Comments on: Ritchey Carbon Mountain 10D Flat Bar: On Test

By: Guitar Ted

Guitar Ted — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:14:30 +0000

@JoesephK: It should have read, “….but less than the Specialized aluminum bar it replaced.”

Sorry about the confusion there.

Therefore I have no beta for you on Ritchey’s aluminum version of this bar, but I am currently testing a bike with a Ritchey aluminum riser and it is quite stiff.

By: JosephK

JosephK — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:19:33 +0000

“Our sample weighed in at 190 grams, so a bit more than claimed, but less than the aluminum bar it replaced which weighed 230 grams.”

Can I take this that you tried the aluminum version of the same bar. Curious, because I’m thinking of getting the aluminum version to replace a carbon riser bar (different brand) and would like to know if there is any flex to the aluminum version. I will be riding rigid an wouldn’t mind a little flex. Any advice on the aluminum version?

Thanks!

By: Cloxxki

Cloxxki — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:27:06 +0000

I have found I prefer a little forward, lots backsweep bars that requires a long stem. This is for fast cummuting/racing. Then, why ever ride slong with a carbon handlebar?
Negative rise makes the forward sweep act as an extra hand position. The long stem gives a free view of the front tire, and makes the narrow hand position nice and aero. The increased backsweep does wonders for leverage and comfort, while making length and width of grip position adjustable on the fly, just move your hands.
10D is still straight, and Ritchey’s solution is a bit worse. I’d love to learn the pro’s of this geometry, I see more cons right now.

By: Guitar Ted

Guitar Ted — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 02:18:44 +0000

@Kosmo: Yes.

By: Upsidedownbiker

Upsidedownbiker — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 13:31:53 +0000

I’ve been riding this bar for a year now. It is awesome. It gave me a lower position on the front end of my 29′er which is tough to do sometimes. I did have to shorten up the stem by a cm because if you look at the bar it sweeps forward then back. Essentially putting your hands right at the center of the stem. Where a traditional bar sweeps back from the center of the stem. At first this was a little annoying to me but once I got it set up the bike just seemed to handle even faster. Which is what I was looking for. It would also be a great solution for someone that is taller and doesn’t want to ride a longer stem for their fit.
One word of advice. On any carbon bar make sure to follow the torque specs per each item. I cracked one by torquing a Shimano shifter to 5nm when it should have been 3nm. Doesn’t seem like much but it is.