Jones Loop H-Bar vs. aerobars questions

[zuren]

Is there anyone that has not liked a Jones Loop H-Bar?  How do you feel an H-Bar would compare to a regular bar with bar-ends and aerobars attached (or is that not a fair comparison)?

It seems that most people love them and you never see them for sale.  I like the idea of multiple hand positions plus extra real estate to mount and lash items for touring/bikepacking.  However, the cost of an aluminum Loop H-Bar is about the same as a decent set of aerobars (that could be swapped across different bikes) so I'm interested to know if there is a better approach or are they just different approaches.

This setup is what peaked my interest - an extremely sharp bike and setup:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/photos/nahbs-2013-stunning-steel-creations-from-english-cycles/253907

http://www.englishcycles.com/custombikes/black-rainbow-divide-ride/   

[juanesunpescado]

Editing this because I did not really answer your question the first time.

I like them, so I can't speak to that. I'm sure someone didn't and it would be interesting to hear why.

Primary differences between jones h-bar and standard w/aero would be:

standard would most likely not be as comfortable when on regular grip area due to being straight and not angled.

standard w/aero would have two hand positions. h-bar has 4 ish.

jones has two aero-ish options each with a limitation. grasping front bar is not that layed out. forearms across both bars is layed out but not secure because you are not gripping anything. set up in your link would address that.

standard bar will work easily with most shift systems. jones works best with systems like paul thumbies, or an integrated shift/brake. trigger shifters can interfere a bit with some of your potential hand positions. but you wouldn't have those options on a standard bar anyway. I have triggers on my jones bar, but my wife's set up with thumbies is cleaner. also the thumbies are up out of the way of your handlebar pack.

Hope that helps.

[zuren]

Editing this because I did not really answer your question the first time.

I like them, so I can't speak to that. I'm sure someone didn't and it would be interesting to hear why.

Primary differences between jones h-bar and standard w/aero would be:

standard would most likely not be as comfortable when on regular grip area due to being straight and not angled.

standard w/aero would have two hand positions. h-bar has 4 ish.

jones has two aero-ish options each with a limitation. grasping front bar is not that layed out. forearms across both bars is layed out but not secure because you are not gripping anything. set up in your link would address that.

standard bar will work easily with most shift systems. jones works best with systems like paul thumbies, or an integrated shift/brake. trigger shifters can interfere a bit with some of your potential hand positions. but you wouldn't have those options on a standard bar anyway. I have triggers on my jones bar, but my wife's set up with thumbies is cleaner. also the thumbies are up out of the way of your handlebar pack.

Hope that helps.

You bring up an interesting point about shifters.  If you were starting from scratch with an H-Bar and building a 3x9 system, what would you go with?  I'm reading pros and cons of thumbies vs. "standard" trigger systems on these bars.  Also, if I try to run a single clamp shifter/brake combo it looks like I'm limited to used or NOS XT/XTR parts (to be v-brake/mech disc compatible). 

Thanks!

[juanesunpescado]

I would run the dura ace or ultegra thumbies and xt brake levers if starting from scratch. I love the simplicity of them. I personally loved my xtr brake/shifters. Never had a problem with them, but they seem overly complex for a bike packing rig.

[kato]

My wife uses an H-bar on her Salsa Fargo.  She loves it and I am highly considering getting one too.  I've ridden her bike with the H-bar several times and if I wasn't fully in love with my Woodchipper bar I'd definitely go with an h-bar with an aero bar mounted for multi day bikepacking trips.  The extra bends and area does help with lashing on all sorts of goodies.  The newest version of the h bar also has a longer main grip area than the previous version which makes it easier to mount shifters and brake levers.  It is pricey but very nice.  My wife has the ergon grips which I also love.
The hbar does offer many hand positions and a sort of aero position but not really comparable to aero bar aero.  The aero position on the hbar vs the "main" position is more like the difference of riding on brake hoods vs the drops of a road bar.  I have ridden the bar with my forearms rested on both front parts of the hbar, in a pseudo aero bar position, but found the lack of arm pads to be limiting.
Compared to a flat bar with bar ends and aero bar I still prefer the hbar or my Woodchipper.  Most of our rides are more than 5 hours and the multitude of positions offered by non-flat bars is quite welcome.
My wife has a brief opinion and photos of the hbar on her blog, http://faroutwanderings.blogspot.com/2013/05/jones-h-bar-review.html?m=1

[John G]

Maybe Velo Orange will have another option soon.

I was goofing around over the weekend looking for a way to get a bag to stay on the front part of H-Bars and put a couple of old bar ends up there.  Looks kind of stupid, but were pretty comfortable.  I could splay my arms wide and rest elbows on the flat part of the Ergons, or tuck in over the top of the bag.

[Pack Mule]

I like the looks of both the Jones H bar and the Loop bar too.  I am trying to put together my next dream bike, a touring bike, and although I have never used the H or Loop bar, they are definitely on my short list.  In my search for info on them I stumbled upon a setup that looks good, using the H-bar with aeros.

[the tortoise]

I tried the Titec H bar setup. Liked them but just like the Jones H bars they don't have enough room on the grip ends to properly mount conventional brake and shift levers. Can't believe they didn't add a little more length to the grip area to do it right. The loop bars look intriguing but a little pricey and they have enough space on the grip portion to mount brake and shift levers.