Handlebar Alternatives For Touring on a 29er?

[Dad2TnR]

For those with the Jones bars... How are they for XC trail riding, not touring? I'm considering buying an Ogre with them, to which I'd add a front suspension fork. Are they less/more manoeuvrable than standard MTB bars?

I've run Jones Loops, or the Titec version, on several dedicated XC trail bikes and love them.  They give you some wiggle room to change your hand position while climbing, but where I really like them is on descent - I grab onto the end of them and can really get my arse off the back of the saddle.  Much easier to get over the back wheel on steeps than when I have my 17* Salsa bar on.

[pedalad]

+1 for the JONES h loop 710 (aluminum; $120) bar.

I put one on my 2013 salsa el mar III last fall and so far, I've really enjoyed it. It was my first alternative handlebar purchase and I have no regrets. Here a few thoughts, some regurgitated and some my own!

I have the bar set up with a slight rise. (you can actually read the jones logo on the bar through a gap in the stem perfectly) I did replace the stock stem with a shorter salsa stem, maybe by 20 or 30 mm. I have the stock salsa grips at the bar ends but have not decided if i am to shell out for good bar tape. I don't see myself hunching over the loop that much and it's plenty comfy to rest the hands on the naked bar when you need the blood to flow in different directions in your hands.

Again, the bar is comfortable, on all fronts, it handles really well, the multiple hand positions are clutch, it is perfect for rigging up gear underneath and it is great for housing lights and other gadgets.

The only immediate problem I see is the bar really hinders my ability to ride around the house, it's a tough fit for astandard door frame! I'm certain this will translate to hindered performance on tight, technical singletrack. I have yet to put the bar through any tumultuous terrain but I can't ignore this. It may not be as much of an issue with a smaller length bar, but since I have larger size frame, I went with the longer bar, for the better, I think.

Anyways, good to finally start posting on here. Long time follower, just never had the time to contribute, let alone ride!

[cjdunn]

I'm resurrecting this thread to see if there are more opinions (good or bad) on H-bars after almost a year. 

I'm getting ready for the Idaho Hot Springs Route this summer and thinking about switching to a different bar type.  Since we won't be riding much ST this time I will be riding my Karate Monkey HT instead of my Salsa Horsethief.   The KM currently has 720mm flat bars with Cane Creek bar ends that seem pretty comfortable right off but I have experienced some hand pain, numbness (ring and pinky fingers) and sometimes developed a painful knot in my shoulder after being in the saddle for 6+ hrs. 

I'm considering Jones H bars hoping that the different positions will help and maybe the 45 deg. sweep too.  But they seem like a pretty radical change so I'm a bit hesitant to pull the trigger on buying them.  That 45 deg. sweep looks like it could feel kind of awkward for ST riding especially since I like the wide bars (720+mm) with 9 deg sweep so much for that.  The 710mm H bar doesn't seem very wide compared to my preference on flat bars.  I like wide bars (I'm 6'4") and have 750mm on the Horsethief and could see going wider.  Do you ever feel cramped when turning?  Seems like the inside hand would end up pretty close to your knee if turning very sharp. 

It seems like having your hands at a 45 deg. angle would tend to keep your elbows in rather than out.  I am of the elbows out school of cornering and descending, moto style.

What other bars are available with more sweep than a standard mtb bar but less than 45 deg.?  How about wide (720+mm) and more sweep?

Thanks

[wahday]

Another Jones Bar fan here. I have them on an El Mar with a Reba fork and couldn't be happier. Handling is great. Yes they are tight in constricted areas but the same goes for any extra wide bars. Steep climbs can be a challenge if you are trying to lean forward but still have brake access but it is manageable. As noted, they are fantastic on technical descents. Move your hands to the ends of the bars and you automatically shift your weight back. And the control! I have never worried about going otb with these bars and have tackled sections that previously stymied me. I love them for regular xc riding as much as for bikepacking. Highly recommended!


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[Nomad]

Due to an accident after I Posted my original question I only got to put the Jones on about a month ago.  I did an overnight tour of 90 miles (75 paved) and found that the heels of my hands hurt from pressure.  I was running a 90mm and 7 degree rise.  The bars were tilted down to where my LBS thought was about right.  I spoke with Jeff Jones and he said to use a shorter stem.  I want to my LBS and borrowed and tried stems 70mm stems with 7, 17, 37 degrees and still felt the same as for pressure on my hands.  I didn't like the shorter cockpit at all but the hand pressure was my concern.  I took several photos on the 29 and on my RB.  On the RB I was much more forward (bent) and I am very comfortable on it.  I want back to the 90 mm stem and ran it flipped in the 0 rise position.  When I decreased the tilt so the bar was only slightly below horizontal it felt better.  I also did not have the ESI extra Chunky grips on at this point as I blew them off thinking they might be too thick for me.  I had a similar problem with a drop bar before.

1)  Any comments on the angle of the bar?
2)  Could the thickness of the grip be a problem?
3)  Any thoughts?

Thanks.  I leave for the GDMBR in a few days.

[bmike-vt]

I think the higher the bar the more angle you put on it. I have mine a few degrees out of level and like them. Bars are about saddle height or just a bit less.

The extra chunky are nice. Not sure if they make a huge difference, but they seem to work for me.

[Yagi]

I've been using the Black Sheep Mountain Moustache bars for a couple years now.  I really like the back sweep - allows me to sit up quite nicely while just cruising along, but get back into a "normal" position for downhill or climing.  XT hydralic brakes work well for to keep the brakes in a good position, with the hinged clamp and all.  I've been happy.  Just did the Kokopelli on them last month - so nice, and the long Ti bars soak up a lot of the little bumps.  2 sets of ESI Chunkies round out the goodness.  Yeah, I put 2 grips (end to end) on each bar end.

I'd post pics, but I'm a dummy, and have no idea how.  I'll try to post pics of the bike someday.

Steve

[dh024]

I had a similar problem and added some Ergon handlebar grips for swept bars, and they made a HUGE difference.

Just completed a 5 day ride in the backcountry of BC on them, and they were awesome (albeit after a bit of adjusting).

http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/product/gc-1-biokork