I bet they did. Why? Well I'm not sure. Let me take you through why I'm not sure.
Firstly, back in "the day", whenever that might have been, lets say a decade ago. Riserbars were few and far between on the cross country (XC) circuit. More associated with down hill riding or otherwise. Flat bars were the norm. Skinny little bars for skinny little people. Makes sense.
Problem: Skinny bars cramp your chest cavity and hinder breathing.
Solution: Barends! Fantastic, now I can climb like a scalded cat, my chest is open therefor my breathing is less restricted, see you at the top you loser.
Now riserbars are in, and fair enough. Extra height suits most people, makes riding more comfortable, more enjoyable and the wider bar gives better steering control, plus it OPENS UP YOUR CHEST. Hence, barends are now obsolete.
So why the hell do you have them on your bike?
That is the question I would like you to ask the next person you see with this hideous arrangement. There is a good chance that the person receiving this question will also have many other items of paraphernalia up in the cock-pit. Cycle computers, GPS, lights, horns, bells, aero-bars, ergonomic grips, steerer tube extenders etc You get the general idea.
It's quite obvious that fashion is not a strong point with this person. Going fast is important, but looking good even more so. After all, isn't that what cycling is all about?
6 comments:
BARENDS! shutup ive got them on my road bike! I have a real problem with you people. Think that your top s**t wearing team kits, with your low/long stems and high saddles, riding fast and stuff. I turned my Colnago into a flat bar, with a riser bar and bar ends! and suspension seat post Why you ask? .........................................Um...
Cos i have too much money and know nothing about cycling... whoops! did i say that. I mean becasue im a soft *****. Whoops! I mean becuase steve hagg (i mean Hogg) tells me i should. And my goodness he knows!!!
When you are 6'3" bar ends on a 27" wide still help a bunch on climbs. I was too cool to put bar ends on a riser until I built my winter Frankenbike and you know what...it rocks. So screw fashion, let's race!
Ive run into this post late.. but you know, theres this funny guy called 'Dave Wiens' who won the leadville 100 race 6 times in a row.. I think i remember seeing him with low-riser bars and ergon grips/barends. Funny how having more hand positions during a long race helps keep your hands from hurting.
Interesting, if get into google earth or maps whatever, you will see a lot of restaurants and bars, but well i still love gps.
If you have a problem with bar ends on riser bars you are a hipster doofus.
Doesn't matter the height of the bars, bar ends still offer a different hand position on long XC rides. And they open your shoulders and chest MORE than a hands-down position.
bar ends give you 2 extra positions to relieve pressure on your hands and reduce hand cramps. forget opening your chest up and breathing, that's something only roadies worry about. l shaped ends give you more leverage in a climb and protect your knuckles from getting bashed by trees on single track.
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