Question re drop bar to Albastache bar conversion

[Jim S.]

Hi, I wonder if anyone has converted from drop bars to albastache bars. If so, here's my question:

If the stem length with (Nitto Noodle) drop bars is a good fit, when switching to albastache bars, should I expect to use a longer stem, the same stem, or a shorter stem? 

And if the stem length changes, how many cm change would you anticipate?

Thank you in advance for any insights.

[Jason Fuller]

Hi Jim, 

My experience with the Albastache is that the same stem as drops is a very good starting place, and probably you'll be happy with it.  Holding the bar near the ends is a lot like riding the 'flats' of the Noodle bar in terms of reach, but with the benefit of more width.  And hands in the 'front' of the Albastache is pretty close to being in the hoods, from my recollection. 

If you ride in the drops more often than I do, maybe a slightly longer stem will end up being preferred, but I'd say run the stem you have first!  

[Ben Miller]

Check it out on Whatbars. You're definitely going to want a longer stem if you expect to have similar hand placement.

[Joe Bernard]

That's not an Albastache, looks like an Albatross or Billie. Drop and 'stache generally use the same stem, in my case I actually needed one shorter and raised higher than a Noodle. 

[Ben Miller]

Enh, I probably had too much wine celebrating my anniversary with my wife. That's why I said "check out Whatbars," Both are one there. I probably selected the albatross. But the reach of a noodle is definitely longer than an albastache. 

Ben still drinking whiskey in SF celebrating 1 year with his wife

[Ben Miller]

Here ya go. 90% sure this is right

[Kainalu V. -Brooklyn NY]

More reach out on the noodle bars, but with the flat orientation of the brake a person can extend over the front with more comfort than with the noodle oriented levers. Might make a difference depending on your feels. Starting with what you’ve got as far as stems is always a good path. The newer albastaches are 25.4 I think? That makes stem swapping easier. My oldies are 26.0…

-Kai

[Zachary Cannon]

 I love what bars but I feel experientially (without any other evidence) that the relationship to moustache bars (both og and albastache) is such that they'll feel better with a slightly shorter stem than a noodle. OG moustaches needed even more. 

I like the idea of starting with what you have but I predict you'll want to go shorter.

I speculate this has something to do with how all the positions interface and the position I take on the hoods of a moustache (elbows very bent and tucked in and narrow almost like on aerobars) vs in the drops. In fact, maybe that's the analog: how much better aero bars and Jones work with a short reach and high stack. 

Good luck! Zach in ABQ who loves the love of moustache bars (not moustaches themselves) but finds them hard to dial in.

[Joe Bernard]

I think the most forward "in the drops" position gets used more often on 'stache than on drop bars, hen e the need for a slightly shorter stem. 

[Bill Lindsay]

Rivendell unearthed a box of New Old Stock Moustache bars!  That's a unique opportunity to get retro-weird!  

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Will Mill]

@ Jim S: 

Short answer: +1 for Jason's "same stem as drops is a very good starting place."

Longer answer: I may also depend on how horizontal (closer to you) vs. "downward sloping" (longer reach) you want to run the bar ends. The advice of the good people at Riv ("We recommend a stuffy stem. Try a 5cm to 8cm max") is a little misleading 'cuz it's absolute and not relative to what stem is good for your drop bars. I regretted this advice when I swapped Noodle + 100mm Technomic --> Albastache + 80mm Tallux.  Moving the clamp 20mm closer put the bars too close.  (imagine in Ben's most recent WhatBars screenshot sliding the Albastache clamp 20mm behind the Noodle's).  I ended up moving the Albastache's forward with a longer-reach stem, and moving the saddle a back with a longer setback.  Cheers. Will M in NY 

[John Johnson]

I've converted from a Noodle bar to an Albastache bar on my XO-2. I did not change the stem length and I found the reach "just perfect". The Albastache puts you a little more upright position, but not necessarily further forward/backward. Try it with the stem you got! And if that doesn't work you can mess around with other options.

cheers,

John (who eventually put Bullmoose, Albatross, then finally/currently Heron bars on that same XO-2)

[Jim S.]

thank you all for the incredibly helpful insights.

[Corwin Zechar]

Hi Jim -

My experience mirrors Jason's. I generally like similar stem lengths on Albastache and drops.

Regards,

Corwin

On Sunday, October 12, 2025 at 5:21:28 PM UTC-7 Jason Fuller wrote: