The Salsa Cycles Woodchipper bar is here and on a bike here. I have not had the opportunity to thrash the bar what with the winter and all going on here. Until that can happen, I have some comparisons to some of the most popular off road drop bars available today. Note: This does not include the WTB bar since it is vastly different and any comparison to the bars presented here would be superfluous.
First, a few images…………
Origin 8 Gary Bar in front, Salsa Woodchipper in the back.
Salsa Woodchipper on the left, Origin 8 bar on the right.
Origin 8 Gary Bar in front, On One Midge Bar in back.
Notes: The Origin 8 Bar and the On One Midge are more similar than different. As can be seen, they both have similar shape, with the Origin 8 having a far more severe “slope” to the drop section, rendering the brake lever position nearly that of a mustache bar and limiting the width of the top of the bar. The Midge has less “slope”, a wider top section, but in the critical drop extension and sweep of that extension, the Midge is nearly identical to the Gary Bar.
The Woodchipper differs greatly in the area of overall shape in that it has nearly no “slope” and much longer extensions that are more severely swept than the other bars. Because of the Woodchipper’s design, it sports a wider top section than either the Gary or Midge bars do. (46cm Woodchipper shown here) Also noteworthy is that all of these bars are 25.4mm clamp diameter bars. The Woodchipper will differ in that you can get 31.8mm clamp diameter variations in both 42cm and 46cm versions. (It is worth noting here that WTB’s bar is also available in both clamp diameters.)
Following is a comparison of the three models with pertinent measurements: (note: The Woodchipper used for this comparison is a 46cm, 25.4mm clamp diameter version)
Weight:
Midge bar = 250 grams
Gary bar = 320 grams
Woodchipper = 360 grams
Width: (Note: measurement taken outside to outside at the widest point)
Midge bar = 58cm.
Gary bar = 58cm.
Woodchipper = 66cm
Drop: (Note: measurement taken center line of drop extension to centerline of flat upper section)
Midge = 102.5mm
Gary = 92.5mm
Woodchipper = 95mm
Flats Width: (the upper portion of the bar, either side of the stem clamp to where bar starts to curve to drop section)
Midge = 37cm.
Gary = 28cm
Woodchipper = 40.5cm
Drop extension length: ( The portion of the drop that is flat- from the hook to the tip)
Midge = 8.5cm.
Gary = 9.5cm.
Woodchipper = 13.6cm
Conclusions: It becomes quite obvious that the Woodchipper is taking a different route to off road drop bar nirvana. With its nearly vertical drop section, the brake lever position is more “road-like” than anything else out there in this category. This will appeal more to integrated brake/shifter users and those insisting that the hoods position be usable on their off-road drop set ups. Also, the swept extensions will appeal to “alt-bar” users that insist on having sweep in their bar choices. Finally, the Woodchipper is definitely more “rangy”, having a much wider top section than anything made for off roading yet. The 42cm version is only slightly less wide.
42cm and 46cm versions of the Woodchipper.
The Woodchipper is fully compatible with bar end shifters, integrated brake/shifter set ups, and will be available in “Moto-Ace” 25.4mm versions and 31.8mm “Pro-Moto” versions in both the 42cm and 46cm widths.
I’ll have a First Impressions post coming soon.
Note: The reviewed products were provided to Twenty Nine Inches at no charge for review. I was not paid or bribed for this review. I will give/gave my honest opinion or thoughts through out.
“Is that your friend in the chipper?”
One of the great movie quotes of all time.
I digress… the chipper is nice. It looks like it solves two issues I had with my Gary. One, it has more hand position options, a little more road-bar like in that regard. Riding on the “tops” is actually possible. This is important to me because the frame I currently have has a short headtube and therefore more drop from saddle to seat. Therefore I don’t need to be in the drops all of the time — mainly because it’s a commuter that I thrash from time-to-time and not a full-time MTB.
And the flare/sweep is a big plus. I was annoyed by the lack of it in the Gary. Thought there should’ve been more and the chipper solves it.
The chipper combines the versatility of the road bar with the sweep and control of a drop bar. Best of both worlds. I hadn’t really considered one, as my current setup of an upside down Space bar works ok enough and I really couldn’t get the clamp height and stem reach where I need it to make a Gary work right for me.
But thanks for the detailed review. This might be worth a shot. I’ll be interested in updates.
Aaaah, I’ve been waiting for this bar for many years!
What about reach between these 3 bars? Less is better for non-dedicated MTB conversion, I would guess…
Wide tops! Sweep!
I was not a hard prediction to say that Salsa would get it right.
When I pull out the KM again, now with Midge, it will get a Woodchipper and worthy stem.
+1 – I’d also like to know how the reach compares between the 3 bars.
Thanks for the good write up and I look forward to your first impressions.
Look for the reach comparo in the next Woodchipper update. Thanks for pointing out that missing measurement!
You got my back, I got yours