I would go with the real bars (WTB). You will be able to put your hands up in the middle, on the curve part and in the drops. That's at least three positions.
2010-05-07 18:41:29
10
Mountain drop bar ends vs. WTB Mountain drop bars
I want to add a few new hand positions to my hybrid, which currently has straight bars. I'm looking at adding drops without swapping brake/lever components, and I was pointed to these two options.
A. Origin 8 Cycling Drop bar
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013G6PB8/ref=s9_simh_gw_p200_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0JBF2A9S9JKJXQ5JSXAT&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846
B WTB Mountain w/ ergonomic drop
http://www.amazon.com/WTB-Mountain-Drop-clamp-diameter/dp/B001C4QKFC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1273256644&sr=8-1#productPromotions
I can get both for $20 bucks, so I'm kind of stuck on which I should go for. The drops on the Origin 8 ends is much smaller than a traditional drop, but the drops on the WTB are flared, which is one of the complaints that Dirt Rag had about the bar.
Any ideas to sway one way or the other?
2010-05-07 18:32:09
I would also go with WTB for the same reason as above and because I had some very similar bars a while back and loved them. I used them on a cyclocross bike for commuting, and I actually didn't mind the shallow, flared drop.
2010-05-07 18:56:09
"Dirt drop" bars as they're known are finicky to setup, and honestly I know very few people who have stuck with them after giving them a go. I do know lots of people that have spent lots of time trying to make them work for their bike though.
I'm one of those people and have a set of the Origin 8 ones here that I've never been able to get just right. I'd guess that some of the most experienced people around with them are Justin and Eric (posts here) at Dirt Rag. Those two can probably help you out with the differences between them for your use if you drop them an email, or wait for Eric to get back from the Crush the Commonwealth.
2010-05-07 20:30:04
That was just the sort of input I wanted, went with the WTBs, thanks guys.
2010-05-07 21:31:14
Rob,
I'll write more on drops later, but if you want to reuse your components from a flat bar, the WTBs will NOT work. They take road levers.
2010-05-07 23:15:46
They take road levers - if you're putting them in the drops. I'm keeping mine in the same position they would be on a straight bar. This is more to avoid touring hand fatigue from having limited hand positions than it is to be doing streets while in the drops.
2010-05-08 00:30:25
maybe i misunderstood that but i think he's referring to clamp diameter... i'm sure the info is around if you want to doublecheck my misunderstanding
2010-05-08 01:13:08
The WTB bar is the road standard diameter of 23.8. Your 22.2 diameter clams won't fit.
Rivendell sets up some bikes with levers and shifters on the tops, but both at with 23.8 clamps.
I'd recommend bar ends or a full swap to a set of road bars with inexpensive road levers and bar-end shifters.
2010-05-08 01:23:46
I can machine new clamps at work if I have to, so its no big deal.
2010-05-08 01:51:35