Salsa Handelbars

[Fuji Girl]

So I crashed in a big way last week at Critical Mass, and my handlebars need to be replaced. I have pretty narrow shoulders, I think I need a 38cm. I'd like them to be black also (which rules out the Terry bars). I was looking at Salsa bars, specifically the Salsa Poco and Short and Shallow.

Poco: http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=5171&category=873

Short and Shallow: http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=5174&category=873


Does anyone have any experience with either of these? I'm also open to any other suggestions anyone may have.

[eofelis]

I have the Salsa Poco, 40cm, on my road bike. I had them almost 4 yrs, I like them.

[Lise]

No idea about the handle bars, but so sorry to hear you crashed at Critical Mass! That's the second crash I've heard about in that ride. Aside from the crash...what did you think about the event? And, most importantly, are you OK? No injuries to the fujigirl? L.

[Surlygirl]

I have Salso Moto short and shallow on my Surly and they are great. I have the 38cm. No complaints and they are black. Check out aebike.com. They usually have good prices. On my Orbea I have Specialized bars but they are silver. I have small hands so the short and shallow helps with the brake levers.

[kaybee]

I have the Salsa Poco 38 cm handle bars on my Giant, and I like them fine. However, this is my first bike, so take my opinion for what it's worth!!

KB

[betagirl]

Dang fuji, what happened? I've never done critical mass, but have thought about it. Oak Park has one also, though I have no idea how big it is compared to the one downtown. I hope your handlebars are the only things that require fixing :)

[ChainsOflove]

I have Poco 38's on all my bikes. I had the 40 CM short/shallow which I still felt was too big.

One thing is I think its ridiculous that if you ask for these the LBS guys think they are "tiny", when Gerogena Terry I think would consider this to be an average size for most women!!!

BTW, I have some bars for sale ! a short/shallow 40, and a ritchey 40.

I've also used Nitto B114 38's which is nice, old-fashioned shape and cheap

[Triskeliongirl]

The salsa poco and salsa short and shallow do have a difference in reach (see review at girlbike.com: http://www.girlbike.com/handlebars.html
I found the specs on the poco bar here: http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=Poco+Handlebar&vendorCode=SALSA&major=1&minor=15
Note, the reach is 1.2 cm longer on the short and shallow so perhaps you should base it on what matched the reach best on your old bars, assuming you like the reach on that set-up.

I used to ride the poco bar (40cm), and so far its the best *short reach* bar I've found (liked it more than terry t-bar that I road for a long time), so if you need a short reach bar go for it. BUT, I didn't like the ergo drops, didn't fit my hands. In fact, I prefer a longer reach bar with a really small ramp the nitto noodle (41cm) so I get another hand position. From the rivendell catalogue at: http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/webalog/handlebars_stems_tape/16111.html

"Its key feature is the shallow 15-degree "ramp," which is what we call the curved portion of the bar behind the brake lever body. You put your hands there a lot, and if ithe ramp is steep--as it is on so many handlebars--your hand slides forward and it bugs you. The Noodle bar's flattish ramp gives you a super comfortable hand perch, and your hands will not tend to slide, not the least bit."

But, I can only use this bar on my terrys that have short enough top tubes to let me use a standard reach bar. It also is silver and probably too wide for you, but I thought I'd share since others may read this thread looking for an old fashioned 'maes' curvy bar with flattish ramp.

[Fuji Girl]

Dang fuji, what happened? I've never done critical mass, but have thought about it. Oak Park has one also, though I have no idea how big it is compared to the one downtown. I hope your handlebars are the only things that require fixing :)

I am OK :). I am never doing CM again, it was so stupid. First of all, it was really small this time, and I heard there were a bunch of idiots at the front guiding the group. There was some business with an angry SUV driver, someone's bike got run over and destroyed. Thankfully, no one was hurt. I bailed out long before that, only 5 miles in. I was looking behind me for my stupid friend, who was taking his sweet-a** time looking at the scenery, when I ran into another girl.

Ruined my handlebars and cracked my shifters. Going to get everything replaced today, hopefully it won't break the bank!

[Aggie_Ama]

Fuji- I had to replace my handlebars on my Fuji last year. I needed a 38", so the LBS directed me to the Short and Shallow. I LOVE them. I cannot believe how passionate I was about my handlebars! I like that they have this bump that makes riding in the drop super comfortable. Hopefully it won't be too pricey!