agree with that. It's all about your frame of reference. This year, the randonneuring lists were all about getting ready for Paris-Brest-Paris, and 1200 km randonnees; and fine tuning position based on a 40 mile ride won't necessarily provide answers that will hold up at that kind of distance - or, in my experience, even to the 80 - 100 mile range, never mind brevet distances. Not that I'm suggesting I could do centuries on an upright, regardless of the wind. I can't. For me, uprights are strictly short-range. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/bulldog1935/Raleigh/Viner/aP6160005.jpg ps - both the 26 and 38 were wet rides with TS Bill fallout, and wet sandy pavement always loads you down On Friday, June 19, 2015 at 7:06:00 AM UTC-5, Ron Mc wrote: fair enough - I tweaked my knee on the 26-mi ride earlier this week. climbing hard and steady against that headwind. So I started out the 38-mi ride with a tweaked knee. I did eat a motrin at my water stops, but made the ride without knee pain and, particularly nice, no saddle, shoulder or wrist numbness. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
I'm currently on day 3 of my first tour with albas. I did a short tour with drops and was very uncomfortable, so I switched to upright bars and the conversion felt great. To mark's point, the great feeling is really limited to casual riding. I'm finding that out. I can't find a position I like for long steep climbs, which is adding many hand position shifts and wiggling around to an already tough situation. The on the curves position, for me, is barely workable, since those curves angle down. 5 more days and I'm already thinking about an albastache swap when I get home -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
These are basically all the reasons why I think the Albastache is superior to the Albatross as a drop-bar alternative. It is somewhere in between Albas and drops and - in my opinion - combines the advantages of both. KJ On Friday, June 19, 2015 at 10:14:58 AM UTC-4, Mark Reimer wrote: I found the Albatross bars on my Atlantis not really ideal for long distance for a few reasons: - When riding at a casual pace, they are supremely comfortable. Very 'chill' one could say. I had them setup about 1cm above my saddle height. I had two good hand position options, and one more forward but less comfortable option. - The very upright position placed all my weight on the saddle, in a very specific way. When I use drops, even when they are higher up, I find that leaning forward (not bending down, leaning forward. It's different!) gives me a few different ways to position my body on the saddle, which allows me to ride comfortably for over 200km at a time. With the abla's I had difficulty doing that and as a result would get a sore butt after a while. - The WIND! Not sure where you live, but where I am from everything is quite exposed. Riding with the alba's turns your body into a wall basically. There is no hiding from the wind, no drops to drop into to minimize the drag. Regardless if you don't care about going quickly, it's a real drag to fight the wind tooth and nail all day while you're in a very upright position (see what I did there..?) - bar interference - when riding trails, I found the fact that the bars sweep back so far, they would hit my legs when trying to make tight turns. For that reason they are never an option when trail riding anything other than smooth flowy stuff. I had a few times when I couldn't make a corner because the bars were in the way. Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE these bars! They are my go-to winter bar because they work very well with mitts. They are very stable on snow as well. For booting around town, they'd be the best bar ever. For rides around 100km where you don't give a hoot about how long it takes you, fantastic bar! But if I was on an extended tour where I wanted to hit a particular distance each day, and there was some exposure to the wind, I would be hesitant to use 'em. Just my two cents! -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
I've heard a lot of good about the Albastache bars. Think I will have to give them a try. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
any pics of your bike loaded up, epecially the rear low rider. I fear I am the un-photographer and have not yet photographed the bike on the move. Here are pictures https://www.flickr.com/photos/22538785@N05/sets/72157644990725641 right after the build. I load the bags backward - Brooks Land's End up front, Smaller Ortlieb panniers on the back with the top hanging from the middle bar. The Watson Ti bar looked cool, but was not my cup of tea at all. I swapped for Albas after the first ride. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
wow Matthew, beautiful ride and great work On Friday, June 19, 2015 at 9:34:56 AM UTC-5, Matthew J wrote: any pics of your bike loaded up, epecially the rear low rider. I fear I am the un-photographer and have not yet photographed the bike on the move. Here are pictures https://www.flickr.com/photos/22538785@N05/sets/72157644990725641 right after the build. I load the bags backward - Brooks Land's End up front, Smaller Ortlieb panniers on the back with the top hanging from the middle bar. The Watson Ti bar looked cool, but was not my cup of tea at all. I swapped for Albas after the first ride. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
The one thing moustache bar gives you over hoods is tremendous brake leverage, but you have that with albas, also On Friday, June 19, 2015 at 9:36:28 AM UTC-5, Ron Mc wrote: I agree with everything Mark posted, and also agree with Kieran that the 'stache should be a more versatile bar, because of a wider range of hand positions. However, what I have found is those different hand positions don't change my back position - they just spread my arms around. I have the older moustache bar on my utility bike, which I call semi-upright (I've ridden the bike 40 mi with a 2500' climb). Not just the weight of the bike, but I find that I can go farther either on my drop bar bike or my fully upright bike. It's more about back positions than hand positions, in fact, the moustache cockpit is my benchmark and I used it to take measurements setting up both of my other bikes. But I find I have greater range of back positions on either the upright or drops than I do on the moustache. The wind? Not a wall, but a parachute. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
I agree with everything Mark posted, and also agree with Kieran that the 'stache should be a more versatile bar, because of a wider range of hand positions. However, what I have found is those different hand positions don't change my back position - they just spread my arms around. I have the older moustache bar on my utility bike, which I call semi-upright (I've ridden the bike 40 mi with a 2500' climb). Not just the weight of the bike, but I find that I can go farther either on my drop bar bike or my fully upright bike. It's more about back positions than hand positions, in fact, the moustache cockpit is my benchmark and I used it to take measurements setting up both of my other bikes. But I find I have greater range of back positions on either the upright or drops than I do on the moustache. The wind? Not a wall, but a parachute. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
wow Matthew, beautiful ride and great work Thank you. There is (sort of) an RBWOB connection. Eric used late '80s Ibis geometry as his starting point. Our host Jim appears to be a fan! -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
Is it worth pointing out that drop bars, even more so than upright bars, come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, and that the details of setup matter a great deal? I've tried a lot of bars. And, as I always carry at least my Park Y allen wrench with me, am not shy about readjusting to find the best fit for me. After many years and many miles I have found that Albas are a great fit on my touring bike, Jitensha flat bars for commuting, and Nitto M176 for no to lightly loaded road riding. Certainly I am happy enough with my configuration to suggest others give it a try. No skin off my teeth if someone goes a different direction. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
+1 Personally, the older style drops where the bars drop down before you hit the hoods are totally not compatible with my hands. Think 70s and 80s road bikes. Modern drops where you have a nearly horizontal flat section right into the hoods, and then the bars drop, are fantastic for me. But the Noodle remains my all time favourite. Huge flat ramps, and the gentle bend just works for me. On Fri, Jun 19, 2015 at 1:00 PM, Steve Palincsar palin...@his.com wrote: On 06/19/2015 11:11 AM, drew wrote: I'm currently on day 3 of my first tour with albas. I did a short tour with drops and was very uncomfortable, so I switched to upright bars and the conversion felt great. To mark's point, the great feeling is really limited to casual riding. I'm finding that out. I can't find a position I like for long steep climbs, which is adding many hand position shifts and wiggling around to an already tough situation. The on the curves position, for me, is barely workable, since those curves angle down. 5 more days and I'm already thinking about an albastache swap when I get home Is it worth pointing out that drop bars, even more so than upright bars, come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, and that the details of setup matter a great deal? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this topic, visit https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/w_8-IWsz55M/unsubscribe . To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
On 06/19/2015 11:11 AM, drew wrote: I'm currently on day 3 of my first tour with albas. I did a short tour with drops and was very uncomfortable, so I switched to upright bars and the conversion felt great. To mark's point, the great feeling is really limited to casual riding. I'm finding that out. I can't find a position I like for long steep climbs, which is adding many hand position shifts and wiggling around to an already tough situation. The on the curves position, for me, is barely workable, since those curves angle down. 5 more days and I'm already thinking about an albastache swap when I get home Is it worth pointing out that drop bars, even more so than upright bars, come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, and that the details of setup matter a great deal? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
I have ventured into non-drop bars--moustache, albatross, Sparrow, Jitensha bars, I find using non-drop bars keeps me in one back position and compresses my lower back. This is not an issue for short distance, but I really need to stretch my back out more (think downward facing dog). My wife, who rides as much as I do, is of the same opinion (after commuting on a 89 Trek 850 with Jitensha bar, she goes back to riding her bell-lap equipped 82 Trek 720 and said that it was much more comfortable). So all my bikes have drop bars, even my porteur that has a very large porteur rack and a large porteur bag (the Swift Industries Polaris). The fours different bars on my bikes are Nitto Randonneur (Jitensha version), Nitto Dirt Drop, Nitto Noodle (46cm), and Velo Orange Course bars. Even for short distances I prefer them over non-drop bars. Franklyn Berkeley, CA On Friday, June 19, 2015 at 11:28:13 AM UTC-7, Matthew J wrote: Is it worth pointing out that drop bars, even more so than upright bars, come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, and that the details of setup matter a great deal? I've tried a lot of bars. And, as I always carry at least my Park Y allen wrench with me, am not shy about readjusting to find the best fit for me. After many years and many miles I have found that Albas are a great fit on my touring bike, Jitensha flat bars for commuting, and Nitto M176 for no to lightly loaded road riding. Certainly I am happy enough with my configuration to suggest others give it a try. No skin off my teeth if someone goes a different direction. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
I rode the entire RAGBRAI (~450 miles over 7 days) last year on moustache bars in a Nitto Dirt Drop 10 stem and bar-end Silver shifters. My experience with moustache bars parallels the experience of Albatross/Albastache/Moustache users here. I found the moustache bars to be excellent town and casual bars, but not great for faster riding or longer distances. The rearward, parallel extensions made a very comfortable place to ride upright or semi-upright. Unfortunately, I didn't find either of the forward positions (inside the curves, or out on the brake hoods) to be very comfortable. I find the forward positions to be too far forward, leaving my arms out like superman and my body core unsupported. On the moustache bars, I found myself rotating between the three positions but unable to comfortably settle on one. I switched my Riv back to drops (Nitto B135 Randonneur) after liking them so much on my drop-bar-converted-KOM. http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/Tim_Gavin/media/Rivendell/IMG_00411_zpscyqwe3pe.jpg.html I currently have them close to saddle height in an 80 cm Nitto Technomic stem (Silver bar-ends again, after trying out old Campy Ergos and finding their triple shifting wanting. Nothing beats the Silver bar-ends for triple shifting). I find myself riding in the drops about 75% of the time. My body core is supported, my posture is a mid-forward lean. I can still ride on the bar centers or corners for casual upright riding, and the flats and lever hoods are comfortable as well. I got frustrated with the moustache bars on rides like RAGBRAI because I felt like I couldn't keep up a faster pace on the moustache bars. This made the long days on the road longer. I average a ~2 mph faster pace with the drop bars compared to the moustache bars. -Tim Gavin Cedar Rapids, IA P.S. If anyone is riding RAGBRAI this year and wants to meet up and/or ride some gravel on day 6, let me know. I'm riding days 5, 6, and 7 this year. We did the whole week last year, and I won't repeat that again unless I have a team and/or houses to stay in along the way. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
Day Dreaming about how I would build up a sam. Thinking about why I want the sam realized it would be for fun long rides. If I'm running errands I'd use my cheaper bikes. Loaded touring I have a bike for that. Are drop bars a safer bet for long distance riding? Don't have much experience with upright bars. Seems like the upright bars limit the options for hand position. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] How are albatross and albastache bars for long distance riding?
Daniel, bars are personal, everyone has there preferences and i cant speak for Albastaches, But I can for Albatross and for me, they are just about the perfect mixed surface touring bar, good for 100 mile days without even thinking about it.Ive tried drops, never could get comfy. This is why I like Albas, they let you sit high and really see around you a bit more. As for hand positions theres a solid 3 or 4 for me, and also I set the bars at saddle height or a little higher and this takes pressure off hands/ wrists and Im not really wanting to move my hands around all the time. I say give them a shot! you might love them or decide theyre not really your thing. Gd luck, -Mike Sent from my iPhone On Jun 15, 2015, at 11:12 AM, Daniel D. dddon...@gmail.com wrote: Day Dreaming about how I would build up a sam. Thinking about why I want the sam realized it would be for fun long rides. If I'm running errands I'd use my cheaper bikes. Loaded touring I have a bike for that. Are drop bars a safer bet for long distance riding? Don't have much experience with upright bars. Seems like the upright bars limit the options for hand position. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
