Where should my hoods be? This position feels most comfortable. The other is how the bike was when i got it.
by West-Amphibian-2343
Where should my hoods be? This position feels most comfortable. The other is how the bike was when i got it.
by West-Amphibian-2343
14 Comments
Most comfortable is your answer.
The way yu have it looks like it’s more comfortable. You can probably even angle them inwards slightly.
These are the longest reach bars I have ever seen
This bar is not designed to be set up in the way you are hoping to set it up
https://preview.redd.it/ivdg7aavpadh1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=52326d3b31d0feeeceff60eb8ef3c1487fd1e57c
it kinda looks like you’re trying to get the modern flat hoods position on *vintage* bars. they’re shaped differently.
first pic is probably the right hood position, but the bars should likely be rotated down. the drops are basically unusable at that angle.
Whatever’s comfy! As long as it’s on your bike and not under the tire of your Land Cruiser!
This is a very old school bar with a long (very long) reach, big drop and sloping section to the hoods. You’ve set it up in a way to minimize some of this, but this is not how this bar was designed to be set up. If you plan on riding a lot consider a newer, more compact bar. Aluminum bars are inexpensive. Just remember to get the right stem clamp size.
The place to usually start is to have the bottom of the handlebars, parallel to the ground like you have now. Then the top of the hood would also be parallel to the ground, so the levers need to be moved to the Apex of the bend, so the top of the hoods are parallel to the ground also. When you have your hands on the top of the brake levers your wrist should be in a fairly straight line from your lower arm. All that being said, the most important thing is comfort around the position of your hand in relationship to your arms and your body position on the bars. That’s gonna take time and a lot of tweaking.
Put it where it’s most comfortable. You’re making the bike for you.
If that feels the most comfortable then THAT’S where they should be. It’s YOUR bike. Make it fit you
Then your setup is wrong you. Your stem, reach, and seat position combo is too long.
If you like the bars shape the easiest solution would be to get some basic compact levers from Tektro or whoever, with a more modern (usually campy style) hood shape. Something like the newer TRP levers will maximize the hand position but might make the reach too aggressive.
If you never use the drops the first position is fine, but those bars have such wild reach that going to compact/modern bars would make the whole bike feel way more manageable.
To be honest, this bar – levers combo will always be a struggle. Original setup was horrible, what you did makes more sense. Though I’d change the levers, bars are not the worst type, but still far from comfortable bend.