STRAIGHT HANDLEBARS

[johnpoi]

i was one of the many this year on flat bars, carefully reduced to 500mm. i took the decision to do so last year after completing the race on drops. i have resricted range of motion in my neck after being operated on for a trapped nerve and found the descents difficult on drops. however, if the decision is for drops next year i'll find a way!

out of interest, will the widest available salsa bell lap drop bars be allowed? they measure more than 500mm!?!?

[johnparkinson]

Yep John Poi - that is basically my question - will the widest Salsa Bell Lap bar now be allowed? (on my bike currently - and first attempt at t'Peaks next year - so want to make sure - but did think I might have to change them any road under the old bar regulations but, now, you never know?). Or even the likes of the On One Midges etc for that matter? Just wondering thats's all?

Ta

John

[trilathon]

if the max width is 50 cm

and flat wide bars are banned

why the heck should some American bars like the Salsa be allowed if they wider than 50cm and are deemed dangerous in the peloton ?

Come on, use your brains ....it's about 8 abreast on those narrow first few miles, and with traffic !

stop being so selfish and observe the rules or go elsewhere

ps I saw one of the participants with an illegal machine be cautioned by a marshall about his bars....when the marshall left he announced, with much mirth, to his mates how he knew he'd 'get away with it' ...appalling sportsmanship and complete disregard for the organiser and the event

this is a wonderful and historic event....why erode it's character and chip away at it and make it like all other run of the mill events ?

[mtbmonkey]

Great decision on the bars.

A spare bike is part of the sport, its the way they are allowed to be used thats unfair to some riders. How about having pit areas at the 3 main change over locations, bottom of Ingleborough, Ribblehead and Ribblesdale. It doesn't even need to be a marked out area, just the general area.

You need to be self sufficient anywhere out side these areas (excluding help from other riders).

Having helpers on the course with spare wheels etc just doesn't seem to be in the spirit of the event for me.

Also this would mean the bike you have on the road is the one that goes up the hill. (So no road tyres on the road sections)

[johnparkinson]

Alright alright alright Triathalon – I was only asking?

I thought it was perhaps a little unclear whether the 50cm limit applied to straight bars only? It’s clear now – having read back through the thread – that, for safety reasons, 50cm is the limit regardless. Thanks for clearing that up.

It’s all academic really anyway (if it’s overall width that’s the issue?) because my shoulders are 48cm across, and then, with the addition my body armour………

There is no question about me being selfish, disrespecting the rules, trying to pull the wool over people’s eyes or anything like that; I was merely joining in the discussion and I thought it was an interesting point?

Cheers

John

PS: I totally agree with your sentiments regarding the 3PCX.

[johnpoi]

for the record, i only posed the question regarding the wide bell-lap bars out of interest. i've tried them and didn't like them anyway - too deep for the restricted range of motion my operation left my neck with. a pair of 46cm compact drops has proved much more useable for normal 'cross races and it's those bars which i shall use for the peaks this year.

[orbeas]

As the person who 'invented' straight bars on a cross bike in 1974, I have to say that when you look at the race photos, the people on straight bars do look strange in a cyclo cross race. You would not ride a time trial bike in a road race !!!!

[TomR]

Brilliant stuff - now everyone can enjoy the pain equally!

I've always stuck to drop handlebars simply because it wouldn't feel right to do the race any other way - and you need something to hold onto when you have your bike on your shoulder for so long.