 |
| http://www.stanford.edu/~dru/moustache.html |
In building up my ATB touring bike, I knew I wanted to try mustache bars. A lot of people love them and praise the fact that you can get multiple hand positions which is ideal for long rides.
Here, I thought I'd try to help you de-mystify some of the quirks about picking the best mustache bar not only for cyclocross riding but for any kind of bike.
These are the mustache bars I have found that are currently available (ranked by price low to high):
Nashbar Mustache bar
Price: $13
Colors: Chrome
Stem Clamp: 25.4
Brake lever clamp size: 24.0
Weight: 666 grams
Material: Steel
Bar end shift compatible? Yes
Note: Some reviews mention that they rusted easily
Link: Nashbar
Origin8 Tiki
Price: $20
Colors: Silver and black
Stem Clamp: 26.0
Brake lever clamp size: 23.8 (for road brakes)
Weight: 330 grams
Material: Aluminum
Bar end shift compatible? Yes
Note: there's a sticker on the package that says "Not for offroad use. Street use only" So, no good for cyclocross.
Link: Amazon
Dimension Double Bend
Colors: Silver and Black
Stem Clamp: 25.4
Brake lever clamp size: 23.8 mm (road brake size)
Weight: 346 grams
Material: Aluminum
Bar end shift compatible? No (though one review on JensonUSA says it does work with barcons)
Note: Since this bar is 23.8 it will not accept mountain shifters and since it doesn't accept bar end shifters, it seems it is only for single speeds or fixed gear bikes.
Link: Niagara Cycles
SOMA 3 speed bar
Price: $37
Colors: Silver
Stem Clamp: 25.4
Brake lever clamp size: 23.8 (for road brakes)
Weight: 320 grams
Material: Aluminum
Bar end shift compatible? Yes
Link: SOMA website
SOMA 3 speed bar II
Price: $37
Colors: Silver
Stem Clamp: 25.4
Brake lever clamp size: 22.2
Weight: 320 grams
Material: Aluminum
Bar end shift compatible? No
Note: uses mountain bike brakes and shifters
Link: SOMA website
Sparrow Moustache Bar
Colors: Silver and black
Stem Clamp: 25.4
Brake lever clamp size: 22.2 (mountain style brakes)
Weight: unknown
Material: Aluminum
Bar end shift compatible? No
Link: Universal Cycles
Nitto Moustache
Price: $80
Colors: Silver
Stem Clamp: 25.4 and 26.0
Brake lever clamp size: 23.8
Weight: unknown
Material: Aluminum
Bar end shift compatible? Yes
Link: Harris Cyclery
Personally, I'm choosing the SOMA that accepts bar end shifters. Seems like a good price, 25.4 stems are easier to find than 26.0 versions and it accepts barcons.
Let me explain the comment above about 26.0 stems that I made above. Sheldon Brown (RIP) said that moustache bars typically require a shorter stem with more height. Finding a stem like this in 25.4 is pretty easy. Something like this Kalloy (which even comes in a version that has a built in front brake cable stop):
Price: $15.50
Comes in silver and black
Link: Jenson USA
Lastly, what brake levers to use? For the bars above that have 24mm grip area, you can use regular road brake levers. But another option to save a little cash (you can get Tektro drop bar levers for about the same price but they are 180 grams heavier) and a little weight is to use a set of cyclocross levers:
Tektro RL720
Price: $20
Size: 24.0 mm
Link: Niagara
More info on the moustache bar: link
Did I miss any? Anyone have experience they want to share? I will continue to update this page as I find new models.
No comments:
Post a Comment