Surly and Jeff Jones H-Bars

[Marlowe]

I posted this over on BikeForums also.   First post here so be gentle.   

Thanks,
Marlowe
Great Falls, MT.


I'm new to touring and will be taking a 1000 mile trip next June. I have a new Surly Disc Trucker. Here is my problem. I had brain surgery a couple of years back and it does stress my neck muscles to bend over a set of drop bars quite abit. I can do the 10-30 miles trips ok buy am worried that anything much longer is not good. I just need to sit up more. I have looked at the different styles of bars, ie, trekking bars, mustache bars, but was wondering if anybody has tried Jeff Jones's H-Bars for touring on this forum. Would like to hear what you say. Here is the link to his H-Bars:

http://www.jonesbikes.com/h-bar.html

Thanks in advance.

Marlowe
Great Falls, MT

[driftlessregion]

First of all get yourself into a good shop and get a professional bike fit. Just throwing on different bars may not solve the problem.
Good luck!

[Marlowe]

I did.  Very professional.  His suggestion was too maybe give it a try.  I was looking for somebody who has actually used one.  Thanks for advice.  Well taken.

Marlowe

[BeeKeeper]

It may be the whole bars need to be raised up, to give you a more upright riding position.  However, this will probably need new forks with a longer stem.

[paddleboy17]

Maybe when you went shopping for a new bike you should have considered a recumbent...

I know, not what you wanted to hear, but given the limitation with your neck, the LHT might not have been the best choice.  I can't speak much for touring on a recumbent.

If you still want to try and make the LHT work, what about one of those adjustable stems?

[csykes]

I would be concerned about the ergonomics of using bars that push out so much to the sides.  Drop bars work well for many people as the hand rests very naturally on the area in front of the brake hoods (sides of the bars.)  Think of raising your arm for a handshake and see where your hand points.  Drop bars also have many different possible positions, so you can switch when you get tired.  I agree that it sounds like you need the bars raised, or maybe even a shorter, adjustable, or more steeply-angled stem 

I hope the bike size is correct for you.  My road bike is a 61cm and it works for me, but when I climb aboard a LHT at my LBS or REI, the 58cm feels like it is the right size/geometry for me.

[cara2u]

Hi
My spouse and I did the TA with the H-Bars and loved them. We didn't use the actual Jones bar instead we used the HiTek
version. Jones licensed them to use, so they were much cheaper. I've been looking for another pair but unable to find the Hi-Tek's anywhere I'm wondering whether they are still making them. I'm sure JJ is still fabricating them .
   We paired the bars with Ergon grips which really helped with the occasional numb hands problem.
Cara

[irc]

If your Trucker has the original stem I think it would be worth trying to raise the existing bars on your Trucker first. Switch the original stem for a stem with a higher angle. This will get the bars a couple of inches or so higher. Going with a shorter stem could get them a bit closer if you think that would help. With bike fit small changes can feel very different. If your bike is already OK for up to 30 miles it won't take much improvement to make it rideable all day.

Something like this 35 degree stem in a suitable length - or any other high angled stem

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/kalloy-as-009-uno-1-1-8-ahead-stem-+35-deg-254mm-clamp-black-prod21758/?src=froogle

Changing the stem is a quick fix which avoids changing about brakes, bar tape, shifters etc. Worth a try?

[dombrosk]

Drop bars vs. alternatives tends to be a personal choice that lots of folks have strong opinions on. 

I prefer more upright riding positions, much closer to fully vertical than an aerodynamic tuck.  Also, I like to be able to stretch my back and neck by rolling forward and back while riding.

There is a real issue with a variety of riding positions, no matter what kind of bars you ride on. 

When I looked at the photo you posted I did have some concerns about that.  My solution to a varied riding positions is bar-ends mounted at a fairly steep angle.  I can mix up left and right hands up and down them, cup my palms on top of them to get fully upright, and pull back against them on ascents to get more leverage.

I wasn't sure how well bar-ends would fit onto the Jeff Jones bars.

FYI, here are some photos of my setup

[Galloper]

I replaced the original drop bars on my LHT with trekking bars which I find far more comfortable.   You can easily adjust the angle of the bars to find the most suitable position.  The other advantage of trekking bars is the wide variety of hand positions available.

[nalanpog]

This review of using Jones H bars might be useful to you at http://thelazyrando.wordpress.com/2012/08/27/jeff-jones-loop-h-bar-review/

Good advice on handlebars and riding comfort at http://sheldonbrown.com/deakins/handlebars.html