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General Category >> Technical >> Xstream handlebar
https://rbentonline.org/YaBB.pl?num=1276525931

Message started by FlyingLaZBoy on Jun 14^th, 2010, 9:32am

Title: Xstream handlebar
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Jun 14^th, 2010, 9:32am

There have been various discussions out there on BROL, etc., about people wanting to or needing to "customize" the handlebar setup on the Xstream... I probably led the way, cutting 1-1/2" off the bottom of the riser on the prototype to get the handlebar crosspiece lower in my line of vision.
Additionally, this is one of the few LWB's out there where you encounter the grip/knee interference when turning (The V3 being another, right, Chas? [smiley=undecided.gif] ) like you do on a "hiracer," due to the relatively high BB position bringing your knees up -- but there's still no "heel strike" as such, except when you've got the wheel turned almost 70 degrees, where you can contact the brake arm (with 175 cranks, anyway).
To address this, both Greg and I have installed the RANS "HR3Way" handlebar, which has a distance of about 19" between the ends of the "U" piece, and you can rotate the grip sections outward as well -- this works pretty nicely to create additional knee clearance when turning. Greg recently posted some pics on a BROL Xstream thread about it.
In this thread, Randy Schlitter mentioned liking a "T-bar" setup on his Xstream -- this got me curious, as I have the "T-bar" handlebar from my StratusXP conversion, and I liked it a lot on the SXP... So I tackled it last night, swapping out the HR3 and putting on the T-bar... However, I had already cut the B-28 topload piece a lot shorter than it was, to be able to push the HR3 bars forward away from me -- so once I got the shifters and brakes installed, I really couldn't bring the T-bar back far enough for a comfortable reach to properly evaluate it.
However, it didn't seem like the 'T-bar' setup was very practical -- it seems like it would have to be brought waaay back into "praying hamster" position to be able to clear your knees -- and the closer-together position of the grips on the short T-bar bring the grips directly into vertical line with your knees, so they HAVE to be brought way back and out of the way for the setup to be useful at ALL... So, I swapped back to the HR3 setup.
I dunno -- I'm still intrigued, so I'm going to ask Randy if he has some pics....

Title: Re: Xstream handlebar
Post by Bud_Bent on Jun 14^th, 2010, 11:27am

Which seat were you trying the T-bar with? The Xstream 26 that Randy was talking about comes with a Sling Mesh seat. T-bars tend to work with a more upright seating position, but not when you're really reclined.

And that's the challenge of getting an Xstream set up like you like it, just like getting a high racer set up. Sitting very reclined makes it tougher to get handlebars just right.

Title: Re: Xstream handlebar
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Jun 14^th, 2010, 12:17pm

Bud_Bent wrote:

I asked him that very question in the email I've sent to him... Even with the Slingmesh, that doesn't change the knee height significantly, so I'm hoping he can show some photos with him on the bike.

Title: Re: Xstream handlebar
Post by Bud_Bent on Jun 14^th, 2010, 2:01pm

FlyingLaZBoy wrote:

[quote author=Bud_Bent link=1276525931/0#1 date=1276532841]Which seat were you trying the T-bar with? The Xstream 26 that Randy was talking about comes with a Sling Mesh seat. T-bars tend to work with a more upright seating position, but not when you're really reclined...

I asked him that very question in the email I've sent to him... Even with the Slingmesh, that doesn't change the knee height significantly, so I'm hoping he can show some photos with him on the bike.[/quote]

But with the Slingmesh, your shoulders are a lot higher, so the handlebar can be enough higher to minimize interferrence.

Title: Re: Xstream handlebar
Post by kingjason on Jun 16^th, 2010, 7:40pm

I have a B-31 if anyone needs it to test with. Not sure what it would do on the X Stream but after I demo ed my V3 out I like it better when it came back with my the stock riser on it. Free for the taking.

I think I had the T bar set up on a V2 some time ago and I really liked it. I also took the bolt on mountain bike grips and faced them down off the handlebar and it led to a really nice variety on grips.