Opinions on Nitto 177 Noodle vs. Nitto B-135/136 Randonneur?

[rw1911]

Somewhat related, but without hijacking the below "Drop Bar
Suggestions" thread...

I have 46cm Noodles on two bikes. I like them fine but wonder if
there is something to the flaring on the Randonneur. (hand
position(s) and long ride comfort)

If you stand relaxed with your eyes closed and place your arms in
front of you, you'll notice that your hands are angled in a bit. (at
least mine are) With this, it would seem that the flaring of the
Randonneur would provide a more natural hand position. I wonder if
this is true in real life?

B-177 Noddle (46, 26.0) reach of 95 mm C-C and drop of 140 mm C-C
B-135 Rando (45, 25.4) reach of 105 mm C-C and a drop of 120 mm C-C
B-136 Rando (44, 26.0) reach of 110 mm C-C and a drop of 125 C-C.
While 1 cm narrower than the B-135, the specs I'm looking at show that
the hoods would be 1 cm wider than the B-135, indicating more flare?

Can anyone comment with their real-world experience using both (all
three) bars?

[PATRICK MOORE]

The B177 sounds just like the Nitto 185 with 95 mm of reach and 140 mm of drop. I used to like the 185s and rode them for years (albeit in 42 cm size); their great defect was the short ramp, especially if you -- as you know you should -- keep the ends parallel to Mother Earth. But now find the longer reach and shallower drop (115/125) Maes Parallels with longer ramps noticeably more comfortable.

Velo Orange sells a bar with the same reach and drop, tho' not as nice as the Super Nitto finish of the Grand Bois Parallels.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.

--
"Believe nothing until it has been officially denied."
                                                   -- Claude Cockburn

-------------------------
Patrick Moore, Albuquerque, NM, USA
For professional resumes, contact Patrick Moore, ACRW
http://resumespecialties.com/index.html
-------------------------

[rw1911]

Thanks Patrick,

If I'm understanding the specs correctly, the 136 would provide and
additional 15mm of ramp to move around on... and it looks pretty
flat? I'm most curious about the impact of the wider flare, when on
both on the hoods and in the drops. Examining photos, it also appears
the Rando has an upward sweep from the center/stem?

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

I've ridden the 135 and the 177 extensively. I like them both. I doubt you'd gain anything from switching, but it might be fun anyway.

[rw1911]

Good to know. So there is not a significant difference in wrist
angle... and comfort?


On Oct 6, 11:22 pm, Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery <thill....@gmail.com>
wrote:

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

Significant difference in comfort? Not for me. If your current set up is ok, how much more comfort do you need? If your current set up is not ok, might as well try something new.

[lungimsam]

I can only comment on the NITTO Noodle.

I really love it, but it is a big jump to the drops.

 

They should make a Noodle with a shorter drop for smaller riders and un-racers.

 

I actually heard a pedestrian yell to me "Don't do it!!" when I was reaching for the drops. A crowd was gathering, and Firemen were there with a blow up mattress. A racer in full kit rode up beside me and tried to talk me down before I jumped to the drops. (just kidding. OK, now I am getting silly).

 

 

 

[PATRICK MOORE]

(Don't know your name): I've not used the Nitto 136s, but from their specs they seem to be shorter in reach than those I mentioned. What I have in mind are these:

http://www.compasscycle.com/handlebars_gb_maes_para.html

Velo Orange sells a cheaper version: 

http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/components/handlebars/grand-cru-course-handlebar-classic-round-bend.html

Note that the Compass clamp is 25.4 mm while that of the VO model is 26.0; also that the VO comes in wider sizes.

You can see what I mean from this photo: 

http://www.compasscycle.com/images/handlebars_gb_maes_para_r.jpg

I've not used the VOs myself and can only comment on the Compasses. I find the narrow (37 or 38 at hoods versus the 42s they replaced) ramps/hoods very natural; the ends of the hooks are some 4 mm longer and they too feel very natural. If by "wider flare" you refer to these, you don't need to worry: the flare is very slight. 

I've not used the Randonneurs; I do like the Noodles very much for bikes on which I place the bar higher. Again, the flare seems perfectly natural.

[rob markwardt]

I've got a Nitto Rando's on my Bleriot, Noodles on my Riv Road, and
Dream bars on my Paramount. I think the Rando's are the most
comfortable but they are also the narrowest. I've ridden them for
several years now so they feel like a pair of old shoes after riding
my other bikes. The Noodles are very comfortable but I wish the drops
were a tad longer. The Dreams are fine but the ramps aren't as flat
as the other two...not really an issue though as I done some of my
longest rides on these bars and they felt fine. If you made me pick
one it would be the Rando bars but in a wider version...which,
coincidentally, I just purchased for my latest project.

[grant]

The 177 and 185 have several diffs. Ramp is the most obvious. The 15-deg slant back is less obvious. THe 4-deg flare is yet a third diff. The 185 is measured to the ends; the 177, to the center of the curve (that is a measuring diff, not a bar diff).
We specify center of curve measurement so as not to give a false reading feeling suggestion by measuring it at the ends.
Nitto Rando bars are measured at the ends, so a 45--which flares a lot--feels like a 42.
To many people the up-hump on the Rando bar is awkward. Others don't seem to mind.

[Tim McNamara]

On Oct 6, 2012, at 8:45 PM, rw1911 wrote:

> Can anyone comment with their real-world experience using both (all
> three) bars?

My experience is that the shallower drop bars are really uncomfortable to ride in the drops. I have big hands (and long arms at 6'3" or 6'4") and they get sort of pinched in the curve, resulting in numbness and pain.

IMHO if a reasonably deep drop (150 mm- the old Cinellis were 160 mm IIRC) is uncomfortably low when riding in the hooks, then your handlebar is too low to begin with. You should be able to ride for an hour at a time comfortably in the drops. Of course, the modern trend is to set the bars to be pretty aero when riding on the hoods- this has been the case especially since Ergo and STI were introduced because the big hoods are so much more comfortable than the old non-aero hoods were. But that makes even a shallow drop pretty low once you get down into the drops. I think that's why we're seeing such short drop bars and "ergo bends" to reduce the hand pinching.

The last comfortable bar for me was the 46 cm Nitto 175, of which I have only three or four left and I have read that no more are being made.

Being a big guy I found the Randonneurs too narrow at the hoods, but my wife (5'10") loves them. I think they are her favorite bars. They have a certain classic look to them, too.

Tim

[PATRICK MOORE]

This must depend on your hand size because I find shallow drop bars very comfortable, as I've said many times about the Maes Parallel design (125 mm drop). 

Segwaying: I am amazed when I see the specs for some modern bars with drops that are like mail slots. I've not tried such bars, though.

On Sun, Oct 7, 2012 at 12:32 PM, Tim McNamara <tim...@bitstream.net> wrote:

 

My experience is that the shallower drop bars are really uncomfortable to ride in the drops.  I have big hands (and long arms at 6'3" or 6'4") and they get sort of pinched in the curve, resulting in numbness and pain.

[Steve Palincsar]

On Sun, 2012-10-07 at 12:41 -0600, PATRICK MOORE wrote:
> This must depend on your hand size because I find shallow drop bars
> very comfortable, as I've said many times about the Maes Parallel
> design (125 mm drop).
>

Sure. If you have a medium to large hand, there isn't the room for a
fist in the hook of a shallow drop bar. If you have small hands, it's a
different story. Also, it depends on how you use your bars.

>
> Segwaying: I am amazed when I see the specs for some modern bars with
> drops that are like mail slots. I've not tried such bars, though.

Many modern users never seem to stray much from the hoods -- which, to
be fair, are far larger in height and diameter than traditional brake
levers -- and never ever ride in the drops or near the bar ends.

[PATRICK MOORE]

Medium? My hands are medium.

On Sun, Oct 7, 2012 at 1:05 PM, Steve Palincsar <pali...@his.com> wrote:

Sure.  If you have a medium to large hand, there isn't the room for a
fist in the hook of a shallow drop bar.  If you have small hands, it's a
different story.  Also, it depends on how you use your bars.

--
Vote early, vote often, vote Rhinoceros!

http://tinyurl.com/d7muj2t

[Tim McNamara]

I'm sure you're right. I am a moose with big mitts. Given the decreasing availability of "deep" drop bars and the almost universal prevalence of "shallow" drop bars, I suspect that the majority of folks find them to be fine.

[Tim McNamara]

That's my observation- and my own experience- too. There are many rides that I never get down into the drops. For that matter, there are many bikes rides I don't shift gears in 40 miles. Much of the terrain around here doesn't require it.

[Jeremy Till]

I don't think you can generalize that big hands will like big drop bars, and that anybody who isn't comfortable in deep drops isn't fit right.  I'm a big guy (6'3") with big hands, and I like the contemporary "short and shallow" bars. 

In my experience, bars are like saddles--an intensely personal choice that can vary even between folks of similar body type. 

[Bill M.]

I've had both Noodles (42 cm) and 135 Rando's for many years.  Be aware that the width of the 135's is measured at the ends of the drops.  They measure 38 cm at the brake levers.  My Noodles are 42 at the levers, 43 at the drops.  If you like the 46 Noodles, you'll likely find the Rando's way too narrow.  

That said, the 135's ramps and drops are both very comfortable.  I think they are at their best when set high enough that the drops are viable for long distance cruising and short, sharp climbs.  I have the Rando's on my commuter, and find the narrow hoods to be fine, but I find anything over a 42 cm drop bar to be too wide.  

If you want to try a bar with a bit more flare, consider the Salsa Cowbell.  It only comes in 31.8 mm and black, but It has a very nice flare to the drops. 

Bill

On Saturday, October 6, 2012 6:45:36 PM UTC-7, rw1911 wrote:

[Stonehog]

I have tried Noodles in 46 and 42, Rando 45cm B135, and a B115 that was 38 or 39. I have small hands and my shoulders are about 46cm (according to my daughter's measurement). I found the following:

1. I felt the ramps interfered/bumped my forearms when I was in the drops of the 46's.

2. The Randos fit better, but I couldn't use the top flats as they turned my arms too inward.

3. The B115s were nice - did a 200k with no discomfort - but they are from an older Soma eighties road bike and were a bit scuffed, so the trust wasn't there. 

4. Replaced them with 42 Noodles. So far they are great. I like a deep drop as I only use it when I have a headwind.  In those cases , the lower the better. 

I also tried a Gary dirt-drop style bar briefly, but it was too wide, and the drops were too angled for me. 

Mobile Brian Hanson

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/jQuciARJMzgJ.

[rw1911]

Thanks all, very informative. After learning the differences in how
the bars are measured, I think the Randos would be much too narrow for
my taste.

[Jay LePree]

I have ridden the 135 bar and absolutely loved it.  The drops reached back very far, and this would allow me shift way back on my saddle and still have a great grip on the bar when I became tired.  I switched to Noodles after putting on the Silver Shifter Barends because I was concerned that the extended reach back of the bars, coupled with the barends would have me hitting the barends.

Regards,

Jay

Demarest, Nj

[Matt Beebe]

I tried the 135 Randonneur bars once but did not like the upsweep on them that much.    Definitely prefer the slight back-sweep of the the Noodle.    I'm weird about width however because, though I'm 6'0.5" tall I have a narrow bird body with narrow shoulders, so 42cm Noodles feel plenty wide to me.   Tried 46's, even toured cross continent on them but in the end they are just too wide for me.   Noodles are tough bars but I still hope Riv comes out with a steel version one day.

-Matt

[Peter Pesce]

I actually have both 46 Noodles and 45 Randos. Surprisingly, even though I'm 6'3" I find the Randos more comfortable despite their being only 38cm at the hoods. Go figure. I use the drops less than 1% of the time, so I can't really comment. Also I ride almost 100% paved road, but I can see the wider bar being a big help off-road.

Pete in CT

On Saturday, October 6, 2012 9:45:36 PM UTC-4, rw1911 wrote:

[Toshi Takeuchi]

I'm 5' 7" and normally use 42 cm bars, but I got the 45 cm Rando and they feel good. I couldn't recommend them for people who prefer wider bars, but I guess it works just fine for Pete, so as always YMMV.

Toshi