tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post2361240701647798863..comments2024-03-27T05:14:23.738-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Upside Down North RoadsVelouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-78013797787617997332015-12-30T13:35:43.869-05:002015-12-30T13:35:43.869-05:00Just now reading this, 3.5 years later. I have a &...Just now reading this, 3.5 years later. I have a '79 Raleigh Superbe on which I have flipped the North Roads. I did it for the same reason you seem to appreciate the setup, as in it allowed for a less upright position yet the bar ends were at an angle that was natural for my wrists (angle makes me think of salsa woodchippers, mentioned above) It also allows me to squat down more comfortably in a headwind but sit high enough for a good view in traffic. I can attest to the squirrely handling, which might be a result of the grips being located behind the stem when viewed from the side, as opposed to drop bars which usually have the grips next to the stem or in front. I think this affects handling when more weight is placed over the bars, aka flipping the north roads. Think of it as drop bars pulling the front wheel where you want it to go, like a shopping cart caster, vs. north roads pushing the front wheel straight. I've solved the problem by raising the stem slightly but not far enough to negate the flipping of the bar. A longer stem did not help and I am still loving the setup. My experience seems to match yours also in the way that the wider bar provides more leverage to easily control the bike, a definite plus in the city. Just thought I'd share!Jay Tyanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16379343653425080261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-21888353472795842452015-11-16T12:17:09.751-05:002015-11-16T12:17:09.751-05:00You said, "may be as much about a 'period...You said, "may be as much about a 'period' convention" and noted the Café racer look. It does harken back and make one feel very "Major Taylor" when looking at it. I surmise the period look is quite strong across the pond, with the long history there of dapper cycling. But after 35 years of cycling (road and track racing, and quotidian use), and being a professional mechanic, I know that downward pointing grip-ends lead to riders' needing to use more grip strength in addition to skeletal support, to keep ahold of the bar. For me, that is a fail. Not to mention that poorly mounted grips (or long-neglected grips) could slide off in a rainstorm, especially those extremely downward set ups. I'd perhaps ride a classic bike set up that way briefly for an event or something, but wouldn't recommend it to a customer as a wise set up. When I see a bar dipping down like that, and not level, it provokes me to check the stem-to-handlebar bolt for looseness. That visual cue of a not-level bar has revealed many an unsafe 'ride' over the years. I'm amenable to those riders who intentionally set their bars off-level, of course. Eileen A. Brodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15755750337175215845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-17092919086577113432012-06-22T22:57:05.913-04:002012-06-22T22:57:05.913-04:00I agree it looks a bit funny, but on vintage bikes...I agree it looks a bit funny, but on vintage bikes the handle bar stems might not move as much as the owner would like.Erin Bhttp://bikestheuniverseandeverything.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-7439779080290768952012-06-12T08:58:10.648-04:002012-06-12T08:58:10.648-04:00Those look similar to the hand position of Salsa W...Those look similar to the hand position of Salsa Woodchippers.Chase Palmerhttp://www.chasepalmerphotography.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-27777925436596894592012-05-18T14:19:37.338-04:002012-05-18T14:19:37.338-04:00How a Bicycle is Made (1945)
http://www.youtube.c...How a Bicycle is Made (1945)<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaxRQh03BOw<br /><br />shows bar production at 8min mark.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-34704858466904727622012-05-18T07:12:38.522-04:002012-05-18T07:12:38.522-04:00Its the Law only on the North Road.Its the Law only on the North Road.Scott R Chamberlainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12450257923259920565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-58665214383185507232012-05-18T02:34:17.877-04:002012-05-18T02:34:17.877-04:00@Spindizzy:
“I think up-side down Northroads are s...@Spindizzy:<br />“I think up-side down Northroads are so vintage cool that I cant believe more people don't use them. I have them on a couple of bikes right now and prefer them tilted down as on the bike your'e pictured on.” - This is exactly the way I do it – flippin’ ‘em bars all the time: <br />http://www.flickr.com/photos/48688786@N04/6066729911/in/set-72157627487230016<br />http://www.flickr.com/photos/48688786@N04/6064722510/in/set-72157627481762444/<br />http://www.flickr.com/photos/48688786@N04/6064724032/in/set-72157627357409783<br /><br />“They look sorta like the bars on a Brough Superior or similar 20s-30s vintage Brit Motorbike and I think more things should be made to look like a vintage Brit Motorbike...” – In fact it was an American Boardtrack racer that inspired me to do this: <br />http://www.flickr.com/photos/48688786@N04/6067245868/in/set-72157627362804231/ ,<br />namely this one (we have a fixed gear here, no brakes, white tires, and Ignatz Schwinn was involved, so this may pass on here I hope ;) ): <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNCMT5R-VUk&feature=related <br /><br />And speaking of interesting bar shapes on unrestored beauties in a quite unrestored state, you might find this interesting – of American make, too: <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfEZyCccKTs&NR=1 – hot stuff indeed, as you see … ;)<br /><br />And yes – flipped North Roadish bars are a good means to curate wrong frame dimensions, especially the all-too-long top tubes of 1970s racing bikes. :)<br /><br />MatthiasAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-68259921266307727832012-05-17T15:38:47.920-04:002012-05-17T15:38:47.920-04:00why cant u grip them anywhere else? state law?why cant u grip them anywhere else? state law?youcancallmeAlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02578252140097961816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-43320122496760572852012-05-17T07:50:59.726-04:002012-05-17T07:50:59.726-04:00Flipped Flopped upward or downward. Either which w...Flipped Flopped upward or downward. Either which way a North Road Bar is still a single grip. That said, this type of handlebar on a town bike for a run to the grocery or pub is pretty and handyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-76280283291115768982012-05-16T23:21:26.027-04:002012-05-16T23:21:26.027-04:00I think up-side down Northroads are so vintage coo...I think up-side down Northroads are so vintage cool that I cant believe more people don't use them. I have them on a couple of bikes right now and prefer them tilted down as on the bike your'e pictured on. They look sorta like the bars on a Brough Superior or similar 20s-30s vintage Brit Motorbike and I think more things should be made to look like a vintage Brit Motorbike...<br /><br />SpindizzyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-13902377701162562322012-05-16T23:07:52.923-04:002012-05-16T23:07:52.923-04:00I had overturned North Road-style bars on a bike. ...I had overturned North Road-style bars on a bike. Actually, in their normal position, they were a bit more upright (I think) than true North Roads. So I didn't like them quite so much when they were downturned: It was like riding drop bars without the variety of options in hand positions, and less grip area. Perhaps I should try something closer to the true North Roads.Justine Valinottihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10852069587181432102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-37926014959214545272012-05-16T21:29:23.788-04:002012-05-16T21:29:23.788-04:00North Roads started out downward. They later flipp...North Roads started out downward. They later flipped them upwards. This is documented in Hadley's history book on Raleigh. We are just used to seeing them upright but in the beginning they were down.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-12955206800596077442012-05-16T20:33:10.043-04:002012-05-16T20:33:10.043-04:00Amazon.com $40.00 ish deliveredAmazon.com $40.00 ish deliveredScott R Chamberlainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12450257923259920565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-73465675060690994592012-05-16T18:36:31.064-04:002012-05-16T18:36:31.064-04:00Mine are upright, but I do admire them overturned....Mine are upright, but I do admire them overturned. A vintage mixte rider here turned hers parallel to the top tubes for a racy look.Cameron Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06044381562194549854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-42838192128695883602012-05-16T16:58:03.496-04:002012-05-16T16:58:03.496-04:00I want this new Raleigh book. Where can I get it?I want this new Raleigh book. Where can I get it?Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-32797288579450686632012-05-16T16:57:05.095-04:002012-05-16T16:57:05.095-04:00It's funny to me that the ilistration of the N...It's funny to me that the ilistration of the North Road bars in the new Raleigh book shows the bars up side down. maybe we all ready know them as up side down!Scott R Chamberlainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12450257923259920565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-17378268793343919852012-05-16T16:33:47.996-04:002012-05-16T16:33:47.996-04:00I've noticed the ppl in Flandria likes them fl...I've noticed the ppl in Flandria likes them flipped as in this article.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-59721141605848580702012-05-16T15:55:39.420-04:002012-05-16T15:55:39.420-04:00LOL!!LOL!!Aprilhttp://aprillikesbikes.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-1342431687458657462012-05-16T15:36:27.218-04:002012-05-16T15:36:27.218-04:00If you want to get a little closer there is a majo...If you want to get a little closer there is a major event, the North West 200 (in the classic TT style), happening just up the road from you starting yesterday and continuing on Thursday and Saturday. The riders are, in my opinion, crazy but would still love to watch what they do - my favorite being Guy Martin. My guess is that traffic will be heavy on the weekend but there is lots going on tomorrow too.<br /><br />Link 1: http://www.northwest200.org/<br /><br />Link 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn1YB7fk8egAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-49931971622791177842012-05-16T15:03:34.764-04:002012-05-16T15:03:34.764-04:00In my youth what you call flipped would be known a...In my youth what you call flipped would be known as a North Road but only if there was a distinct forward bout and some drop, as per the first pic. The second would not be called North Road and either, flipped the other way up would be tourist, or more disparagingly dutch or german tourist. I occasionally road with the Birkenhead North Road Club, but they were the road club from Birkenhead North not the North Road club from Birkenhead.Tim Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03277034044977018254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-50766579267501494152012-05-16T12:46:02.335-04:002012-05-16T12:46:02.335-04:00I agree with henryinamsterdam about having grippin...I agree with henryinamsterdam about having gripping area tilted for comfort.<br /><br />I have upright Northroads on my Superbe, with gripping area tilted downward. That and the fact that the ends of the bar flare out make it fairly comfortable for the wrists. Most Raleighs I see with North Roads show some tilt.<br /><br />In contrast, my rod-braked Dawn Tourist bars seem very uncomfortable. They have to be straight across the front to accommodate the pivoting end of the brake levers but they have less tilt and flare on the ends than the North Roads and are not at all adjustable for tilt.Quincyclistnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-22305440503718604742012-05-16T12:23:51.779-04:002012-05-16T12:23:51.779-04:00Personally, I like both the look and feel of upsid...Personally, I like both the look and feel of upside down Northroads. Studying your images as I read through your blog, I was already anticipating one issue that I feel is key to the comfort of this arrangement: the positioning of the bars, relative to the bike geometry. I find that the bars angled downward is awkward for me; I also am unimpressed with the aesthetics. By the way, when I place such emphasis on design, it's not purely a visual response - I often find that what is visual pleasing is also ergonomically valid as well. Thanks for an excellent topic, and one that I've often pondered over.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-40006617816252776722012-05-16T12:15:44.908-04:002012-05-16T12:15:44.908-04:00Crossing the border from Germany to the Netherland...Crossing the border from Germany to the Netherlands one of the obvious, immediate changes was the angle of people's bars. The Germans like them horizontal, the Dutch angle them down. Odd that it seems to be a national trait.MaxUtilitynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-37216305589930259452012-05-16T11:54:23.451-04:002012-05-16T11:54:23.451-04:00I know! Probably the closest I'll ever get to ...I know! Probably the closest I'll ever get to riding a motorcycle though : )Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-72908116168352325322012-05-16T11:52:24.423-04:002012-05-16T11:52:24.423-04:00makes sense to me.makes sense to me.youcancallmeAlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02578252140097961816noreply@blogger.com