Rivs with the Jones Loop/Bend H-Bar (Map/Ahearne too)

[Tim O. (Portland, OR)]

Hey, Y'all-

I got ants in my pants for some new handlebars. I've been riding the Albatross bars since last spring and I love the upright riding position. Plus, they're gorgeous/comfy. Although, ever since I've got them I wished they were wider. Probably didn't help that I was riding the Bullmoose bars before them or that I have wide shoulders. The Albatross performed well some long rides and varied terrain,but I wish I could get out of the saddle more comfortably.

Anyway, now that VO has their quill stem with 31.8 clamp, I'm considering the Jones H-bar. I'm thinking of the loop or the bend in 710mm. My biggest hesitation is that I think they look kind of funny! I hate to write that out loud, but it's true. The shape and the 31.8 clamp seem like they could clash on a Riv set up. I thought the Map/Ahearne bars would be a good solution, but they hand position wouldn't really be wider that the Albatross.

Anyone have the Jones loop or bend on their Riv that would be willing to sharing photos/experiences? Convince me to stop putting fashion over function? Or maybe you're Jones h-bar/Riv set up is gorgeous AND functional?

Anyone want to convince me the Map/Ahearne bar is the way to go? Would the angle of the hand position be enough to solve the issue even though they aren't much wider?

Thanks!
Tim
Portland, OR

[Eric Daume]

Hey Tim,

I love the looks of Albas, but I find them much too narrow.

The Loop is a great bar. I thought that same about the appearance at first, but it grew on me.

Also check out the Surly Open Bar. It's swept back like the Albatross bar, but much wider at 666mm.

If you like the MAP Ahearne bend, it looks pretty close to the On One Mary/Soma Clarence, except those bars are also wider at around 645mm.

It's funny, I have a Mary bar that I like quite a bit. I originally used it for mountain biking, but now it feels too narrow for that, and about the right width for a city bike. My expectations for bars are getting wider along with my tires.

Eric

Portland, OR

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

[iamkeith]

Second eric's suggestion of the surly open bar. It's kind of awkward looking too, but a really nice width and shape in use. At least it's 25.4, and you could always wrap it in bar tape.

SOMA has a new bar called the Osprey, that is available in 25.4 and silver finish, albeit the cheap "shot peened" type. It is very similar to a jones bar (or a wider mary). I could take a picture of the two side by side if interested. (I stupidly bought a 31.8 version, and am searching for a place to use it)

For many years, i was adamant about having different bars on all my bikes for variety's sake (per sheldon's advice), and to help justify what would otherwise be redundancy.

Once i got used to the jones bar though (on my jones frame), i found that nothing else "measured up" and all felt awkward, so i simply wouldnt ride those bikes. So I'm slowly ending up with multiples of the forementioned bars. I do struggle with the clunky look of 31.8 bars on otherwise graceful rivs, but Im going to get a 2.5 loop like Joe's for my snow bike that has a too-low front end.

Keep in mind that not all bikes or riding types are suitable for these bars. They work best with semi-upright but still-aggressive or mountain bike type positions.

On a related note, after trying them on at least a half-dozen other bikes, i DID finally just find a place to successfully use albatross bars: my old, NORBA (Grant) era MB-1. Because those bikes were essentially road bikes, they work well with narrow handlebars. Trick was getting the height correct to put just the right amount of forward lean and weight on them, to steady the twitchy steering.

Otherwise, as ive agreed many times, a (much) wider albatross would be the perfect bar on almost everything else. Beautiful AND usable.

[Jay Connolly]

I love the Jones and have the 710 Loop on my Joe. When the announced the Jones Loop 2.5, I ordered one immediately and will probably use it on my Beargrease this winter. I have a 64 Clem L on order and will be using a Soma Osprey on that bike. The Osprey is very close to the Jones, without the loop feature. On anything that will be used for long distances, I really like the loop because it gives a couple of extra hand positions.

Jay

[Mike Williams]

I second the Soma Osprey bar. Comes in 25.4 clamp, silver, 710mm wide, 40 degree sweep( Jones bars are 45 degree sweep). The Soma Osprey is a really great feeling bar!!

Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 22, 2017, at 5:26 AM, Jay Connolly <jayco...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I love the Jones and have the 710 Loop on my Joe. When the announced the Jones Loop 2.5, I ordered one immediately and will probably use it on my Beargrease this winter. I have a 64 Clem L on order and will be using a Soma Osprey on that bike. The Osprey is very close to the Jones, without the loop feature. On anything that will be used for long distances, I really like the loop because it gives a couple of extra hand positions.
>
> Jay
>
>

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

> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
> To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.

[Tim O. (Portland, OR)]

The Soma Osprey does seem to fit the bill. I'm not sure how I missed that one when I was researching bars.

Jay:Thanks for the feedback. Do you have pictures of your Joe with the Jones?

Cheers,
Tim

[Jay Connolly]

Here you go . . .

[Joe Bernard]

Hey Jay, those are the silicone grips, right? How do you like them?

[Jay Connolly]

Yes. They're the Chucky, not the extra chunky. I have the EC on my Jones and like them more. When I ordered the new bar, I also ordered two sets of the new grips they're selling--one set of the softer ones (clear) and a set of the firmer model (black). Both are 34mm, I believe, which makes them the equivalent of the extra chunky. One set will go on the Ospry bar when the Clem L shows up.

Jay

[Chris Birkenmaier]

Jay your bike looks really nice. I have the Jones loop on my Jones bike. I’ll have to consider it on my Joe as I do like the bar very much

[Philip Kim]

I love the loop bars. 660 was plenty wide for me, especially if you plan on doing any city riding

[Joe Bernard]

Yes, 660 is plenty for my little arms, with the ideal grip position (after one ride anyway) being slightly inboard of the ends. The sweepback seems perfect; I've never gone my first 10 miles on a new shape without *some* wrist or palm pain. I was shocked.

[Justin, Oakland]

I use the wider ones on my trail bike (Rigid Salsa El mar) and they are perfecto. I ride the wide (but not jones wide) MAP bars on my Saluki and they are nearly perfecto. Great complimentary combo and they look A++ with that quill 31.8 Stem Jay!

-J

[Kainalu V.]

That's just about perfect.
-Kai
BK NY

[Benz, Sunnyvale, CA]

Hi Jay, if you don't mind me asking, how long have you had that setup and what kind of riding do you do? I'm asking as I bought that 31.8mm clamp quill stem, but realized thereafter that they use two M4 bolts to clamp the handlebar. That's a bit tiny compared to the normal Nitto stuff. Do you find that sturdy enough (i.e., slip-free)?

[Jay Connolly]

Benz, the Joe has been that way for a couple of months. I used a drop bar for a while but have enjoyed the bike much more with the Jones. I use the bike as a hauler at our cottage. Lots of bad pavement on narrow roads, with bail-out roadside trails for when the traffic is heavy, so the bike takes lots of knocks. It also has me yanking and pushing on the bars when I stand, and I’m a super-duper Clyde. I had the same initial reaction as you to the two-bolt system but have had no issues. I bought the Joe to be my touring bike, but life got in the way of a planned tour last summer. Will definitely tour with the Jones bar.

[Philip Kim]

forgot to attach pics.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BIdW3E0AhoZ/?taken-by=philipwkim (map ahearne 610mm)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BHLEbCnhzEs/?taken-by=philipwkim (jones loop bars 660mm)

[Brendan McD]

Tim,

I also feel like I'm always in a search for the "perfect" handlebar, and frequently find reasons to change them. I currently have the widest Bosco bar on my Hunq, which is great, but does come waaay back and doesn't do me many favors when riding off road. I've also happily used the Bullmoose, which fits much like my favorite bar: the Simworks Getaround. It's wide, the grip angle fits me perfect, and it has plenty of space for levers and shifters. Definitely check their bars out. They have some funky shapes, but are made by Nitto and therefore I think they mostly still look "right" on a Riv.

I also have stashed 710mm Jones bars and 31.8mm On One Mary's. I'm also in Portland and would happily invite you to come check out any bars in my collection. Feel free to message me off-list if you're interested.

Brendan

Portland, OR

[Brencho]

jay, how do you like those pedals? i've been very curious about them, but they'd be a pricey experiment unless they do returns. 

also this is a timely thread, i just talked to mike recently about the osprey and i'm pretty sold on them. just haven't gotten around to the swap yet. 

[Jay Connolly]

Love the pedals. There’s a thread about them somewhere here. I bought them because I have size 14 feet and suffer from hotfoot when I use flat pedals. They ARE spendy, the moreso in Canadian dollars. I have several bikes but only one set of those pedals. Really, they are aimed (in my world) at touring.

Jay

[Benz, Sunnyvale, CA]

Thanks Jay! Glad to hear the bolts of the F5 Titan stem held up to rough use. I too am contemplating a Jones bar, and that was the only thing holding me back.

[Irving]

There are alternatives to the F5 Titan Stem in the 31.8mm quill variety in the form of Velo Orange and the Nitto UI-12. Benefits include removeable faceplates.

I've been considering Jonesifying my Hunqapillar for awhile but this thread may have pushed me over the top!

[M G]

An endorsement for the Sycip single bar....no rise, very wide, shallow sweep back, made by nitto (and i like their wonder bar also).   Ron

[Joe Bernard]

Holy crap, Jay, I hope I like the Chunky silicone grips 'cause I'm NEVER sliding those suckers on again! I'm used to my trusty bolt-on Ergons and haven't wrestled with slide-on grips in years. "Pour alcohol on bar and in grips and slide on in one motion." HA. More like slide on in 500 itty-bitty motions while slowly collapsing to the floor. Hey Jeff Jones, make some long bolt-on grips, man!

[Bill Lindsay]

The pro way to install grips is with compressed air.  Your basic $50 compressor comes with a narrow blower nozzle. With that inside the grip you pull the trigger of your compressor nozzle and the grip slides on literally on a cushion of air. Before I could afford the $40 to buy a small compressor, I'd always go back to my old bike shop to blow grips on. Tubeless setup is also far more likely to work if you have a compressor with that blower nozzle. 

The worst, impossible to install 'grips' back in the day were Grab-Ons:

Those things were impossible.  

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Joe Bernard]

Oof, Grab-Ons. My hands hurt just from *looking* at that picture.

[Tim O. (Portland, OR)]

I opted for the Soma Osprey bars, even though I wished they were a little prettier. They feel fantastic based on my initial impression. Thanks for all the feedback folks! 

Here's a picture of them on today: https://www.instagram.com/p/BasMTijBzs6/?taken-by=hunqaloosa

Cheers, 

Tim 

[Jay Connolly]

Joe, it seems to me that when I followed the standard instructions, my experience was much like yours. Then I wanted to take them off, which I managed by opening a gap between the grip and bar with an 18" zip tie and squirting in some soap and water, then working the grip. It took a while. I used the soap and water again to reinstall them. There can be some play until the soap evaporates, but it was much easier. I'm a chronic tinkerer, but the Jones grips make me think very carefully about what I want before making the commitment of installation.

Jay

[Jeremy Till]

Sounds like I'm a little late to the party here but I recently installed my Jones Loop 710's on my Clem using one of the aforementioned VO 31.8 quill stems with removable faceplate:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BY8gwuBFwSv/

So far, I'm really enjoying this setup.  Like you, I've done a lot of riding with the traditional Rivendell upright bars (Albatross and Bosco), and the Jones, while looking completely different, feels like the natural evolution of those setups.  I was always looking for more width, and the Jones has that in spades.  My hands also seem to prefer the more flared out (rather than straight back) angle to the grips. In between Boscos and Jones, I had been riding some cheapo upright bars that were similar to Albatrosses but with a more flared grip area (see http://handlebarchronicles.blogspot.com/2015/08/requiem-for-handlebar-avenir-circa-bar.html).  The 45 degree grip area on the Jones feels just right, so good that I rarely feel the need to switch up my hand position, but when I do, grabbing right in front of the cross piece feels so good.  I've done some flattish/windy road and gravel rides with the Jones and they definitely feel like an upright bar you could ride for a long, long time. 

Oh, and they're killer on singletrack, especially tight switchbacks, but that's pretty common knowledge already. 

Let us know how you like the Ospreys!  I was eyeing those recently for a different bike. 

[iamkeith]

Damn, that's a nice looking bike! Looks like it fits well, too. I don't usually like black components. But that is a tasteful combination.

[Philip Kim]

If anyone is looking, I have a 610mm MAP bars in silver. They were a bit too wide for my build. Can trade for a used 570mm in silver, or can sell for $27 plus shipping from 22204

picture 1

picture 2

picture 3

[Coal Bee Rye Anne]

On Sunday, October 22, 2017 at 4:18:38 AM UTC-4, Tim O. (Portland, OR) wrote:
> Hey, Y'all-
>
> I got ants in my pants for some new handlebars. I've been riding the Albatross bars since last spring and I love the upright riding position. Plus, they're gorgeous/comfy. Although, ever since I've got them I wished they were wider. Probably didn't help that I was riding the Bullmoose bars before them or that I have wide shoulders. The Albatross performed well some long rides and varied terrain,but I wish I could get out of the saddle more comfortably.
Thought I’d share another Jones equipped Riv Clem H... a 65cm beast named Lil’ Herman Clemmington. I’m reviving an old thread but was all set to start my own with a longer narrative but accidentally lost it all when I went to switch over to desktop mode from mobile so that I could attach a photo... hadn’t tried making the switch mid post before and didn’t realize text got wiped like that and I’m not inclined to rewrite everything at the moment. Hope the pic loads ok but if not I’ll delete. This is at our local park alongside an old radio tower foundation where first international phone calls were made pre-WWII. Lots of these ruins out in the grasses along a stretch of trail.

Brian Cole
Lawrenceville NJ>
> Anyway, now that VO has their quill stem with 31.8 clamp, I'm considering the Jones H-bar. I'm thinking of the loop or the bend in 710mm. My biggest hesitation is that I think they look kind of funny! I hate to write that out loud, but it's true. The shape and the 31.8 clamp seem like they could clash on a Riv set up. I thought the Map/Ahearne bars would be a good solution, but they hand position wouldn't really be wider that the Albatross.
>
> Anyone have the Jones loop or bend on their Riv that would be willing to sharing photos/experiences? Convince me to stop putting fashion over function? Or maybe you're Jones h-bar/Riv set up is gorgeous AND functional?
>
> Anyone want to convince me the Map/Ahearne bar is the way to go? Would the angle of the hand position be enough to solve the issue even though they aren't much wider?
>
> Thanks!
> Tim
> Portland, OR

[Coal Bee Rye Anne]

Apparently wrote my message in the middle of quoted text before so trying that again...

Thought I’d share another Jones equipped Riv Clem H... a 65cm beast named Lil’ Herman Clemmington. I’m reviving an old thread but was all set to start my own with a longer narrative but accidentally lost it all when I went to switch over to desktop mode from mobile so that I could attach a photo... hadn’t tried making the switch mid post before and didn’t realize text got wiped like that and I’m not inclined to rewrite everything at the moment. Hope the pic loads ok but if not I’ll delete. This is at our local park alongside an old radio tower foundation where first international phone calls were made pre-WWII. Lots of these ruins out in the grasses along a stretch of trail.

Brian Cole
Lawrenceville NJ

[Kevin Mulcahy]

It took me a long time to find the perfect reach and height for adapting my mtb to a Jones bar. For the benefit of the OP, does anyone have a have suggestions about how to setup a Jones bar? I ended up raising the stem about 2-3cm and shortening the reach a bit (this is on a contemporary mtb). 

[Coal Bee Rye Anne]

The Clem is only the 2nd bike I’ve tried them but both builds used effectively short reach riser stems. I can’t recall the exact spec of the stem currently in use but when measured at a 90degree/zero degree angle from quill bolt it’s about 6cm reach vs 12cm tallux that came stock with Bosco bar. The 2.5” riser Jones Bar also gets the grips nice and high with ease but yes, in my limited experience I’d think a shorter & taller stem would generally be called for. This bar paired nicely on a smaller frame with a spare FSA Metropolis tall stack stem with 90mm reach (less effective reach due to rise angle.)

Brian Cole
Lawrenceville NJ

[T Cal]

Howdy -- I have a bunch of bikes set up a bunch of ways.  I just did a quick measuring and almost all of them have a distance of 21-22" between the middle of the handlebar clamp to the tip of the saddle.  (FYI, I'm 6'3" with a pbh around 93cm.)  The two exceptions are:  my brompton has a distance of 20" and my mystery bike/appaloosa is close to 24" (it is the only bike with boscomoose bars on it.  all others are noodles, albatross, or one of the VO non-drop bars -- and two have jones loop-h bars).  The two bikes with jones loop-h bars are a Jones Ti LWB Plus and a Surly Pugsley.  both of those bikes are in the 21-22" clamp-to-saddle tip range, with bars set at saddle height.  Both bikes 'feel' very upright.  Bottom line:  as a starting point, I would recommend a bar clamp-to-saddle tip distance that is in the same range as your existing bikes that you find comfortable.

Re: the jones loop-h bars.  I've tried them on a townie bike and didn't much care for them.  I love them on the Jones and Pugsley, but haven't really liked them in other applications.

Ty

On Sunday, October 22, 2017 at 1:18:38 AM UTC-7, Tim O. (Portland, OR) wrote:

Hey, Y'all-

I got ants in my pants for some new handlebars. I've been riding the Albatross bars since last spring and I love the upright riding position. Plus, they're gorgeous/comfy. Although, ever since I've got them I wished they were wider. Probably didn't help that I was riding the Bullmoose bars before them or that I have wide shoulders. The Albatross performed well some long rides and varied terrain,but I wish I could get out of the saddle more comfortably.

Anyway, now that VO has their quill stem with 31.8 clamp, I'm considering the Jones H-bar. I'm thinking of the loop or the bend in 710mm. My biggest hesitation is that I think they look kind of funny! I hate to write that out loud, but it's true. The shape and the 31.8 clamp seem like they could clash on a Riv set up. I thought the Map/Ahearne bars would be a good solution, but they hand position wouldn't really be wider that the Albatross.

[Lester Lammers]

Bars are a very personal thing. What frame do you have?

[Jonathan D.]

I was wondering if anyone else had any experience with the Jones bars on a Rivendell. I was considering building a Sam with the Jones bars (SG 2.5) or putting them on a BMC Monstercross. I would love hear impressions. Also I would be interested in purchasing a used pair if someone has one.

[Justin, Oakland]

Talk to @swwirving on instagram. He has them on his Hunq.

[tc]

The Jones Loop is a fantastic bar. I put one on a Clem H using a 4-bolt Nitto UI-12 stem since I wanted a more solid clamp for gravel and single track. I have since sold it (not because of the Jones bar ... perfect for it).

See this thread, with link to pics on the last post.

https://groups.google.com/forum/m/#!searchin/rbw-owners-bunch/Jones$20bar/rbw-owners-bunch/jm-Ea-zFKiA

Tom

[tc]

Oops, bad link from cell phone in my post.  Hopefully this will work:

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/rbw-owners-bunch/jm-Ea-zFKiA/8C3CLV-OBAAJ

[Irving]

I've had Albatrosses on my previous Cheviot and had Chocomoose bars on my Hunq previously. I love the Jones bars and have been riding them all year on various dirt rides and tours in the Bay Area.

Some quick thoughts: 

• the Nitto UI-12 is a great 4 bolt stem but it doesn't have a tall quill height if you need to get the bars UP
• The nickel plating on the VO 31.8 quill stem is fantastic and it goes really well with the finish on the Jones SG bars
  
• If I were to do it over, I'd just get the H-Bend bars... but the Loop bars have the extra kooky factor and the 2.5 is next level

[Jonathan D.]

Nice photo. I saw a BMC MC as well. How do you think the Jones bars would work on a Monstercross? Debating going with drops or Jones it. I might post a WTB.

[tc]

Good point about the shorter column height on the UI-12, Irving. I found it just fine though because:
- The Jones bar comes back pretty far. Plenty.
- My UI-12 had a short 60mm center bolt-to-clamp length

The good thing is that there are several bar and clamp options to get a Jones bar on a Riv and then go enjoy the heck out of it!

Tom

[Eric Daume]

I've used Jones bars on both my Clem and my BMC Monstercross (you see them here). I really enjoy the bar on both bikes:

- on the BMC, I find myself shifting around a lot less than I do on drops. The Jones give me two or three very solid hand positions.

- on the Clem, the Jones are far, far superior to the Boscos, which I never liked .I found the Boscos' position to be to be either too upright (ends), too slippery (forward bend), or too narrow (flats near stem). Lots of real estate, none of it valuable. OTOH, the Jones bars give you a great, upright, in-control position (on the ends), a fine cruising position (at the crosspiece weld), and an acceptable aero position (forward loop).

With the Clem's longer top tube, I run the Jones bar with a 60mm stem. On the shorter BMC, I used a 100mm stem.

Eric

On Mon, Aug 6, 2018 at 1:15 AM, Jonathan D. <jdone...@gmail.com> wrote:

I was wondering if anyone else had any experience with the Jones bars on a Rivendell. I was considering building a Sam with the Jones bars (SG 2.5) or putting them on a BMC Monstercross. I would love hear impressions. Also I would be interested in purchasing a used pair if someone has one.

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

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.

[Jonathan D.]

Eric. Thanks for the ride reports. I really enjoyed the Clem right up and enjoy the blog. I would be curious to know why you sold the Jones. I am thinking of rounding out my bikes with a Jones. I currently have a Joe, Romulus and Monstercross, and I don’t think there would be much overlap with a Jones. This would mean selling a Rambouillet and Sam.

[Eric Daume]

I really enjoyed a lot about my Jones Plus. It was an amazing technical climber. It was one of the best descending bikes I’ve owned, rigid or suspended. Super comfortable. But, I found the inertia of the big 29+ wheel just too much for my relatively tight trails. I would steer for a sharp turn, and there was a definite lag as the wheel reacted. I’ve been riding B+ mtbs lately, and I find that wheel size a better balance of grip, comfort, and maneuverability. I’m think a Jones SWB might be the bike for me. 

A few other nitpicks about the Jones: the bottom bracket was borderline too low, even with the EBB in the up position. And the front through axle was a PITA to use. The little end caps would pop off when inserting a wheel. I think he uses a different through axle design now.  

Eric

On Monday, August 6, 2018, Jonathan D. <jdone...@gmail.com> wrote:

Eric. Thanks for the ride reports. I really enjoyed the Clem right up and enjoy the blog. I would be curious to know why you sold the Jones. I am thinking of rounding out my bikes with a Jones. I currently have a Joe, Romulus and Monstercross, and I don’t think there would be much overlap with a Jones. This would mean selling a Rambouillet and Sam.

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

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.

[S. Greco]

I'm a huge fan of the Ahearnes. They are the only bars that knocked Albatrosses off some of my bikes and replaced Jitensha bars (my other faves) on the other rides. They have enough room to run thumbies and/or a bell and still have a few comfortable hand positions. I've had both the wide and normal widths and didn't notice a huge difference. 

[Jonathan D.]

Erik - your die report makes me think the complete Jones SWB might be a great option. I am hoping there will be a few ride reports and maybe a used one will pop up.

[George Rosselle]

I received a Jones SWB on Monday, and rode it yesterday. It replaced a Marin Pine Mountain. I found it to be quicker steering than the Marin, a little bit lighter. I like it a lot. It did come with a rear wheel out of true and a warped front brake rotor, which I would have made a bike shop fix/replace had I bought it from a shop. I also found the chainline to favor the smaller cogs on the cassette, I can hear the chain grinding when in the largest three cogs. I suppose this is unavoidable with this size tire, when on the largest cog there is only 2mm clearance with the tire. So no moving the right crank in. I reckon this means a bit shorter cassette and chain life, since I do use those cogs. But overall I really enjoyed riding the bike on this first ride.

[George Rosselle]

Oh and I also have a Rosco Bubbe with the Ahearne bar. I tried a drop bar on it but just cannot get on with drop bars any more. The Ahearne works well on the bike, and reminds me of the 3spd Raleigh had when I was a kid. It is always an adventure when I ride that bike, same as when I was young.