Perfect handlebar for a V20

[Alain]

Since four or five months I'm owner of a V20. I started with the stock handlebar, which eases to learn to handle a Cruzbike (its my first MBB). But I didn't really like that handlebar, I didn't feel comfortable with the hand angle and it was not aero enough. I switched to a 400 mm Zipp course service 80 handlebar. Width and hand angle felt good, but I couldn't stretch my arms into an aero position, so I looked for a bar with a bigger reach and switched to a Bontrager XXX light handlebar. The reach was increased by 20 mm to 100 mm and the weight was reduced, but there bar suffered a lack of stiffness when pulling hard in a "upright" position going uphill, and the reach was still not enough. Currently I ended with a Cinelli Pista track handlebar with 400 mm width and~150 mm reach in the position it is assembled in the Cruzbike. First tests seems promising, and I love the design of this handlebar. Unfortunately it's not the lightest.
What handlebars are you riding on your V20 and what are your experiences? @Larry, you have also ridden the bike with tiller. Did you experience a power loss with it? Was it worth the aerodynamic gain?

 

[Mathew Fy]

Did you read any of these, yet?
[URL]https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/best-handlebar.12134/
https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/bullhorn-and-dropbar-options.7014/page-12[/URL]

 

[jond]

Nice work Mathew. Yes read bullhorn and drop bar options etc. personally as a slim person I went for 46cm cowchipper 2 and some bullhorn

 

[Andrew Wilson]

I installed the On-One Midge and like it fine but it's 'drop' isnt enough for my hands so I might go with the cowchipper at some point.
I would like to cut the ends and rotate the bar around to get the brifters down and have more of a road bike attitude to the bars if that makes sense.

 

[Andrew Wilson]

I scored a set of Gary 31.8 bars and installed. While I liked the Midge bars, the Garys are much better for larger hands and a little narrower.
They are a keeper.

 

[Winded Lowrider]

Bar options for the V20. I'd love to see other drop bar choices folks have made. I'm on the fence about the stock bars. Not bad, but I see room for improvement

Origin 8 has Gary, Gary 2, Gary Ergo sweep, Gary Sweep OS , Everland Race
Velo orange far bar?
Salsa Wood Chipper, Cow Chipper?

I like the look of the Salsa Cow Chipper, I'm looking for less up, more out, brake hoods angled in, better contact patch for my palms in the drops position
I currently have my bars angled down much as possible. I see folks with bars angled up as far a possible. I've seen the drops cut off. I've seen bullhorn TT bars ( that doesn't interest me). Handlebars are probably the most idiosyncratic choice made by cyclists. I just have to laugh at the Upside-down drop bar folks. I guess its all about fit and comfort.

 

[Bentas]

I'm testing Deda 44cm bullhorns , I have dropped the seat angle another 8 degrees since this pic,
Arms are nearly straight now and almost horizontal with the ground, I seem to be able to keep a much straighter line with these bars.
First experience with bar end shifters , love em!

 

[bladderhead]

It is not just Vendettas. On my Silvio I tried loads of configurations and even cut the boom. The original bars have a really tight curve in the drops. Too small for my hands. I never had a problem with the Grasshopper's bars.

Cruzbike riders pull the bars, like DF riders.

 

[castlerobber]

I just have to laugh at the Upside-down drop bar folks. I guess its all about fit and comfort.

Yeah, I agree it's funny-looking. But I have a good solid place to grip, a comfortable hand and wrist position, the ends of the bars don't interfere with my thighs, I have bar-end mirrors where I can see them easily without looking down. Upside-down shifting is a non-issue; for me, it's an improvement to be able to shift the front derailleur with my dominant hand.

The ones I laugh at are the guys around here with Walmart "road bikes" who turn their handlebars upside down with the drops on top, horizontal, to get a more upright seating position. They could have just bought a hybrid- or cruiser-style bike, and it would have been cheaper.

 

[3bs]

i cut the ends down on my stock bars and rotated them a bit. i have found that i really dont move my hand position around much on the v.
i am still not sure i have the ultimate hand position, and i still want to try a xl thor seat, but certainly the current setup is fine.

 

[super slim]

https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/bullhorn-and-dropbar-options.7014/page-12
here is the link for a forum 12 pages long on handle bars!!!!!
All different types of bars!!!!

 

[Winded Lowrider]

Super slim: Thanks But that's really old news, I'm looking for more current options . Bullhorns work for some folks I guess.
Castle robber: Yeah I was referring to that low budget uninformed crowd, not you.
"Walmart "road bikes" who turn their handlebars upside down with the drops on top, horizontal, to get a more upright seating position."
Diverting this thread a bit....I also have to laugh at backwards helmet folks I see on the MUP.

 

[chicorider]

My favorite handlebar is the Genetic Digest Flared Drop Bar (funny name, but I like the fit). You can find pics with a Google search. Here's a pic of it on my S30. I like the slight bend at the end of the drop, which gives my wrist a place to rest or added stability. I have these on my V20, S30, and S40.

 

[Winded Lowrider]

WOW those look very cool! I like how you have positioned the near vertical drop section. How much do they flare out?

Never ever heard of that brand/model

 

[chicorider]

Here's a technical drawing for the Genetic Digest bars. I know it says Satori, but the numbers are the same. Probably the same manufacturer. I use the 440 width (they also come in 480).

 

[Bentas]

Would I be correct in presuming your a fellow shorter rider? Looking at you bike set up.

 

[castlerobber]

Castle robber: Yeah I was referring to that low budget uninformed crowd, not you.

We'll go with that. LOL. I get so many funny looks for the bike itself, that most folks don't even realize they're looking at disoriented drop bars.

"Walmart "road bikes" who turn their handlebars upside down with the drops on top, horizontal, to get a more upright seating position."

You even found one with "safety" brakes!

I also have to laugh at backwards helmet folks I see on the MUP.

New one on me.

I still wonder who came up with this idea of putting twist shifters on a drop handlebar (GMC Denali, $150-ish USD).

 

[chicorider]

Hi Bentas,

Yup. I'm 5'4" on a good day. It took a bit of doing to get proper fit, but with the short chain stay and curved slider I got there.

 

[super slim]

My favorite handlebar is the Genetic Digest Flared Drop Bar (funny name, but I like the fit). You can find pics with a Google search. Here's a pic of it on my S30. I like the slight bend at the end of the drop, which gives my wrist a place to rest or added stability. I have these on my V20, S30, and S40.View attachment 8959

A very neat bike setup!
Do you have an upside down slide on rear rack pack under the frame?

 

[chicorider]

Yes. It's from a Topeak Beam rack (the slider minus the beam). The corresponding bag is just big enough to allow me to commute to work, but the rack is minimal enough that when I go for a real ride it's almost like it's not there. I have one underneath my V as well.