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Got a pair of Midge bars to try out. Since I've never used flared drops before, I'm not sure about lever position. I suspect it's a highly personal thing, but I'm interested if there's some kind of consensus from the (niche) masses.
Starting point - the end of the bars should point toward the rear axle. Levers easy to reach from in the drops.
Loads of photos on this old thread: http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/on-one-midge-bars-2
This is useful: http://www.63xc.com/mattc/midge.htm
Cheers, admittedly didn't search before posting because the search is usually a waste of time.
When you say
the end of the bars should point toward the rear axle
I assume you mean that imaginary lines coming out of the ends of the bars would meet an imaginary line going through the rear axle, which would obviously happen quite a distance to the side of the bike due to the flare?
Yes, that's what I meant 🙂
midge bars
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soma portola
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Just set them up so they look goofy enough to upset your roadie mates 😉
RestlessNative - Member
...Just set them up so they look goofy enough to upset your roadie mates
Best advice. 🙂
On an mtb I find Midges very tricky to get right with the brake levers.
I can get a great riding position on the drops, but then the levers aren't angled quite right or if angled right, are positioned wrongly. If I can get the levers right and then the angle of the drop is often nowhere near the aesthetic of pointing at the back wheel. (It usually is comfortable when the angle at which your hand falls on to the bar is not forced).
Ride them without bar tape for a while because what feels right initially may not be so after an hour or so on the bike. Also have a few stems* to play with and remember higher is better for offroad.
The Midge has a forward extension, so you'll probably want a shorter stem. For a start aim to have your hands in much the same place in relation to the saddle and steerer as on your straight bar if that was comfortable for you.
I found my hands are too big for them.