On-One Midge Bars

[Robert Stewart]

Hi all,

Having read about Brian's positive experience with the WTB Mountain Road Bars on his Silvio, I am considering a similar option for mine - the On-One Midge. Here are the dimensions and other details:

Geometry:-
Width at the ends -- 580mm - centre/centre
Width of "flat section" or "tops" - 375mm
Overall drop - 112mm centre/centre
Sweep forward - 64.5mm centre/centre (from centre of bar clamp to centre of tube at the front.
Flare at ends - 113deg
Finish - black anodised with lazer logos.
ID at ends (for bar end shifter users) - 19.8mm
Brake Lever clamp size on main bit of bar - 23.8 (road lever clamp standard)
Stem Bar Clamp size - 25.4mm MTB size (NOT 26.0 road size)

So they are a little narrower than the WTB bars, with a smaller drop. You can read more about these at these locations (useful pictures on the second link):

http://www.on-one.co.uk/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=7
http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/article.asp?UAN=1788&SP=&v=1
http://www.63xc.com/mattc/midge.htm

I might just order a set and give them a try. What does everyone think?
Cheers,
Rob

 

[Robert Stewart]

Well, I got tired of waiting so I ordered one on the assumtion that if the WTB bars fit then so should these. I will report back with my experience with them.
Cheers,
Rob

 

[Brian Lewis]

Using the Center to Center measurements my WTB is 17" (43cm) on top near brake levers and 22.25" (56.5cm) drop center to drop center

 

[Flasharry]

Robert Stewart wrote: Well, I got tired of waiting so I ordered one on the assumtion that if the WTB bars fit then so should these. I will report back with my experience with them.
Cheers,
Rob

Rob, Let me know as soon as they arrive, whether you 'think' they will work, as I am desperate to get some for my softrider V2 (with the option of perhaps carrying them over to a Silvio in future).

They seem to have slightly less drop, a bit more flare and a shorter dropped hand grip length than the WTBs (the shorter dropped hand grip is probably my only concern as I have quite wide hands).

The one UK bike shop I contacted said WTB don't make the 25.4 size any more....

Cheers.
Stuart.

 

[Robert Stewart]

Flasharry wrote:

Robert Stewart wrote: Well, I got tired of waiting so I ordered one on the assumtion that if the WTB bars fit then so should these. I will report back with my experience with them.
Cheers,
Rob

Rob, Let me know as soon as they arrive, whether you 'think' they will work, as I am desperate to get some for my softrider V2 (with the option of perhaps carrying them over to a Silvio in future).

They seem to have slightly less drop, a bit more flare and a shorter dropped hand grip length than the WTBs (the shorter dropped hand grip is probably my only concern as I have quite wide hands).

The one UK bike shop I contacted said WTB don't make the 25.4 size any more....

Cheers.
Stuart.

Hi Stuart. I will do. I think they might arrive tomorrow (if not, then probably the day after). I'll take some pics if I think they'll be useful. I have fairly average sized hands so I think I should be OK with these (in fact I think they will be perfect for me).

I ran into the problem finding the 25.4 WTBs in the UK when I checked on it a few days ago too.
Cheers,
Rob

 

[Robert Stewart]

Well, I got the bars through this morning and took them to my LBS at lunch time (two hours ago). They'll fit them for me to collect at the end of the day tomorrow. I'll take some pics of the finished product then.

I didn't get a chance to weigh the bars, but they felt pretty light to me. Holding them up next to the 46cm Deda bars I have on there at the moment, they didn't seem as wide as I had expected (my hand position won't be much wider than before). However, the reduced reach and drop were both very apparent and very appreciated. There did not seem to be a lot of handspace, but I will have to see what they are like with tape fitted. I will also report on handling and the gear and brake ergonomics. Watch this space...

Cheers,
Rob
p.s. With these in place, I am pretty sure I will be ready to start commuting daily on the Silvio as I had intended to from the start.

 

[Mark B]

Robert Stewart wrote: With these in place, I am pretty sure I will be ready to start commuting daily on the Silvio as I had intended to from the start.

Rob,

Will you be donning that Power Ranger costume for commuting? :lol:

Mark

 

[Flasharry]

Excellent news Rob, I'm very much looking forward to your report on the bars and hopefully, ordering some for myself.

Cheers.
Stuart.

 

[Robert Stewart]

I got the bike back with the bars fitted and initial impressions are good. They look great and fall to hand much better than the conventional bars i was using before. I have taken a few photos and will upload them to my brag board thread when i get the chance (maybe later today, maybe tomorrow). I will also test them out on my commute ride tomorrow and report back with more on the ergonomics.
Cheers,
Rob

 

[Mark B]

Rob,

Mighty Morphin'?

















:lol: :lol: :lol:
Mark

 

[Robert Stewart]

Having ridden with the Midge bars a few more times, I can now declare myself thoroughly satisfied with the choice. They offer improved stability: I am able to turn and look directly backwards now with no major wobble, and I'm getting better one handed. They are certainly better on the Silvio than standard bars from an ergonomic point of view. There is good knee clearance, my hands are comfortable, and changing gears on my campag shifters is easy. I think they might also be helping me on climbs, where I can already say the Silvio is outperforming my old DF bike with a commuter load - not bad after only a few rides, and it's getting better...

I have no doubt the WTB and Origin 8 bars offer similar benefits, but having not tried them I would recommend people (especially in the UK) give these a try. You wont regret it.

The only downsides to these bars are that the bike is now harder to lean against things (the brake levers stick out beyond the end of the bars the way my LBS mounted them) and it is harder to maneuver around the bike in the bike shed. These are minor issues though.

Cheers,
Rob

p.s. No Power Ranger outfit yet, but you never know when it comes to charity rides...

 

[Mark B]

Robert Stewart wrote: Having ridden with the Midge bars a few more times, I can now declare myself thoroughly satisfied with the choice.<snip>
I have no doubt the WTB and Origin 8 bars offer similar benefits, but having not tried them I would recommend people (especially in the UK) give these a try. You wont regret it.

The only downsides to these bars are that the bike is now harder to lean against things (the brake levers stick out beyond the end of the bars the way my LBS mounted them) and it is harder to maneuver around the bike in the bike shed. These are minor issues though.

Those bars look identical to the Origin 8 and I certainly echo your sentiments.

Robert Stewart wrote: p.s. No Power Ranger outfit yet, but you never know when it comes to charity rides...

Well, you need to get that helmet first, or it just won't work! :lol: :lol:

Mark

 

[Robert Stewart]

I was just wondering to myself why the On-one bars get no love in the official Cruzbike documentation. They are missing from Doug's technical summary, and the Silvio components list:

http://www.cruzbike.com/silviocomponents.html

I think they are every bit as good as the Origin 8 or WTB bars, so why don't they get a mention?

Cheers,
Rob

 

[Mark B]

Robert Stewart wrote: I was just wondering to myself why the On-one bars get no love in the official Cruzbike documentation. They are missing from Doug's technical summary, and the Silvio components list:

http://www.cruzbike.com/silviocomponents.html

I think they are every bit as good as the Origin 8 or WTB bars, so why don't they get a mention?

Cheers,
Rob

Maybe because it sounds like the title of a porn movie? :lol: :lol:

Mark

 

[JonB]

Mark B wrote:

Robert Stewart wrote: I was just wondering to myself why the On-one bars get no love in the official Cruzbike documentation. They are missing from Doug's technical summary, and the Silvio components list:

http://www.cruzbike.com/silviocomponents.html

I think they are every bit as good as the Origin 8 or WTB bars, so why don't they get a mention?

Cheers,
Rob

Maybe because it sounds like the title of a porn movie? :lol: :lol:

Mark

or because it sounds like a midget bar?

 

[Mark B]

JonB wrote:

Mark B wrote:

Robert Stewart wrote: I was just wondering to myself why the On-one bars get no love in the official Cruzbike documentation. They are missing from Doug's technical summary, and the Silvio components list:

http://www.cruzbike.com/silviocomponents.html

I think they are every bit as good as the Origin 8 or WTB bars, so why don't they get a mention?

Cheers,
Rob

Maybe because it sounds like the title of a porn movie? :lol: :lol:

Mark

or because it sounds like a midget bar?

Midget Porn!!!!

 

[Hotdog]

There's a comparison of the On-One Midge and the Origin-8 Gary here and here. The overall width is basically the same, but the Midge has a wider top section due to a little less flare of the drops. The Midge is also a fair bit lighter, but costs more.

 

[Mark B]

The price of the Gary is certainly attractive and I've been happy with it..

Mark

 

[Cruzn Trav 1]

I have midge bars on my silvio.
They are awesome.
Good choice.
Very very light, very comfortable