Dirt droppish questions for smallish impulse buy

[Lucky]

Greetings all, allow me to introduce myself as I never really have, but now I need advice and figure I’m more likely to get it with a proper hallo first.
I got into Bridgestones in my teens (late 80’s early 90’s) and eventually Rivendell, as is often the way. I like steel bikes of this aesthetic and currently in the garage have an early Atlantis, my college race bike MB-1, Bianchi San Jose with a porteur bar, and so on. I like sitting up now due to a variety of injuries I have incurred over the years.
So today I did that thing we all do occasionally, which was purchase a bike I’ve coveted for years: a nearly all original Specialized RockCombo, knowing it wouldn’t fit right. Now. I know that I’m between sizes in RockCombos, and also that they’re pretty scarce, so I bought this one which is just a hair small. But...not really, with the stock bar. But I dislike this bar.

Finally! The point of my rambling. Since I brought the bike home I have tried the following bars with stock stem, in lieu of the too narrow stock Specialized BB dirt drop: MTB riser, Northroad, Mustache, VO Porteur...none of these are right. The bike was made for a dirt drop and I want to sit up so...what are my options? (Besides selling, smarty pants)
Another consideration is the stem is 80mm so I could grab some length that way.
Anyhow, thoughts on various bars please?

Appreciate any input.

[Bill Lindsay]

Pictures of the target bike is step 1

Photos of the bike(s) that actually fit you is step 2

Looking forward to it...

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Lucky]

Well, while I can (likely) do this (pending checking out the process to put pics here) I can also say that the bikes that fit me are nothing like this bike in geometry/layout...so that's possibly unhelpful? 

This is a 19" RockCombo, and I ride an 18" MB-1 and a 53cm Atlantis. My MB-1 is set up with Titec riser bars and the Atlantis with Albatross bars and an 80mm dirtdrop stem. 

But, if you want to look at bike pics, I can do that. Thanks!

--Lucky

[Philip Williamson]

I second Bill’s request for pictures of your bikes. A 19” Rock Combo doesn’t sound like it should be too small, if you ride a 53cm Atlantis.

I like Midge bars and current-model Nitto RM-3 bars. They are both flared, shallow drops. You may still need a taller stem, like a VO Cigne to get the bars way up there, if you no longer like to ride leaned over. Analog makes some very very short stems that could bring the bars back close to you, which would let you sit up straight.

Low offset Jack Taylor stem: https://www.ebay.com/itm/274204241275
Low and zero offset Analog stems: https://www.analogcycles.com/product/analog-wright-stem/
Threadless Cigne stem: https://velo-orange.com/collections/stems/products/cigne-stem
Quill-threadless adapter: https://www.ebay.com/itm/254222838251

You could measure the distance from saddle center to main grip area on your other bikes, as well as BB to grip and see how far off the new bike is from your comfortable reference. It may be that you can’t get drops high enough on this bike to make you comfortable.


Philip
Santa Rosa, CA

[Lucky]

Yes! Pics are coming! I had to drop the bike at a repair shop friend because I didn’t have the tool to service the bottom bracket. But prior to this I rode it in stock configuration and I don’t actually think it’s too small. I think I had to adjust to its design. I think the stem is high enough but the reach is a bit long. And the drops are too deep. But once I have it back I will take pics.

I just want to hear about different types of dirt drop-pish bars. Maybe a bit more shallow?

[Bill Lindsay]

I have had good results with the Salsa Cowchipper, which I use for builds that are more roadish, but that will be used on trails some of the time.  I have set up my first drop bar mountain bike, and used the Salsa Woodchipper for that build.  I think of the Woodchipper as more of a pure drop-bar mountain bike shape. 

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[R. Alexis]

Hello!,

I have ridden a couple dirt drops the original Wilderness Trail Bike/Specialized/Nitto RM-3 Dirt Drop bar https://www.somafabshop.com/shop/product/nitto-handlebar-rm3-dirt-drop-2758?page=2&category=977. I have them on both my WTB Phoenix Steel and Ti along with my OX Brand Ti Cruiser with two more bike on deck to get them. I got a Gary Fisher tandem with a set of the bars that I plan on moving to my Heron Touring/Wayfarer and plan on building up my Ibis Mojo with a set. The other is the Nitto RM014 https://www.somafabshop.com/shop/product/nitto-handlebar-rm014f-dirt-drop-31-8mm-4117?page=3&category=977 that I have installed on my 1987 Schwinn Voyageur with a Velo-Orange Cigne stem. I have a set of the Salsa Woodchipper in in 25.4 clamp new in package.

I got both the Nitto RM 014 and Salsa Woodchipper before Nitto finally decided to reintroduce the RM-3. I was enamored by the first dirt drop bike I saw, a 1990 Trek 970 with WTB Shifter mounts owned by a bike shop manager I later worked under. When I ordered my Rivendell Mountain I got it with the thought of possibly using dirt drops in the future. I tried a standard drop on a bike years ago that I acquired with a frameset years ago, and I was not care for it. I have a variety of bars on bikes original Jones H-Bar J bend, Scott AT-3 bar, Schwinn 411 handlebar/basket combo https://bikerumor.com/2012/06/19/fun-new-bikes-from-schwinn/, Surly 1x1 Torsion bar and several flat bars with variety of bar ends and Moustache bars.

The RM 014 is working well for me.

Thanks,

Reginald Alexis

[Lucky]

Thanks!
I haven’t forgotten the pics. I’m on vacation and apparently can’t add pics on mobile.
I have the Atlantis with me and will have the RockCombo back when I get home. Then i can give it a proper test drive.
And take some pics.
I will say this: the Atlantis with dirt drop stem and Albatross bars...I’ve done it (for years) but it’s not really the leverage bar I need off road at this point.

[Lucky]

I want to thank those of you who chipped in on the handlebar question.

I think I have determined that this Rock Combo just doesn’t fit me, no matter what bar I put on it. So it is all back to stock, will be up for sale.

Thank goodness for my always perfect Atlantis.

If anyone’s always wanted a Rock Combo, let me know.