The Chainlink

What is the purpose?


What is the purpose of putting risers on a reversible stem? Why not just flip the stem and use flat bars? Also is there any real reason why some people chop their bars so small as to barely fit their hands? I am just curious, it seems to be the hype with the fixie crowd...

-Ali

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Permalink Reply by Sarah on March 31, 2009 at 4:33pm
maybe that rider has really tiny hands?

too chopped bars :: ergonomics
that cable lock :: theft deterrent

the rims are pretty, though.
Permalink Reply by heather s on March 31, 2009 at 4:39pm

Could be worse.
Permalink Reply by Ali on March 31, 2009 at 9:49pm
Do you really think that is a valid excuse?

-Ali

BK said:
So they can more easily fit between the side view mirrors of cars on both sides.
Permalink Reply by Brett Ratner on March 31, 2009 at 10:19pm
The chopped bars make the bike narrower and therefore easier to maneuver through traffic, not to mention easier to carry in and out of buildings, through doorways, up staircases, etc.

You sacrifice a bit of leverage and steering control compared to a wider bar. But since Chicago is flat and built on a grid, this is an acceptable trade off for many.

The riser bar looks nicer than a flat bar in many people's opinion (mine included)...but from a functional standpoint a flat bar would probably work just as well.
Permalink Reply by RodimusPrime on March 31, 2009 at 11:07pm
i always think that people who chop their bars so short just did it on accident. . and don't have any money to get a new bar.
Permalink Reply by vxla on March 31, 2009 at 11:36pm
Ali said:
Do you really think that is a valid excuse?

-Ali
It started with messengers who actually have reason to fit between tight places. Getting a drop caught on a car mirror is no fun. With hand-width bars, you basically can get through any space as wide as your shoulders. For someone who makes a living delivering packages, getting through every hole in traffic does matter.

I didn't realize people needed great leverage to turn their bikes. Personally, I just shift my weight and turn.
Permalink Reply by Ali on April 1, 2009 at 12:47am
I was referring to the bars that one cannot rest their palms on without touching the stem. Well your hips and your legs have to go through the same space too.

Also you need proper leverage to control your turn, it is true that the turning a bike is initiated with the weight shift but one maintains the attitude of the turn using the handlebars...Basically bikes are controlled via countersteering, otherwise there is absolutely nothing stopping you to keep leaning over until tires lose to the inevitable physics of our universe. Having wider handlebars will give you greater leverage which in turn will enable you to make more minute adjustments which in turn result with greater control throughout the turn.

-Ali

vxla said:
Ali said:
Do you really think that is a valid excuse?

-Ali
It started with messengers who actually have reason to fit between tight places. Getting a drop caught on a car mirror is no fun. With hand-width bars, you basically can get through any space as wide as your shoulders. For someone who makes a living delivering packages, getting through every hole in traffic does matter.

I didn't realize people needed great leverage to turn their bikes. Personally, I just shift my weight and turn.
Permalink Reply by o0_dan_0o on April 1, 2009 at 4:55am
heather stratton said:

Could be worse.


THATS HAND POSITION HEAVEN!
Permalink Reply by Jon on April 1, 2009 at 6:58am
Oh my god, I just found my new best friend!!!

Ali said:
I was referring to the bars that one cannot rest their palms on without touching the stem. Well your hips and your legs have to go through the same space too.

Also you need proper leverage to control your turn, it is true that the turning a bike is initiated with the weight shift but one maintains the attitude of the turn using the handlebars...Basically bikes are controlled via countersteering, otherwise there is absolutely nothing stopping you to keep leaning over until tires lose to the inevitable physics of our universe. Having wider handlebars will give you greater leverage which in turn will enable you to make more minute adjustments which in turn result with greater control throughout the turn.

-Ali

vxla said:
Ali said:
Do you really think that is a valid excuse?

-Ali
It started with messengers who actually have reason to fit between tight places. Getting a drop caught on a car mirror is no fun. With hand-width bars, you basically can get through any space as wide as your shoulders. For someone who makes a living delivering packages, getting through every hole in traffic does matter.

I didn't realize people needed great leverage to turn their bikes. Personally, I just shift my weight and turn.
Permalink Reply by Brett Ratner on April 1, 2009 at 7:12am
>>>Did I just read that right.. You sacrafice leverage and control, but it makes it easier to manuver in traffic. Whats manuverability if you dont have leverage and control?
>>>
Ummm...you read the words correctly, but apparently you're not understanding the meaning. Let's try that again, shall we?

On a single track mountain bike trail you need every ounce of leverage and control you can get...leverage is helpful when climbing, for example, and control sure is nice when descending. On flat pavement you don't need nearly as much of either.

It can be an advantage, however, to squeeze between a cab and a bus...thus the narrow bars.

M.A.R.K. said:
Did I just read that right.. You sacrafice leverage and control, but it makes it easier to manuver in traffic. Whats manuverability if you dont have leverage and control?

I always assumed it was just the thing to do to bring a pleasing look to the bike, much like riser bars. And maybe for(easier)barspins and such. Getting it in and out of buildings make sense.
Permalink Reply by Brett Ratner on April 1, 2009 at 7:16am
.
Permalink Reply by RodimusPrime on April 1, 2009 at 7:51am
question. But you couldn't get through any hole your shoulders couldn't get through right? So aren't handlebars narrower than your shoulders just giving yourself less handling?

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