New Rivendell Handlebars

[velomann]

At the bottom of Will's Friday email (9/26) he teased a new handlebar. I'm kind of excited by these. Judging from the picture they fill what I personally think is a gaping hole in Riv's handlebar offerings; a wide bar with a moderate sweep (25-35 degrees) that actually has some rise. I've ridden scads of bars, and currently have Bosco, Billy, and Albatross bars, a couple sets of Noodles, VO Granola bars and Seine bars, Ritchey Koyote bars, and Jones bars.

For me, when I'm not riding a drop bar bike, I find my sweet spot in the 25-35 degree sweep - the On-One Marys and the VO Seines are about perfect for me. The Boscos, Billys, and Albatross are great for upright casual cruising, but feel weird to me when the terrain gets steeper (up or down).

These new bars look to have a similar sweep, some rise, and must be pretty wide given that they're heat-treated AND Nitto apparently had to source some new bar stock to meet their own quality control.

Mike M

[J S]

I've been very happy with the Choco bars after riding Albatross for years but it would be interesting to see a side by side. I cannot go any wider due to room in my sunroom where I keep my bikes in riding season.

[Bill Shaw]

Not sure if you've used https://whatbars.com/ for a handlebar comparison, but it's a great tool. Very addictive, so be warned! :)

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[Nick Shoemaker]

I'm also excited to see the specs on these! I can't quite tell how wide they are, but hoping for something ~700mm that doesn't require an O/S stem. I'm currently running Soma Ospreys which are 710mm x 40-degree sweep and they feel pretty great for less-than-casual riding off-road. Something similar with a Nitto finish sounds dreamy...

On Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 7:22:14 PM UTC-4 velomann wrote:

[Johnny Alien]

I love the look of them but the only possible bike that I could put these on is my Clem and the tosco bars are just so nice on it I don't think I want to try anything else.

[Dan]

Will’s email last week featured a drawing of the new bars. 

Key specs include a 680mm width and 50 degree backsweep. 

I’m very tempted to try these on my Appaloosa when they come out! They look like a nice step towards the spirited end of riding from my ultra-cruisy Ron’s Ortho bars, which I love, but want to try something different after two years. Without being too different. 

[Armand Kizirian]

I rode the prototype of these on Roman's Sam the last (and first!) time I visited RBW HQ in the Fall. I really liked them quite a lot. Will definitely be experimenting with them when they come out, also looking to switch things up from my Ortho's, which I love, but would like my Platypus to be a little less cruisey/upright and a bit more lively/spirited these days. 

[Andy Beichler]

 I like the extended grip area.  That leaves plenty of area in front of the grips.  I like using that area while standing for climbs.  

Are these bars bar end shifter compatible?

[Scott Garrison]

They remind me a lot of the VO Granola bar I'm running on my Sam, which I really love. 

[Russell Duncan]

I already have something like this new Rivendell handlebar on two of my bicycles (at least they look a lot alike to me) and one on my partner’s bicycles, the Ahearne+Map bars.  We like them a lot. 

Russell Duncan

Connecticut River Valley, Massachusetts