Bar ends?

phantomx0_1

Who uses they? What are the benifits? Climbing would be assisted i guess? Never used them but was watching the UCI moutain bike world cup on Sky and most of the riders seem to have them fitted.

nicklouse

alternative grip positions.

it is a Marmite thing.

I used them but then my riding changed.

thelonegroover

If you do the sort of riding where you have to have a finger or two on the brake all the time, then I wouldn't bother. Otherwise as above.

.blitz

Still use them on my '96 Proflex with a 580mm flat bar. They just suit the bike like risers don't

MrChuck

Better position for climbing/tanking along on the flats. If you happen to be climbing out of the saddle for extended periods the position is a shedload better than without.

surreyxc

I have them on my bike, personally I find they reduce fatigue by offering different hand positions, also great for long plods and climbing. I tend to spend most of my time using them even on the techy stuff as you only need to roll your hands over to the grips and brakes. there is a lot of very narrow wooded tracks round here and I have never hooked up, but I ride narrow flats.

Agreed they look odd on risers, and if you are a big time jumper they would probably get in the way.

homerjay

i have them on my 94 E3, as it has a fairly short top tube.

i dont/didnt (just sold it) have them on my 05 evo4, as it has a longer top tube.

both frames are 17" and im 5'10". not sure on the top tube lengths though. 560 and 580 perhaps?

2 reason for bar end imo, comfort and power climbing. so they are a must if your bike is short. imo of course.

surreyxc

p.s. I have the small specialized ones, plenty big enough, unless you have shovel hands

Shaggy_Dog

Really ace things to have on a flat bar road bike or superlight XC hardtail, otherwise leave well alone!

PXR5

Used to use them, but after getting them caught in brambles etc down some rather narrow paths we use, resulting in a couple of offs, they are now in the "spares" box.

fattrucker

Shaggy_Dog wrote:

Really ace things to have on a flat bar road bike or superlight XC hardtail, otherwise leave well alone!

LOL

Dunno whether this says more about you or me Shaggy_Dog but I've got them on a 30lb+ 5.5" travel bike WITH . . . .

God forbid RISER bars too :oops: :oops: :oops: Oh the shame

Will I ever live it down ?

Probably not

Do I care what anyone thinks ?

NO ! End of .
Ride what ya like or feels good to you .

diy

I have EC90 carbon bar ends, on EC90 monkey lite and on enduro flat bars. I can get on without them for 80% of my riding, but they help to get my weight forward when climbing those long steep 1:3 climbs and on Enduro rides it helps to have a different hold on the bars to reduce fatigue.

Mainly when riding distance I ride with my hands next to the stem, as I find it helps to keep my knees tucked in which help reduce back ache.

Worth noting that if you ride short bars like me with lockons and poplocks etc, you quickly run out of bar space.

I think Bar ends are something you feel are essential when you first start riding harder climbs and longer distances, then your technique changes and you need them less and less, but there is no shame in using them if you ride big distances or steep climbs.

I wouldn't waste money on expensive ones, a pair of stubby ends is fine just to support your hands

Fudgie

I've got little stubby ones on my HTs and they definitely give better leverage when climbing. They also give an alternative grip position for resting your hands/wrists on longer rides.

But you have to weigh that against the fact that they spoil the lines of the bike IMO. Give them a try, they're not expensive.