Blue Lug bars arrived today

[ant ritchey]

So I've been gravitating more and more towards flat bars. In a big way. I'm also a bit of a Nitto junkie.

I've always been a fan of 48 Noodles & Albatross bars. I never had a bike where a Bosco or Choco seemed appropriate. The "Jitensha" 2522AA bars are a really cool design/concept but at a wide-shouldered 6' 5" there was just no way they'd work for any kind of riding that I do. I really dug the Riv-spec Bullmoose on several of my '83, '84, '65 Trek 800 series rebuilds. 

I don't race. I don't own a car. I commute by bike. I also tour a lot and most of the long days in the saddle are "fully loaded" and off-pavement. I've now done multiple 7-14 day tours on the Sim Works Get Around bar. Zero hand cramps or comfort issues. I'm absolutely in love with this handlebar. I was really into the Ahearne Map 610's for awhile, but (to me) the Get Around blew them out of the water. 

There's a ti version of the Get Around that's both prohibitively priced and out of stock. Sim Works just got the Get Around back in stock after a looong hiatus but the price rose from $40ish to $60ish for the Cro-Mo bar, which prompted me to look elsewhere in order to perhaps try out something new for a similar price point.

So I put in an order with Blue Lug in order to try some of the Nitto offerings less common in the States. The two I settled on were the For Shred (which apparently is also available from VO) and the B802 HT (a mysterious-to-me bar the I was and am very intrigued by), both in 25.4.

It's easy to find lots of pics of the For Shred bar, but the 802 is more elusive. I intend to post some pics and reviews of these bars over the next few weeks, schedule pending. Anyone riding these bars?

[ant ritchey]

Links:

https://global.bluelug.com/nitto-b802-ht-riser-bar-silver.html

https://global.bluelug.com/nitto-for-shred-bar-silver-20301.html

[Brett Callahan]

Very interested to hear your thoughts on the mystery bar. Looks to have slightly more backsweep, which is appealing to me. I've thought about something similar for my Atlantis but have not pulled the trigger. Please post a review!
Brett in pdx

[Andy Beichler]

Those look great.  I will be waiting for your review.  I get hand/wrist pain from most flat bars but drops have been giving me numb hands lately.  Those Get Around bars look interesting, too.

Note- The For Shred Bar is only available in a 31.8 from Velo Orange. 

[ant ritchey]

No real riding on the B802. Truly no time between recent rains and work.

Here's are a few mock up shots with raw, un-glued cork grips. Bends are pretty good looking. A Tallux, Paul levers and shiny old Suntour thumbshifters sure don't hurt the looks department, either.

On Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at 5:13:02 PM UTC-8, ant ritchey wrote:

[Richard Rios]

Bars look great! Looks like simworks getaround with more rise 💪👍🧙‍♂️.

[J Schwartz]

Hi Ant

Are these the 720mm version?

I'm considering the same bars for my SimpleOne

Any further thoughts on them since you last posted?

Blue Lug doesn't actually list how much rise they have....can you confirm?

thanks

JS