Cycling UK Forum

I'm fettling my Moulton to accommodate a 'leccy conversion. It has straight 'bars and I'm recalling a thing there was with the F frame jobbies that have same. The Thing was that the Sturmey Archer 4 speed trigger, what with its slightly stiff pull, up to the double-sprung 1st gear, was best sited on the bend of the 'roadster' bar. Do you, dear reader, have a favourite roadster bar that you find suitable for day rides? Does it have inclined grips, like the North Road or perhaps something more exotic you could tell us about?
I feel I should take the opportunity to try something different as presumably, Mr Volt will help extend my range...

As a teenager, an elderly neighbour gave me an ancient (1950s or possibly older) roadster with North Road bars and SA 3-speed. I think it might have been a Philips. Anyway, there were lots of things that made it not a great bike (brakes virtually non-existent, heavy, far from cool) but some pretty good things, top of which would be the North Road bars. I can't remember exactly where on the bars the gear trigger went though.

It depends on the bike though. Decades later (about ten years ago) I bought some modern North Road bars and fitted them to a hybrid I had at the time; the result was weird, both in position – my hands were too close to my body, the bars would sometimes hit my legs on tight turns – and in handling. So after a while I put the straight bars back on, even though they were not comfortable.

The SA four speed trigger works well on drop handlebars, sited below and inboard of the brake lever.
It usually has to be held in first gear unless brand new/unworn.

North road bars available from Soma, I think and alloy.

I don't know, but currently speccing an SST and am in discussion with Fran at the Traditional Cycle Shop about various bar options, and he's noted that he's done a few with Pashley roadster bars so probably worth having a natter to.

https://www.traditionalcycleshop.co.uk/

jimlews wrote: ↑9 Apr 2024, 11:36am[snip]
North road bars available from Soma, I think and alloy.

Soma make another 1930s style bar, the Lauterwasser, in steel or alloy.
I've used them on a SA bike, they're wider than the vintage version,
and of course no celluloid covering.

https://www.somafab.com/archives/produc ... -handlebar

Just had this in an email from an acquaintance... I think I'll give 'em a go.

I also use North Road bars on my Moulton Streetbike and have them quite high. They are much more comfortable than any other design of bars in my opinion.

4 speed triggers have to be positioned on the bend of the bar to give the 1st gear lever room to pull it into gear.

They are yours if you want 'em. Ping me a safe address and I'll get them packaged to be sent this weekend

Thanks for that kind offer ct - I just bought a very similar set this afternoon!

simonineaston wrote: ↑9 Apr 2024, 7:54pm Thanks for that kind offer ct - I just bought a very similar set this afternoon!

No worries, in which case the offer is extended to anyone who wants to follow your example and try a more comfortable set of handlebars

As an aside, I do hope you will be posting you experience of the 'bars when they are fitted.

Bmblbzzz wrote: ↑9 Apr 2024, 10:01am It depends on the bike though. Decades later (about ten years ago) I bought some modern North Road bars and fitted them to a hybrid I had at the time; the result was weird, both in position – my hands were too close to my body, the bars would sometimes hit my legs on tight turns – and in handling. So after a while I put the straight bars back on, even though they were not comfortable.

Ah... did you try raising the handlebars? I've found north road bars to be at their most comfortable a few inches above the saddle

The F-frames had four types that I know of: the usual steel upswept bars, the alloy upswept bars on the series 1 Deluxe (the series 2 Deluxe is mostly steel as they cut costs), the downturned steel bars on the Speed - which are unique, not just the normal ones flipped over - and dropped bars on the Speedsix.

The downturned Speed bars are quite effective for fast riding, even if their main purpose was to ape a motorcycle.

cycle tramp wrote: ↑9 Apr 2024, 8:59pm

Bmblbzzz wrote: ↑9 Apr 2024, 10:01am It depends on the bike though. Decades later (about ten years ago) I bought some modern North Road bars and fitted them to a hybrid I had at the time; the result was weird, both in position – my hands were too close to my body, the bars would sometimes hit my legs on tight turns – and in handling. So after a while I put the straight bars back on, even though they were not comfortable.

Ah... did you try raising the handlebars? I've found north road bars to be at their most comfortable a few inches above the saddle

Tried them at various angles. Probably tried raising them, can't remember now. What they really needed was a longer stem to compensate for the difference in reach to the bars between straight bars and NRs, but that would have been too complicated with a quill stem. So I put the straights back on and gave the bike to a relative!

Bmblbzzz wrote: ↑11 Apr 2024, 11:50am

cycle tramp wrote: ↑9 Apr 2024, 8:59pm

Bmblbzzz wrote: ↑9 Apr 2024, 10:01am It depends on the bike though. Decades later (about ten years ago) I bought some modern North Road bars and fitted them to a hybrid I had at the time; the result was weird, both in position – my hands were too close to my body, the bars would sometimes hit my legs on tight turns – and in handling. So after a while I put the straight bars back on, even though they were not comfortable.

Ah... did you try raising the handlebars? I've found north road bars to be at their most comfortable a few inches above the saddle

Tried them at various angles. Probably tried raising them, can't remember now. What they really needed was a longer stem to compensate for the difference in reach to the bars between straight bars and NRs, but that would have been too complicated with a quill stem. So I put the straights back on and gave the bike to a relative!

Or counter intuitively - a shorter stem?

And i'm aware that writing this makes me sound like Mr Mad McMad from Mad Town...

But the thing about swept back 'bars is that they should put your wrists, your elbows and your shoulders in a more natural position.. in order to get the most relaxed position your upper arms should be following a vertical line down to the ground (within x amount of degrees, depending on personal preference) and using the natural bend of the elbows to reach forwards. If your upper arms are still at an angle which is more forwards rather than down, then you still could be loading your shoulders with unwanted tension.

An interesting observation, ct. I’m looking forward to the ones I ordered arriving to give them a try and see how they feel.