Handlebar Help?

[groovy.rides]

Hi all!

This is my first post on these forums, I'm 18, and a newbie to bikepacking, so be prepared for a ton of posts by me, as I've got a lofty goal of completing the Great Divide next June.

My first question for the collective knowledge of this forum is this: I'm riding a 19(?) inch Kona Unit, and with the stock bars, I've got some weird back and wrist pains. I threw some Ergons with bar ends on, which helped a bit as far as the climbing and comfort, but the tech ability and overall riding ability I feel isn't as great as I was used to. So, after knowing that, should I try a set of alt-bars, like Jones or drops? I read a lot about the Jones bars, but I don't want to drop the cash on them without knowing if I ought to try a different setup first.

So, what do you all think should I do?

THANKS!
-BBNY

[MattL]

Everyone's body is different, but I will say that you don't need expensive handlebars to finish the Tour Divide.  Older racers with grizzled bodies finish every year on flat bars, some without even aerobars to take a break on.

The TD is an [ultra]marathon.  How long can you ride on your unit before things start to hurt?  And what hurts first?

Do you have aerobars?  If not, I'd recommend a set of those (I like the Syntace C3, but I think they're expensive) before any other handlebar change, and begin practicing with them ASAP.  Having a way to shift the weight and pressure around when you ride is a huge benefit.  In the aerobars, your hands get a 100% break and your butt and back at least get the burden shifted around.

Finally, as far as ability to clear terrain with a given setup, I found that rarely matters on the GDMBR.  I needed to find a setup that let me carry all my gear, ride for 16+ hours uninterrupted (most of it on wide roads), get a "good" night's "sleep" and then be able to do it again the next day.  I worked on that 1-3 weekends a month in my months of training leading up to the TD, and that paid off.

[groovy.rides]

Everyone's body is different, but I will say that you don't need expensive handlebars to finish the Tour Divide.  Older racers with grizzled bodies finish every year on flat bars, some without even aerobars to take a break on.

The TD is an [ultra]marathon.  How long can you ride on your unit before things start to hurt?  And what hurts first?

Do you have aerobars?  If not, I'd recommend a set of those (I like the Syntace C3, but I think they're expensive) before any other handlebar change, and begin practicing with them ASAP.  Having a way to shift the weight and pressure around when you ride is a huge benefit.  In the aerobars, your hands get a 100% break and your butt and back at least get the burden shifted around.

Finally, as far as ability to clear terrain with a given setup, I found that rarely matters on the GDMBR.  I needed to find a setup that let me carry all my gear, ride for 16+ hours uninterrupted (most of it on wide roads), get a "good" night's "sleep" and then be able to do it again the next day.  I worked on that 1-3 weekends a month in my months of training leading up to the TD, and that paid off.

Thanks for the response, it usually takes about 1 1/2 hours for any pain to happen, and when it does, it's usually in my upper back, shoulders, and elbows where the pain gets in bad.

I was planning on using aerobars to stretch out my back and get the tucked-in position that is so common on the TD.

As far as the ability to clear terrain, the Unit is my daily driver, and I want to be able to ride the trails near me with the bars I want to use, and not have to switch bars, hence the Jones bar curiosity.

It certainly doesn't help that I'm kind of indecisive...

[dave]

I'd strongly consider getting a bike fit from one or more knowledgeable shops.  Many will do it for free--maybe ask the shop where you bought the Unit.  You shouldn't be riding in pain (at least not until longer than 1.5 hrs, if you're planning on doing the Divide).  Could be something else with your positioning such as stem, seat position, etc.

[wahday]

For something as ambitious as the tour divide, the money spent on a pro fitting would be well worth it.

I have the Jones loop H-bar and love it for so many reasons. But without a proper bike fit, you will still have pain. The Jones bar offers many different positions which is great for the long haul. Plus numerous lashing/mounting points, comfortable sweep, great width and outstanding torque on standing climbs


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