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Black Sheep Mountain Moustache Bars rumination. . .

6040 Views 10 Replies 10 Participants Last post by rojogonzo, Dec 20, 2009

mhk

Discussion Starter · Dec 20, 2009

Bear with me, because I'm trying to talk myself into a purchase, and I'm questioning my rationale. I feel like I need a little help, though.

So. . .I'm building up a scorcher on the cheap (got a Kona Smoke 29er frame for $56 on Ebay), and for part of the project, I thought I would try to replicate a very positive experience I had while riding a balloon tire cruiser for a week in San Diego this summer.

I really liked how the cruiser bars worked when climbing hard (yeah I was that kook). I liked how I could stand up and hammer the pedals in a comfortable position on even fairly large climbs (on the road). With weight more toward the middle of the bike, it felt like it would keep the rear tire from slipping in an off road situation (which sometimes happens while I'm standing, and is the reason I got rid of my bar ends even though they feel comfortable), although I've never ridden off road with cruiser bars or really anything with much sweep. I imagine, however, there would be a significant tradeoff in techy riding. Anyway, I looked at some very wide very sweepy "moon bars" and got kind of excited about it. . .

But then I thought about how building up this bike could be a great excuse to upgrade parts for my main ride--I'd just use some of my current parts for the "new" build. Maybe I could actually take this cruiser style bar idea down a notch on the ridiculousness scale and improve my mountain bike (SS 29er) at the same time. And somehow I started thinking about shelling out $225 for the Black Sheep Mountain Moustache Bars. I could put my Titec Pluto carbon 26.5" bars on the scorcher and make both, um, bikes happy.

Have I been cooped up too long during the winter storm, or does this make sense at all? To recap: my idea has morphed from crazy scorcher cruiser build to a serious upgrade on my mountain bike with a nod toward the cruiser style. I've searched but found very little info on the MM bars. Would they perform the way I'm imagining they will?

One other question: Does anyone make a non-ti MM replica, like Titec does w/Jones?

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Fat Bob

· #2 · Dec 20, 2009

Talk to Tony From DC... He's got a pair on his BS and I think he's pretty happy. Price is good compared to where Jones is these days.

Non-Ti... not exactly but.....pretty cool IMO

these
or these
possibly these
or these
and finally these

I'm sure others have their favorites

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chuckc1971

· #3 · Dec 20, 2009

How about a Rawland Cycles Antler (top) Bar?

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azjonboy

· #4 · Dec 20, 2009

I've run 3 different Black Sheep bars, all variations of the MM, and loved them on my Black Sheep SS 29er. I've also run Jones Ti bars and liked them as well. You can't go wrong with them if you like the back sweep. Go for it!

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Yogii

· #5 · Dec 20, 2009

Spend the MONEY, help the economy, and post pictures....

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dirtrider7

· #6 · Dec 20, 2009

mhk said:
Bear with me, because I'm trying to talk myself into a purchase, and I'm questioning my rationale. I feel like I need a little help, though.

So. . .I'm building up a scorcher on the cheap (got a Kona Smoke 29er frame for $56 on Ebay), and for part of the project, I thought I would try to replicate a very positive experience I had while riding a balloon tire cruiser for a week in San Diego this summer.

I really liked how the cruiser bars worked when climbing hard (yeah I was that kook). I liked how I could stand up and hammer the pedals in a comfortable position on even fairly large climbs (on the road). With weight more toward the middle of the bike, it felt like it would keep the rear tire from slipping in an off road situation (which sometimes happens while I'm standing, and is the reason I got rid of my bar ends even though they feel comfortable), although I've never ridden off road with cruiser bars or really anything with much sweep. I imagine, however, there would be a significant tradeoff in techy riding. Anyway, I looked at some very wide very sweepy "moon bars" and got kind of excited about it. . .

But then I thought about how building up this bike could be a great excuse to upgrade parts for my main ride--I'd just use some of my current parts for the "new" build. Maybe I could actually take this cruiser style bar idea down a notch on the ridiculousness scale and improve my mountain bike (SS 29er) at the same time. And somehow I started thinking about shelling out $225 for the Black Sheep Mountain Moustache Bars. I could put my Titec Pluto carbon 26.5" bars on the scorcher and make both, um, bikes happy.

Have I been cooped up too long during the winter storm, or does this make sense at all? To recap: my idea has morphed from crazy scorcher cruiser build to a serious upgrade on my mountain bike with a nod toward the cruiser style. I've searched but found very little info on the MM bars. Would they perform the way I'm imagining they will?

One other question: Does anyone make a non-ti MM replica, like Titec does w/Jones?

I hate flatish bars with little backsweep so I am on board with what you write. If you aren't a bonzo technical rider, there is no reason to needless suffer with no or little backsweep IMHO. None. There isn't a motorcycle made with 5 degrees of backsweep. I rest my case as a practitioner of both motorized and pedal 2 wheel vehicles.

The thing about the Black Sheep Ti Moustache bar is its an expensive experiment. It may however be a very gratifying one. You don't know until you go there. I have little doubt you will love it with one wildcard. This pertains to frame sizing relative to stem length you need to dial in your fit. A suggestion is, write to Blacksheep and ask them what the stem size differential is when finding the comfort sweepspot compared to say a 5 deg. pullback bar. If you want a cost effective alternative, the Mary, Fubar or Clarence bar are perhaps the most popular high sweep back bars sold for mountain bikes. In the case of the the Fubar however which may include the Blacksheep but maybe not, the stem length maybe radically affected and perhaps outside the range you can fit on your frame without a custom stem. I would like to try the Blacksheep bar and may at some point. I am a big fan of the Mary or Fubar style bar on these bikes and will never ride a flat bar again.
Cheers.

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JSD303

· #7 · Dec 20, 2009

I've got the Blacksheep MM bar and love it. Great leverage for climbing on the SS. I'd definitely give James a call and talk to him about your ideas, and while you're at it, order a full bike! You can't go wrong with BS!

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jeffreyjhsu

· #8 · Dec 20, 2009

Is there a website for Black Sheep Handlebars?

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JSD303

· #9 · Dec 20, 2009

http://www.blacksheepbikes.com/ It's a flash site, so navigate to parts...

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lumberj4ck

· #10 · Dec 20, 2009

wow that blacksheep ZAMer is amazing!!!! I want to ride one really badly.

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rojogonzo

· #11 · Dec 20, 2009

+1 on the MM, i've mounted one on my blackbuck, combine that with big tires it rides very nice. I've just switched to a carbon fork and hope to ride it today but must first bleed my brakes.

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