[Closed] hooped Mary bars?

I've also looked for something similar, and couldn't find it - sorry I can't help.

I think a good solution would be a clamp-on loop that you can use to add a loop to pretty much any bar, but there are some issues there and no-one's tried it yet (that I'm aware of).

You're not alone in thinking this - see this thread on Bearbones: https://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=14373

Maybe pester Richpips to get Alpkit to try it.

The problem is, I can’t find one with similar sweep and rise as the Mary (sweep 21 degrees, rise 38mm)

I've used a Mary bar with considerable success in the past and may again (or similar, pref with a place to fix a light which points straight ahead!) but I'd assumed the Mary bar was more like 30-40deg sweep?

Have a look at the Surly Moloko? Yes, three figures is a lot of dosh for a set of bars - yet they do seem to tick a few boxes?

*edit - had a play with stock photos of both Mary and Moloko bars and overlaid for comparison (not to scale - the Mary bars are listed as 645mm vs Moloko's 735 (with cut marks for 685mm)

The backsweep angles seem functionally comparable if not identical?:

For others also looking inbetween the extreme figures there's also the Brick Lane Bikes Hobo which is listed as 15deg backsweep. The Hobo weighs half a kilo and retails for less than half the price of the Surly Moloko, which is made from steel. Choices are good, but I'd like a Moloko in alu for half the price please 😎

Probably not quite what you had in mind but
http://stoogecycles.co.uk/product/stooge-junker-bar-70/

Out of stock though.

Moloko is listed as 34deg sweep, Mary as 21, which is why I didn't suggest it... but as Malvern Rider points out they look quite similar - so possibly it's the plane they're measured in? (Wondered if one was the angle between the straight section and one grip, and the other was between the two grip sections, i.e. double, but that doesn't stack up either.)

Anyway, whatbars.com can save you a lot of effort in this department.

I really like SQ lab flat (ish) bars with 16 deg sweep (so nearer to 21deg). They don't have a hoop, but you have a lot of width to play with / chop and a good length straight centre section. Would need to play with stem length to get hand position same as Mary.

I think you're comparing the upsweep numbers of one bar with the backsweep of another.

The On-One site lists the Mary as having upsweep of 21 degrees, not backsweep.

Backsweep on the Mary is a bit less than the Jones (45 degrees), so more like 35 to 40 degrees ballpark (?).

whatbars.com allows you to overlay various "alt" bars. The Mary (backsweep incorrectly listed as 21 degrees) looks very close to the the Soma Clarence (listed as 34 degrees backsweep).

After 12 years on Mary bars I recently swapped them out for a set of Geoff bars. The sweep isn't as exaggerated as those quoted numbers suggest. Took me a few rides to adjust but now finding them more comfortable, if anything.
[img] [/img]
Had to fit a longer, higher rise stem to get the position approximately the same as with the Marys. With the main grip area at the right angle, I find the front loop angle is a bit low, i.e. I'd like it pointing slightly more upwards relative to the 'Mary part' of the bar. Not a deal breaker, though, and I like the loop for climbing and especially riding into headwinds. I've also thought a bolt-on clamp you could angle to your preference would be handy.
[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]
Cheap enough to try out, which was the logic behind my purchase (and, yes, I've since sorted out that bodged taping and grips).

Thanks for all the very helpful responses people.

urbanist - you're right that whatbars lists the wrong backsweep for the Mary (21 deg). I measured the Mary bars on my bike, with a protractor. The back sweep is in fact about 30 degrees (measured in the horizontal plane, with the "On-One" writing horizontal).

So yes, that reduces the difference in backsweep with all the 45 degree hoop bars by quite a lot. Thanks montgomery for your super-helpful pics - you may well have persuaded me to try the Geoff bars (when they're back in stock).

Try here for comparisons: http://whatbars.com/

That whatbars site is of limited use. In the Mary/Geoff example above, they look similar in plan but are very different in terms of rise and upsweep. To get a similar grip position with the Geoffs, you'll need a significantly higher rise stem, or more space on your steerer tube.

I want to try the Ritchey comp kyote bar next

Tried Jones loops and not a fan of the loop out front as it does stiffen up the bars quite a bit and make for a harsher ride

Thanks for all the input people. I went for On-One Geoff bars, tilted slightly downwards at the front. They're great - very happy with the setup.

The extra bit of luggage space up front is very handy too.

@Montgomery

I'd have said your Geoff bars are mounted upside down?

They're in a horizontal plane, effectively no rise, so there is no up/down side. Like the OP, I run them pointing (very) slightly down towards the front which, with perspective in those pics, might make them seem set wrong.

The Geoff bars I received this week definitely have a small rise

13mm,
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/HBOOGBV2/on-one-geoff-handlebar

Mine (first batch) have a slight rise in the clamp area which, along with the logos, makes me happy they're on the right way up. The rise is negligible, not enough to have much effect on set-up.

My (new this week) Geoff bars have a logo and lettering which seem to be right side up 😉

Agree either way makes little difference, but right way up has the loop more horizontal, whereas upside-down has the loop up and the bar ends down?

My jury is still out on the bars, need more fettling with stem. They are a dead lump and no escaping that.

To throw some more in the mix of swept/loop/H bars etc...

Koga Denham? Also more comparisons:

alt bars comparisons

A list of alternate bars - https://bikepacking.com/gear/list-of-comfort-mtb-handlebars/

Just fitted the Geoffs to my Inbred and yep, they're heavy, but first impressions are good with an 80mm riser stem. Reckon I'm going to be mostly on the bar ends and resting on the loop intersection near where the brakes are.

Right, finally attacked the Geoffs with what I hoped would be an optimal rough-touring setup for the Longitude.

90mm 45deg stem (would ideally like longer, ie 110mm but couldn't seem to find one)

Ergon Biokork GC1 grips optimized for swept bars

First short ride is more promising. I rotated the bars back/down to what feels a more natural resting grip and rotated the GC1s so that the heel of my palm is supported.

First impressions reveal that having the bars angled back/down = raising the loop to function as a more useful climbing/semi-aero grip option.

Wether or not it beats risers and bar-ends (no fashion here) remains to be seen

What about a handlebar brace like riser bars used to come with? Ebay has ones for motorbikes that look useable.

^ Brace on risers could function as a (heavyweight) clamping-surface for lights/phone/Garmin etc but as a grip-position it sits roughly inline with the bars so limited added benefit imo