After two years of riding, slowly realising new perspectives, and challenging my own preconceptions and assumptions, I have made another change to the routine standard.
They’ve been good, but I occasionally fancied a more relaxed position and over time I’ve considered changing the bars.
My riding style over the last two years, has changed from:
i. Trying to co-exist with traffic, riding a bike with a similar driverly attitude and outlook.
to,
ii. Aiming to being more aware of place and adopting a more contented, mindful way…
There are a lot of alternative styles of handlebars on the market – I wanted something more comfortable that allows me to sit up more. Seeing the 45° sweep of the Jones H Loop Bar on a friend’s bike, I admired the unique classic design, but shivered at the unique classic price tag.
I was looking for something with a similar sweep.
I came across a few makes that had a similar spec, but the basic simple set below at £12.50 (delivered) stood out like an option too cheap not to try!
The XLC City + Trekking handlebar is made of “6061 aluminium”, they state that they have an “cranking of 59°” and a width of 610 mm. Not sure what a cranking means? I guess it could translate to a sweep of 31°.
Whatever… they are great!
They enable a more upright sitting position.
The new position seems to enable a grip and pull on the bars that helps exert more pressure on the pedals, when you need that extra surge.
With new Ergon grips I am really chuffed with the new set up.
Just what I was after.
Jules P Richards 
2 replies on “New handlebars”
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[…] Last July I moved from the a stock straight Specialized handlebars, to a too cheap not to try £12.50 (delivered) XLC City + Trekking handlebar. They enabled a more upright sitting position that i was looking for. […]