Using lock-ons to make the bars wider

.blitz

Just wondered what you thought about running lock-on grips slightly outboard of the bars to get a feel of what wider bars would be like?

Obv not a huge amount maybe 10mm or so but enough to leave grips secured by just one lock ring :?

nicklouse

its your face.

Anonymous

.blitz wrote:

Just wondered what you thought about running lock-on grips slightly outboard of the bars to get a feel of what wider bars would be like?

I don't think about it, but I think you're an idiot for thinking it.

cee

no.

seriously....

just loosen the outboard lockrings and see how easily the grips move.

no.

MountainMonster

Most definitely not!

Big no-no!

andy46

i wouldn't like to try it :?

kaytronika

Just get yourself an old brush a la Trigger from fools and horses... Lop it in half and stick each half in the end of your bars... Optionally, keep the brush head on the end to tidy as you go.

CraigXXL

Do it but make sure someone gets it on video so we can have a laugh.

bennett_346

Erm, ive been doing this for 3 months now without and problems. Doesn't even flex. The lock ons i have only have inner lockrings anyway.

angry_bird

I think it's a stupid idea personally, it would be nice if there was nothing that could possibly go wrong, but as it is, it's a bit stupid

I'm tempted to try it now for some reason, although I don't think I will :roll:

Anonymous

You trust a flimsy bit of plastic tubing to support your weight when riding over rocks, roots and drops? What the hell do you use as a handlebar, a piece of hosepipe?

angry_bird

yeehaamcgee wrote:

You trust a flimsy bit of plastic tubing to support your weight when riding over rocks, roots and drops? What the hell do you use as a handlebar, a piece of hosepipe[?/b]

Don't go giving him ideas

heez29

Actually on one of the pro DH'rs has this set up on his rig, remember it on one of the Dirt bike set-ups from Fort Bill last year.

I seem to recall Cam Cole does it but I aint sure.

Anonymous

Now there's absolutely NO WAY a piece of plastic tubing would whithstand the impacts encountered in a DH race. If you think it could, I'm curious, why do you thin kwe even have metal handlebars?

cooldad

Grips?
Real men just grip the steel.

Anonymous

I'll grip your steel in a minute.

Atz

There are bar extenders you can get.

Also, why would a pro use some sort of shoddy crap like that when they get their kit for free? Surely they'd say, I'd like some of those bars, just bigger so the team would get them wider bars.

To the OP, it's your face, but in the same way I don't buy used bars for offroad, I wouldn't do what you're planning. Post again when you're back from the cosmetic dentist.

Anonymous

The bar extenders aren't reccomended for rough riding either.

Atz

I wouldn't use them. Just saying they exist and are probably better than just hanging your grips off the end of the bars.

bennett_346

I only have them 1cm overhanging on each grip, and i only weight 10 stone lol. I use them on some pretty rough stuff, just today i did an unexpected 5 foot drop to flat at 25mph and i didnt even feel them flex. So far so good. If i snap them and mash my face on a rock i shall let you know.

Who said mountain biking was meant to be safe anyway?

Atz

It's about managing the risk. If you want pointless risk taking, how about slackening your stem off a bit or maybe saw half way through your cranks?

If I want wider bars I'll buy them rather than risk smashing my teeth out

bennett_346

im sure doing either one of those is much worse than moving your grips 1cm off the bars

bellys

before you try read this its a mate from the club im in and this was not nice to watch

Finally, out with a couple of mates in Wales, 4th day away on the bike at Nant Y Arian, dropping down a fairly innocuous but fast and steep rocky downhill section, my handlebar grip came away from the bar (wet weather), bike went left, i went straight on, landed on my head, helmet did a good job but still ended up concussed and with whiplash and seeing flashing lights, plenty of cuts and bruises on my shoulder, chest and knee and very very shattered ego! finished the last 12 miles (very tentatively!), drove2hrs back to manchester and called into Hope Hospital, immediately put on a rigid board, collar on, head fastened in blocks and rushed into Xray for head, neck and back, all fine but feeling a little foolish! Still beat the 4hour wait in A&E!

Morale of the story...get locked on grips...and a new helmet! (not take up knitting as the missus hoped!).
Anyway, apparently these things happen in threes according to a mate from liverpool (trustworthy source!) as soon as I can move my shoulder I will be out for a ride! Hope to see you all soon.
Iain

bennett_346

Sorry to hear about your mate. We are discussing using lock on grips already however.

bellys

but your talking about only locking one end and having the grip off the end of your bars buy a cpl off MM. iv had lock rings come loose before so i would not try it....im not saying dont do it as thats up to you just sharing the info with you before you do try.

sheepsteeth

for ages i was running specializd grips which only have one lock ring on them as standard, they never rotted or twisted or misbehave din any way.

however, i wouldnt run them extended beyond the end of my bars as they would surely end up breaking, real bad, big sticks, no messtins, sideways.

cavegiant

Have been doing this for years.

Ergon GP1 grips, only about 5mm out.

.blitz

hmm...interesting replies (well, some of them anyway)

FWIW I tried it last night around Cannock and it works OK. I wouldn't want to ride like that permanently but it gave me an idea of what an extra 20-25 mm on the bars feels like.