bridgestone moustach bar conversion

[Stacey Graham]

Anybody have any experience converting standard MTB bar to the old Bridgestone moustach bars? Just found a local source (One on One) and need to know whether i can afford to do this before Xmas.

Bike I want to put it on is a 2004 Cannondale F300. I know I will need highrise stem, but beyond that (bar-end shifters, brake mods, etc...)?

Any help will be appreciated.

[funky-funky-chicken]

Yes, I have experience. I currently have two different bikes set up with moustache bars, both on roadish type bikes. At one time (many years ago, when I put them on my MB-1 when it was new) I had them set up for off-road. They are pretty cool for riding up to about 60 miles, then my wrists tend to bother me. For the most part, they offer great hand positions, particularly for standing when climbing.

There are different kinds of moustache bars, old and very difficult to find mtn version, and currently available road. The two different bars have slightly different bends to them. I was just at One on One and saw the bars I suspect you are talking about. You may want to verify with Gene or Reed, but the diameter on those bars are for road components. You will likely need a different stem (see below) and your existing brake levers from your Cannondale will not fit without crimping the bar. So, you will need new brake levers in addition to your bar-end shifters. You will either need the DiaCompe levers designed to work with linear pull breaks, or you will need to get some "Travel Agents" to make traditional road brake levers compatible.

I believe that VanDessel makes a moustache knock off that fits mountain components. They aren't anywhere near the quality of the original Nitto versions, but might work out better if you want to go ahead with your experiment.

Figuring that you get all of your components figured out, you will also need to re-think the way that you have your bike set up. With moustache bars properly mounted, you wind up with your hands about 1-2 inches lower than a flat bar. You may want to consider getting a stem with a higher reach.

You might just want to ask Gene what his opinion on the bars is... he's somewhat of an expert.;)

[Stacey Graham]

Waw that was fast, thanks. Yeah I've been researching it all in the meantime and it is more involved than just swapping in, and with X-Mas coming it behooves me not to spend the cash. Maybe it will be a winter project.

I did look up the Van Dessel option: http://www.vandesselsports.com/accessories.shtml

Mucho cheaper, but since half of my moustach bar obsession is because of having a Bridgestone MB4 as my first real bike, it wouldn't be the same. I admit I've never ridden a moustach bar bike, but they seem to be ideal for commuting and I don't do a whole lot hardcore off-roading (I'm old and creaky!) anymore.

And yeah, I talked to Gene a little bit about them. He is probably THE authority on these oddball bars (besides maybe Grant Peterson). I remember going to Traverse City MI to watch him race an MB-0 way back in the old days.

[stoneage]

John Coleman over at Kenwood always seems to have a few in stock. I have one made by Nitto. Very chi chi.

[cockleburr]

First thing. Thank You! for the props gentlemen.
The Nitto Moustache bar that we have here is 25.4mm clamp for the stem, same size as your standard MTN bar size. The brake clamp though is 23.8mm which is road brake lever size. Rivendale sells the 26.0mm clamp road stem version with the same 23.8mm brake lever clamp size. They also sell a similar Nitto bar called the Albatross, it fits MTN stems, brake, shift and even bar end levers, but it is not quite the same bend as the 'stach' bar. The Nitto company has the highest testing standard in the world for handlebars. The VanDessel bar would be fine for light street use, I would be suspect for off-road. Now as far as the stem. On a MTN bike, 2-3cm shorter is the best. Add a little rise to fine tune it. I can loan you a adjustable stem for that.

[cockleburr]

John Coleman over at Kenwood always seems to have a few in stock. I have one made by Nitto. Very chi chi.

Hey! I have one in stock and it's made by Nitto too!
I use to have one made from copper, way chic.

[funky-funky-chicken]

I use to have one made from copper, way chic.
Mmmmmm... I would like to have a pair of those. I bet they would look way cool and match nicely with a Brooks Team Pro saddle. Cannot imagine they are easy to come by? Hmmm.... how about a custom line of imported Nitto Chromo bars (standard bends) with copper plating. Once they develop a good patina, it would be a shame to even put components on.

Anyone in on the board know anythign about electroplating copper over nickel?

[90psi]

Hmmm.... how about a custom line of imported Nitto Chromo bars (standard bends) with copper plating. Once they develop a good patina, it would be a shame to even put components on.

Anyone in on the board know anythign about electroplating copper over nickel?

I'm aready saving my pennies for the day when you figure that out...

I'm serious. But concerning 'stach bars on your MTB- like Gene said, if you want the sexy and authentic Nitto model you'll have to go with road brake levers- which look good on the curvy bars- but in order for your v-brakes to work well, you'll either need to get "tandem" levers- made specifically to work with linear pull brakes, or use any old road lever in conjuction with a "travel agent" converter noodle thing. Shifter-wise, bar-ends seem to be the best option, save for some people reporting knee/lever interference, but you could also employ Paul's "thumbies" in the road bar size and some DA barcons for 9speed indexed thumbshifters: retro style and simplicity with modern convenience (isn't that what we all want?).

we've got the bars, tandem levers, barcons, and travel agents over here at Freewheel, and we are REALLY bored this time of year- ride in sometime if you want and relieve us for the task of trying to look busy...

[Paul Swenson]

I’m thinking of going with the Moustache bar and am wondering if it’s better to go with the special Diacompe levers or travel agents. Is one going to be mushier then the other?

[funky-funky-chicken]

Having tried both, I prefer the feel of a standard lever with a travel agent. The DiaCompe 287v levers feel strange IMHO.

I've tried a couple of different set-ups with V-Brakes and road levers. Decided to abandon the V-Brakes all-together and use standard levers with "old" cantilever set up. I've got two bikes set up this way with moustache bars. The only issue with canilevers is having a hanger for a cable housing....

[Paul Swenson]

Thanks for your quick reply.

I think I have some old cantilevers lying around so I guess I could use those. Are there certain road levers that work better with Cantilevers then others? IYO should I go with bar end shifters or brake shifters?

Also, has anyone used the On One Mungo bars? I saw them on their website and I’m intrigued.

Thanks again for your advice. It’s much appreciated.:)

[funky-funky-chicken]

Run what you've got. I tried running with Ultegra STI levers on moustache bars one time... didn't care for em. I much prefer bar end shifters or even downtube shifters on road bikes. Yikes.. I guess that I am a traditionalist!

I've run different types of cantilevers from Paul, Shimano, Suntour, and DiaCompe with levers from Suntour, DiaCompe, and Shimano. They all seem to work well with one another. On one set of moustache bars I've got DiaCompe brake levers, $himano cantilevers and a single bar end shifter on a 1x9. On my favorite road bike I run old stock Suntour Superbe Pro levers with brake return spring (BRS) with Paul touring cantilevers and they are like butter.

As far as the On One bars... cannot recall the differences between the two. I think that County Cycles in Roseville generally stocks both versions. I know that they try to keep at least a set of the Nitto in stock. I think that One On One might have one or the other too.