I read something earlier on that implied that handlebar choice might, in part be a good indication of a riders attitude ... the more I think about it and think about various people I know, I reckon there might be a bit of something in it

Yay, nay or a load of rubbish ... everyone knows bars are chosen on the basis of what CRC have on offer!

It should depend on the purpose/geometry of the bike but from thinking about people I know there is a definite 'fashion' element which could the give an indicator towards peoples attitudes.

An example would be bar ends are 'uncool' however I ride bar ends because I don't care and want multiple hand positions. This is definitely a reflection of my attitude to life in general where I tend to put function over form for the most part even if that isn't in keeping with the latest trend.

Hmmm, I've got drop bars, flat bars, cut down flat bars and shallow rise bars, trying to what out what it says about me?!

There's definitely some truth in this, although it's obviously a generalisation.

The same thing applies to suspension travel. People buy longer forks because they want to be the sort of rider who 'goes large' even if they're not.

Fashion plays its part too. I've got used to riding wider bars in the last few years and 680mm now feels weird to me. Can't say the extra width has revolutionised my riding but it now feels normal.

On one Mary Bars here.
Referred to by some as wendy bars.

ctznsmith wrote: An example would be bar ends are 'uncool' however I ride bar ends because I don't care and want multiple hand positions..

Last time I checked, you can only have bar ends with flat bars. Riser bars should not have bar ends.

Is that on the velomanti rules thing?

ctznsmith wrote:It should .... I tend to put function over form for the most part even if that isn't in keeping with the latest trend.

Im with ctzsmith on this one. I like to move my hands around so my preference is for some Jones Loops
Also gives more space to attaching things to (Lights/GPS/... etc)

One of the kids I coach turned up with a set of bars that were easily 760mm wide last weekend. He's only 11 and was doing a fairly good impression of Christ on the cross, his arms were so stretched out. He swore blind they were giving him more control (they weren't) and, anyway, they looked awsome.

One of the kids I coach turned up with a set of bars that were easily 760mm wide last weekend. He's only 11 and was doing a fairly good impression of Christ on the cross, his arms were so stretched out. He swore blind they were giving him more control (they weren't) and, anyway, they looked awsome.

Had a very similar experience at a DH race some years ago. Bars were starting to get pretty wide (760mm>) on the elite DH circuit. A young lad turned up at a Welsh championship event sporting something around 800mm. I questioned him and his motives and he told me they were fine because Nathan Rennie used them ... he couldn't understand that Mr Rennie is 6'3" not 5'3"

He's only 11 and was doing a fairly good impression of Christ on the cross

Gave me such a good laugh that line.

I'm thinking of new bars now that I see how easy it is to change. They're sort of like shoes, seems like there's never enough.

I got some gold marys on offer the other day loving the sweep maybe its a precursor to jones loops

I got some of the Gold midges for my Roadrat. Hideous colour but they were cheap, and I plan to tape 'em end to end! Only had a quick trolley around the car park but they felt pretty comfortable. I bought them as a test run to getting some woodchoppers but I may keep them for the summer to see how I like them.
Jones bars are pretty compelling, for me anyhow, and the Marys do a pretty good job of imitating the sweep etc, could maybe be a little wider. I have a set on the pugs and the plan was to get some loops for it, and the 29er, but the Marys are proving comfortable enough for me to struggle to justify replacing them, and the Titecs on the 29er much the same. Very unlike me to be so sensible

What does this mean of my new setup?

What does this mean of my new setup?

Its erm, experimental

I used to have a set of these on my '92 Scott Montana. They were vaguely exciting for sprinting up hills. Looks like they could be popular again!

What does this mean of my new setup?

That you have odd shaped arms? : )

Scott AT4s were great. So many endurance riders using aerobars now that I wonder if there's any market for something like that again. Not for me.. I did have a set on my Marin in the early 90s tho. Helped with those mates-race 10 mile TTs on slicks if you couldn't afford a road bike but didn't do a lot for off-roading!

Managed to get my hands on the new On One OG Carbon bar today. It's just like the Carnegie which, given the designer, will come as no surprise. Don't all rush at once as they're not available for a month or so. Also available in aluminium for not much money. Don't hassle O-O as they have enough to deal with at the moment.