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Bar ends - your experience


Uni

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Posted

I had bar ends on my previous bike and didn't have any problems with them... until the day I hooked them on a branch and nearly went into orbit.

 

Recovered and thinking that it was maybe more rider error than anything else, continued with them until one faithful morning I hooked them.... wait for it.... in the fence on a single track doing Groenkloof.

 

Haven't used them since and imo one of the better decisions I have made.

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Posted

Numb hands are generally caused by trapping/pinching the ulnar nerve. Generally, if you lean to heavily on your hands, numbness sets in on longer rides. 

 

Give bar-ends a skip and look at getting gloves with padding that protects the ulnar nerve point and/or a handlebar with more backsweep, so that you can straighten your back and take some weight off of your hands.

Posted

Get a set of ESI grips and ditch the bar ends.

You can still ride you bike on flats with your hands in a fist on the end of the bar as if a bar end was there.

Posted

From reading all the replies it is very clear that before you put bar-ends on your bike ,  first learn how to ride a bike !! Been riding with bar-ends for more than 10 years on as many different bikes , even had them on risers until the fashion police got hold of me !! . 

Posted

I use quite small bar ends on my Trance, however they are a PITA if you are riding narrow tracks with trees and bushes etc on either side, you really need to be on your guard. Be careful riding close to other riders as well with the bar ends as they can hook into someone elses bars!

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Posted

I used to ride with bar ends when i started out for about a year. I took them off so i could move hands outwards more. Shortly after that my dad went over the the bars due to a hooked bar end. On the new build I added wider handlebar without bar ends to start with intention of adding if i felt like it. I am finding i breath easier and hand placement is no longer a problem. I considering your looking at budget solutions, I would start with checking the bike fit then gloves/grips. After that I would recommend taking leap and buying wider bars before adding bar ends. 

Posted

I really enjoy my bar ends. They provide alternative places for the hands especially on climbing. Decent grips are a plus.

I use them with short bars so even with the bar ends the overall width is less than 600mm.(A preference from countless years of road riding with 42cm bars no doubt) This does make for a busy cockpit, especially with light and hooter, as seen here on my Congolese bike this morning after my ride.

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Posted

If it work for you go with it, can be a bit tricky on tight single track

A lot less tricky than a set of 700mm bars.... (as opposed to 580mm) :)

Posted

I did not fit a set on my new bike, and i dont really miss them - even when climbing.

Had one or two incidents with some branches/trees with my old bike - the one notable one was at red barn where i was blissfully cycling along the one moment, and the next i was in a yoga position no man should be seen doing..

 

It sure does make the ride more comfortable when starting out on those long slogs.

Posted

I'll have to pay a visit to the sheriff out seems get his feedback as to whether it will work on my bike. I'm Not doing any hectic narly stuff so the catching on stuff will be a user error on my part I think.

 

I know the numb hands are also as a result of the death grip I use especially on descends :(

 

Thanks ppl

Posted

From reading all the replies it is very clear that before you put bar-ends on your bike ,  first learn how to ride a bike !! Been riding with bar-ends for more than 10 years on as many different bikes , even had them on risers until the fashion police got hold of me !! . 

 

Work in progress, Dude. Work in progress.

Posted

I have the small KCNC ones. They are strong and light and make for good change of hand position and great for climbing - head down, gear up aaaaand go

 

Trees pfft

Posted

used to use bar ends when I used to get hand cramps, was great for stretching. Don't get hand cramps any more though, so have taken them off. Think I might still have em lying around if you want em.

Posted

depends on your handle bar width.  I used to run a narrow bar with bar ends which was okay.  I now have a wide bar and I can definitely see that with wider bars you are bound to come short some day due to clipping a branch

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