On you're ECR/ Krampus etc..

Currently running Renthals on my Krampus, but keen to try something a bit more, er, relaxed?

Any views before I drop a stupid amount on a set of Jones Bars I may hate?

On-one OG carbons, my perfect bars so far!

Sorry but it's Jones H bars on my 29er+
Loop bars would also be good because of the Wildcat bag that fits in the hole.
Ask Shona for deal

Plus if you don't like then you'll be fighting buyer off selling them 2nd hand nut nearly new, so there isn't that much too lose

Jones all the way. I'd have them on every bike I have if I could afford them .... got them on the Jones and the Stooge. Prefer the Loops as I can mount a light upside down right at the front of the bike.

Cheers all!
So, how much longer stem do you need?

Depends on your arm length.

Take your bike when you buy them and a set of allen keys

Teetosugars wrote:Cheers all!
So, how much longer stem do you need?

Assuming you're not using something super short already, probably the same length - http://blog.jonesbikes.com/h-bars-and-stem-length/

I didn't change stem length on either bike. I eventually reduced it on one. 710 Loops on El Mar and Spearfish. Normal and carbon. Like em a lot.

So, how much longer stem do you need?

Depends on the bike and also how you use the loops as much as the bar /stem you hae now, I'd say. There's 100mm or so of fore-aft range on a loop bar so I found the place I like to hold onto for cruising with climbing and descending in mind (ie the mid, fore and aft positions) then chose a stem that put the bar in the right place for that, ie foir handling and my position. Generally 70-100mm seems to work.
The new 710 loops are a bit odd imo, there's a lot more rearward room, more than I can use since being able to use the brake lever limits my positions there, and if that longer rearward bit is in the right place to be fully useable the centre is then a bit out for me. I prefer the original 660mm(?) width and find that there's no need for more width/leverage when using this bar shape, but that probably depends on the bikes handling and personal preference etc. And you can just cut the 710s down anyway : )
All in all, worth some experimentation with cheap stems, in the end I found them to be the most comfy and handling-able bars for loaded or rigid MTBs by a long way.

Currently running a 70mm on my medium Krampus, which as far as reach goes, it's pretty much Spotty Dog.

Thanks again all, now just to find where to get bars from!

Thanks again all, now just to find where to get bars from!

Try Shona and Rich at Keep Pedalling or CTBM.

I've not tried the loops on my krampus yet. I'll get round to it eventually as theyre an expensive bar to be sat doing nothing.

I did use them on the el mar for a while and went to a 10mm longer stem in the end.

I don't bother changing stem length when I fit the Loops. I've overlaid my normal bars on them and my hands are in the same place - just a slightly different angle.

ScotRoutes wrote:I don't bother changing stem length when I fit the Loops. I've overlaid my normal bars on them and my hands are in the same place - just a slightly different angle.

More or less the same as me then.

just put some of my loops on my fargo. those odd dropped things are a waste on me. I hate having to bend my back when doing anything strenuous.

Mine arent in use if you want a loan for a couple of weeks. Planning on re assembling the salsa with them in about 2 weeks time (busy times in the FLV household just now.)

Loop bars on my Stache. Very stable platform for dry bags, much fewer upper body aches. Just wish they weren't so heavy / carbon ones so expensive.

On one Mary bars for me. Waiting for someone to sell a set of Jones Loop bars at a bargain price. Don't all rush at once.

Farawayvisions wrote:On one Mary bars for me. Waiting for someone to sell a set of Jones Loop bars at a bargain price. Don't all rush at once.

Yeah like any of us with Loop bars are going to be willing to sell them ;-)

I've used Jones 660mm loops on my el mariachi and like them, good for long day comfort as i seem to get less shoulded ache. However i'm trying some Black Sheep Moustache bars at the moment and i really like them. Not quite as extreme as the loops. More 35° then 45 but comfy.

Are folk using Loops with suspension forks? Seems every bike I've ever seen them fitted to was rigid

I was until recently. They are great. Not just for long distance - I like them for techy stuff too.

I got convinced that they are worth the money, so I dropped a scary amount of money on a carbon set at 710 wide and used with rigid carbon forks and a 2.4 ardent it is the most comfortable ride only real ruff stuff rattles the hands!

ScotRoutes wrote:Are folk using Loops with suspension forks? Seems every bike I've ever seen them fitted to was rigid

I used mine with a suspension fork on the HTR, Lakeland Loop and various other things last year.

Just out of interest, is there anyone aside from me who doesn't get on with Loops?