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“Just get the right-length handlebar,” they’ll say. But what if the right-length bar doesn’t come in the right shape? Or it’s not the right vintage? Or you just really like the bar you have? That’s why handlebar extenders exist. Problem is, none seem to be designed for aggressive riding. Except for the ones Travis found from a small fabricator tucked away in a vintage BMX forum.
Previously announced in the Range aluminum handlebar, now the Loam Carbon handlebar ($164) from PNW Components comes in a 50 mm rise, solving some of the issues with lower stack bikes and perhaps a new trend in higher-rise bars Travis hit on last week. The Loam bars are engineered with top-shelf carbon, feature an anti-fatigue geometry, and are made with PNW’s patent-pending CBD Layup, bringing unparalleled chatter-absorbing comfort. Resulting in a light and nimble ride.
See more at PNW Components.
We’re sharing this news because every time a pair of Rons Ortho Back Bars pops up on our Rad Bazaar, they’re gone in an instant. Crust Bikes just got a shipment of the silver or black upright handlebars, and like previous stocks, they won’t last. So, if you’re tired of being hunched over a 1990s racing MTB, it’s time for Ortho Back Bars.
Our review of the Raised Reversed stem will not be a normal review. Normal reviews rarely have to overcome such a mountain of very hasty (but very reasonable) skepticism around their products. And those products are rarely so intimately connected with their designer.
Travis brought some of that skepticism to this review, but he also spent a lot of time with that designer. And the experience fundamentally changed the way he thinks about bikes. Needless to say, that’s more than we can put into a review, even if it isn’t a normal one. If you’ve still got questions after reading it, please drop them in the comments.
Ergonomics company SQlab just announced its all new 314 gravel handlebar today, with 25 mm of rise built-in…
Blue Lug is probably one of the only online shops (let’s face it, they’re shaping a lot of the bike culture in Tokyo too) that can make a handlebar with Nitto and immediately sell out of them. Not unlike a limited Nike drop or an ultra-limited vinyl pressing. The Nitto Jam Bar ($57) is a case in point. Super affordable, comfy, and strong…
The PNW Components Range Bar is wildly popular due to its comfort and affordability. The brand just announced the all-new Gen 4 Range Bar, built with ergonomics and comfort at the forefront. For those looking for more stack height, PNW added a 50 mm riser bar to the mix, along with the 25 mm and 38 mm rise options. This 4th generation rendition of the Range Bar offers a 70mm stem clamp width and comes in 31.8⌀ or 35⌀ mm diameters.
See more at PNW Components.
After riding the PNW Components Coast handlebar for almost a year, John’s got a lot of praise for them, along with a few notes. Let’s check out this short-reach drop-bar below…
Our friends at Sklar Bikes have some exciting news today: the steel “Tall Tale” 29er hardtail mountain bike and the new aluminum handlebar called the “PBJ Bar” are available and shipping now! Let’s look at the details of both below…
Tumbleweed’s Big Dipper and Pursuader handlebars ($125) are now offered in a high polished finish – the polished Persuader bars were sneak-peeked in our Off-Course Bike Shop Visit and come in the 20º and 30º (our fav) back sweep. For those wanting to find a modern, wide handlebars for an all-silver build, these do the trick. Check out our reviews of these bars in the Related archives below.
See more at Tumbleweed Bikes.
Welp, that didn’t take long. Just a couple days ago, Travis shared his first impressions of Forge+Bond’s prototype handlebar, but we didn’t know what it would cost. And we didn’t know when—or if—it would come to market. That may not seem like a normal way to announce a product, but this isn’t a normal product.
Forge+Bond is probably doing a bunch of ongoing experiments with Fusion Fiber, their signature thermoplastic carbon material (see our first post about Forge+Bond for more details). The handlebars probably happened to be far enough along that they wanted to see what people thought. And maybe they saw a big uptick in traffic from the handful of reviews and handful of teasers that have been circulating. So, they picked a date and a price. The date is today, and the price is $265.
We’ve ridden a handful of Fusion Fiber wheels, and we always wonder when this unique approach to carbon fiber might make the leap to other components. Well, we can keep on wondering, but the prototype handlebar that Forge+Bond sent to Travis last month has us thinking about the future.
Titanium handlebars and titanium seatposts are two great ways to soften the ride quality of your bike without going to suspension components. Crust Bikes pinged longtime buddy Darren Larkin to bend up some mighty fine titanium bars in the same spec as the Juan Bar. We recommend pairing 22.2⌀ clamp bars with a 22.2⌀ Paul Boxcar stem!
Specs:
Check out more at Crust Bikes.
The Columbus Trittico line includes handlebars, stems, seatposts, forks, and bottle cages. These components are designed blend seamlessly with a variety of frame materials. Let’s check them out.
The newest VentureMax model is the latest gravel bar by Ritchey to get the SuperLogic treatment, resulting in the SuperLogic VentureMax bar. Superlogic means lighter, more integrated, and faster feeling overall compared to the aluminum VentureMax. Let’s take a look!
Just when you think handlebars can’t get any weirder, Redshift Sports drops the Top Shelf. But after riding them for a week, Travis found they actually felt pretty normal. Whether that’s a good thing is up to you.
As one of the innovators of mountain bike handlebars, Ritchey knows a thing or two about designing them for modern riders. Let’s take a look at the new Comp Buzzard ($49.95) below…
Ride FARR just announced its first new product in some time; 60 mm and 120 mm Bolt-On Extenders for various cockpit configuations. Let’s check them out in detail below…
