Thursday, March 1, 2012

Salsa WoodChipper Handlebars

 I recently switched the stock handlebars on the LHT to the Salsa Woodchipper Bar Moto Ace.   I am a big fan of hand positions.  And I never rode the stock handlebars in the drops. I just was not comfortable for my hands.  Doing a lot of hill climbing now I was looking for a bar that would provide a better drop solution.  The Woodchipper Bar had a lot of comments that were favorable to drop comfort.
 So I thought that I would give them a try.  I changed out the bar and played with the adjustment to get it dialed in for me.

 I added a accessory bar to the front of the rack for the bag, horn and light  That worked out pretty well.. at least thus far I like it... it is a bit unconventional but it frees up the handlebar hand positions and leave room to put the sleeping bag on the rack behind the bag and air horn bottle.  I put on some new U-Bend synthetic leather bar tape... even wrapped the utility bar for looks....


 The new bar rides great.... thus far I like them.  

BUT they are wide and with the bar end shifters even wider.   It is interesting walking with it, parking it ... I do bang into stuff.  Probably will continue to do that for a while until I get use to it.


It also takes a little getting use to the bar end shifters being in the new position.  It is really funny what you get use to, what become a habit.  But now I am riding in the drops more, especially on those steep hills.


oh the small changes makes you think it is brand new again !
Thanks for looking ! 

5 comments:

  1. Two questions for you:
    1) Do you still like the woodchippers after all this time? (I am considering woodchippers or the cowbells on my LHT and wanted to get you opinion)
    2) What kind of front rack are you running on your LHT?

    Cheers! K

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  2. Hi Kevin:
    I have been using the Woodchippers for a couple of years now. I have them on my LHT and my Fargo. I like the bars as they give a better position in the drops for me in touring (my arms are tucked close to my body as much). The one thing that I do find with them is that the are wide! and storing the bikes can be a bit of a challenge.

    I do not have the from rack any longer. I am using a Axiom Lowrider series when I tour with front bags.

    Thanks !

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  3. Thanks, Stephen! I finally got some woodchippers and I am planning on installing them on the LHT soon. It appears that you have a rising stem (rather than a flat stem)... I am thinking that would work best for these bars, do you agree?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Kevin,
      I have the standard LHT build stem for the 58 . In addition that that, I have a riser that brought the bars up a bit more. It is more of a personal thing liking a more upright position on the touring bike ... more 'relaxed riding'..

      On my Salsa Fargo, I have Woodchippers and do not have the riser. When I am on the Fargo it is usually in a 'less relaxed'

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  4. Hi.

    I am thinking about doing the same. I would like to change the stock handlebar in my LHT for the WOODCHIPPER. I have a question, what a bout the shifters and the brake levers? do they fit okay?

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete