How wide do they go?

[Zen]

So I finally got the Aurora put together and I think I'm gonna like it.
One thing I'd like to change if i can, are the handlebars. I want ginormous wide handlebars. I've been riding flat bar bikes for a while and have found I feel more confident with the width of the handlebars. They give a wider steering base and greater stability in handling.

So, does anyone have any idea of how wide drop bars will go?

[wildeny]

Normally 44cm (c-c) I guess.

[OakLeaf]

Some brands go as wide as 46 cm.

But I'd be concerned about going too wide. The ergonomics are different when your palms face each other, than they are on a flattie. You don't want your wrists to break to the inside, and you don't want weird stresses on your elbows.

What does your bike have on it now? Try 42s maybe. By measurement I should be on 38s, but c-c 38 is definitely too narrow for me (my wrists break to the outside), I'm happy on 40s now and I've been comfy on 42s in the past.

[tulip]

pictures of the Aurora, please!

[Zen]

pictures of the Aurora, please!

Nothing fancy, your plain old stock Aurora.
Just like Elk's-
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/JamisAurora.jpg
.........................................................................But not yet accessorized so nicely

[Cataboo]

That's really nice, Zen. I always think maybe I shoulda went with leather acoutrements on my surly instead of the red bling. In her next re-incarnation, she can have the leather classic look.

If you want to try - I've got my bikes set up with 42 cms handlebars, probably a bit "wide" for my shoulders, but I like that it gives me a lot more places to put my hands and widths to move things.

The bf's got a 50 cm bike with a 44 cm bar - I can ride it (just barely), so I think you could to feel the width.

Of course, the bike shop could just put various bar sizes on the trainer for you to try.

46 cm, I might get concerned that it'll be hard to use the shifters that wide.

[Zen]

That's really nice, Zen. I always think maybe I shoulda went with leather acoutrements on my surly instead of the red bling.

You do know that's not my bike, that's Elk's.
i haven't got a Brooks on mine (yet).

I'm not even sure what size bars are on there now. I measured them last night but I've forgotten already :o

[Cataboo]

You do know that's not my bike, that's Elk's.
i haven't got a Brooks on mine (yet).

I'm not even sure what size bars are on there now. I measured them last night but I've forgotten already :o

Nope I hadn't realized that - I haven't memorized the pictures of everyone's bikes yet.

That was on my agenda for tomorrow

[Zen]

I put the disclaimer with the photo.
You and your spd rdng:D

[Cataboo]

I put the disclaimer with the photo.
You and your spd rdng:D

I believe we have yet another failure to communicate here :)

[madscot13]

in defense of others: just like Elks's could mean Elk's.
and that could be a borrowed saddle.

but I digress, I have an old pair of 42 cm bars c-c you can take.

[Zen]

I believe we have yet another failure to communicate here :)

Spd rdng has been disemvoweled. Add them;)
"Wanna ride home?" Someday we'll have to tell that story http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing002.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org).

[divingbiker]

So I finally got the Aurora put together and I think I'm gonna like it.

You got another bike??? Go, girl!

[Zen]

You got another bike???That sounds just like my sister. She apparently thinks she is her sister's keeper
Go, girl!
That doesn't sound at all like her.
Thanks :D

[madscot13]

you know that Aurora looks like a really nice bike. I might talk myself into the Elite one of these years.

what size are you Zen? I think you are around 4 inches taller than me. the problem with being so short is that I can never try out mny size.

[withm]

I test rode the Aurora back in February. The ride was not so good because it frikkin freezing outside but moreso because the guy at the shop had just put it together, and did not have the gears adjusted correctly. After about 5 miles of riding, it would not stay in any gear at all for more than a few pedal strokes. The bike I rode was a size too big and I never went back to try the smaller - which I was pretty sure would be too small. Go figure. I rode that thing with about 3" of head tube protruding above the handlebars. All I could think was that if I wiped out, it was really, really gonna hurt. A lot.

I'll be curious to see how you like it after you get a few miles on it.

[Zen]

What a bizzare experience. Do you frequent that shop?

I'm still getting the bugs out. Looks like the next thing I'm gonna need are STI shims :(

[withm]

Was a shop I've never been to, but they were a Jamis & Raleigh dealer - and I was looking for a Raleigh that I could buy at the local shop in Michigan. Then April came and I've been out of town every weekend in April/May. Maybe I'll give them another chance but it bothered me that they sent me out on bike that just wasn't shifting properly, or holding a shift. And then there's that stem issue... we talked about that, and yeah, I knew the risks and went out on the bike anyway, but it was probably a pretty dumb thing to do.

[madscot13]

and yeah, I knew the risks and went out on the bike anyway, but it was probably a pretty dumb thing to do.

ahh the things we do to ride a bike

[elk]

Yup...that's my bike....you can tell because that was before I knew to take the picture from the other side....:p

I'm very anxious to hear about YOUR bike Zen.

I still adore mine. Everytime I see that new Terry Valkyrie Touring model and m'mind goes all HOmer Simpson on me: blaaaaaaaack steeeeeeel made by waterfooooord....I just go and say hey to my Jamis and think about all the stuff I can buy for my dogs instead.

[moderncyclista]

Nice bike, Zen! I have the 09. Is that brooks saddle naturally that way, or is it a honey colored that has been darkened with Neatsfoot oil (on top)?? With my Aurora I want the standard color but my other bike would like one in darker brown. :D

[Zen]

OK, let me set this straight once again.

The bike in the photo is not mine.
The bike in the photo belongs to Elk.
I also have an Aurora but at that time had not yet taken a proper photo.

It appears to me that Elk's saddle is a honey Brooks.
I put a black one on mine but only because I got a deal on it. I probably would have like honey but when I'm sitting on it no one can see it anyway

[moderncyclista]

Okay. Same questions for "elk" then. :cool:

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I'm pretty sure Elk had gotten a brown Brooks for her Aurora, not honey.

[Zen]

I didn't know brown was an option.
Hmm.

[Aquila]

Zen, what a lovely bike! How does it ride?

/tease

I hear Elk has a nice bike, too :cool:

This Jamis look so comfy and inviting!