Handlebar adaptation for neck problem

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Invicta Tourist
Posts: 221
Joined: 19 Jul 2009, 10:18am

Handlebar adaptation for neck problem

Post by Invicta Tourist »

Hi, has anybody adapted a drop barred tourer to one with straight bars to help achieve a more upright riding position due to arthritis in the neck?

Could I ask which type/s of (handle!)bars you find most comfortable? I've been looking at riser style bars, after using drops for over 30 years. The tourer has side pull caliper brakes and dt shifters.

I would very much appreciate feedback from someone who's carried out this type of conversion.
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Cunobelin
Posts: 10801
Joined: 6 Feb 2007, 7:22pm

Re: Handlebar adaptation for neck problem

Post by Cunobelin »

Invicta Tourist wrote:Hi, has anybody adapted a drop barred tourer to one with straight bars to help achieve a more upright riding position due to arthritis in the neck?

Could I ask which type/s of (handle!)bars you find most comfortable? I've been looking at riser style bars, after using drops for over 30 years. The tourer has side pull caliper brakes and dt shifters.

I would very much appreciate feedback from someone who's carried out this type of conversion.


It can be done, but gear and brake levers may need to be changed

I have done this successfully on my Dawes Galaxy Twin, and my Thorn Nomads, both came with straight bars

There is a "third way"

My wife used Butterfly bars, also known as trekking bars:

Image


These are effectively straight, but versatile enough to allow a range of positions on a long day.

Image

They can be fitted at almost any angle to suit the rider, and even fitted in reverse with the "gap" at the front to extend reach
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geomannie
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Joined: 13 May 2009, 6:07pm

Re: Handlebar adaptation for neck problem

Post by geomannie »

+1 for butterfly bars. This is the solution that my wife ended up with (after trying flat bars) as they offer a wide range to hand positions.
geomannie
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Invicta Tourist
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Joined: 19 Jul 2009, 10:18am

Re: Handlebar adaptation for neck problem

Post by Invicta Tourist »

Thank you for your replies and usefu photos showing the brake levers on the nearer side of the bars. :) It's a helpful idea as I'm finding it's a strain on the neck to reach the bars on the top of the drops.
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