Flared & Riser Gravel Handlebar: The Surly Truck Stop Bar Review

#Surly #AltBar #GravelBar
Alternative handlebars have been all the rage over the last few years, especially within the growing gravel riding scene. Here’s the thing though: I’ve always considered myself a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to handlebars and never understood all the bells and whistles that go along with alternative handlebars. Flared bars, and the tilted hoods associated with them, never really appealed to me. All I wanted was a plain vanilla bar that did what it was supposed to. That thought process started to change for me in recent months, so much so that I went all in with not only my first flared bar, but a riser bar at that. Check out this video to see why I had the change of mind and how my new set-up performs.
Help support this channel by purchasing your own Surly Truck Stop Bar via this link:
JensonUSA Shop: bit.ly/3mgbKwA
Find my full written review here:
mountain-road.com/blog/surly-...
Chapter Link:
00:00 Intro
00:42 Specs
02:52 Importance of Stack Height
05:41 On The Bike Look & Feel
08:12 Hand Positions
10:08 Wrap-Up
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Пікірлер: 58

  • @godfellas483
    @godfellas4837 күн бұрын

    Loved the video. Great content. The commercials were dreadful...You-Tube lets anything on their platform...Time to search out another

  • @bosanderspublictheology
    @bosanderspublictheology3 жыл бұрын

    This was super helpful. Thank you.

  • @BrianRPaterson
    @BrianRPaterson Жыл бұрын

    Ace review. I tracked down the text review also. Just what I wanted to know. Much appreciated. Cheers

  • @syedzgaming
    @syedzgaming2 ай бұрын

    Thanks will try this on my canyon grail, it has a super low stack 556 for the same size as you

  • @CDOES
    @CDOES3 жыл бұрын

    Excellent video! This was exactly what I was looking for. Keep it up!

  • @JensMHA
    @JensMHA3 жыл бұрын

    Oogling the truck stop bars now, to replace a pair of Nitto Rando bars. This was just the ticket, thanks for making this! :)

  • @MountainRoadRide

    @MountainRoadRide

    3 жыл бұрын

    So glad that the video was helpful! It’s been a great handlebar for me and having the correct fit on my bike has made a massive difference in the way I can ride it.

  • @pullersinc.848
    @pullersinc.8483 жыл бұрын

    Had my Truckstops for a couple months now....best bar ever.

  • @darioreid244

    @darioreid244

    3 жыл бұрын

    A tip : watch series at Flixzone. I've been using it for watching a lot of movies during the lockdown.

  • @franklinjosue4919

    @franklinjosue4919

    3 жыл бұрын

    @Dario Reid Yea, I have been using Flixzone} for since december myself :D

  • @elijahcory4848

    @elijahcory4848

    3 жыл бұрын

    @Dario Reid Definitely, been using flixzone} for months myself :)

  • @vvr7176
    @vvr71763 жыл бұрын

    Excellent video..👍

  • @MountainRoadRide

    @MountainRoadRide

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the feedback! So glad that you found the video helpful.

  • @lovenottheworld5723
    @lovenottheworld57232 жыл бұрын

    They look good head on and also looking down on them. That's the main thing.

  • @Grunge_Cycling
    @Grunge_Cycling3 жыл бұрын

    That's why I love Giant for giving us a M/L option

  • @MountainRoadRide

    @MountainRoadRide

    3 жыл бұрын

    Very true. I rode a Giant TCR Advanced for a number of years - in the M/L size.

  • @Mosely2007
    @Mosely20072 жыл бұрын

    May look into these. Currently using Red Shift Kitchen sink bars on gravel. Really like them. Especially the short drops. Good for climbing. After six hand surgeries I want comfort

  • @MountainRoadRide

    @MountainRoadRide

    2 жыл бұрын

    What worked really well for me was adding some gel inserts beneath the bar tape. This added the most comfort to the setup. Check out my blog post that goes along with this video to see which type of gel inserts I used. I can definitely recommend them.

  • @dancing8595
    @dancing8595 Жыл бұрын

    Great review. have you tried the redshift kitchen sink? any experience with Redshifts', Cane Creek's, or both suspension products? Thanks!

  • @luiso.1520
    @luiso.15203 жыл бұрын

    just on looks alone this is a go

  • @j2thezla
    @j2thezla3 жыл бұрын

    just ordered these after watching this

  • @MountainRoadRide

    @MountainRoadRide

    3 жыл бұрын

    You’ll enjoy them. I’m gaining more respect for this bar the more I ride with it.

  • @BrianRPaterson

    @BrianRPaterson

    Жыл бұрын

    I spotted a set of these on the rack in my local bikeshop and snapped them up. As an ageing mountain bikes, the max width 48cm versio seemed just the ticket.

  • @richardhookway
    @richardhookway7 ай бұрын

    Hi, thanks for the review. How are you finding these three years on? I am considering these, the Ritchey Ergomax and the Specialized hover bars.

  • @tomwoodbury192
    @tomwoodbury1923 жыл бұрын

    Great review, thanks. I’ve subscribed! Can I ask what camera you are using? Super clear image. Thanks

  • @MountainRoadRide

    @MountainRoadRide

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for subscribing! The outdoor shots for this review was done with a GoPro Hero7. I've purchased the Hero 9 in recent months and its image quality is even better. Amazing how powerful GoPros are nowadays.

  • @tomwoodbury192

    @tomwoodbury192

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@MountainRoadRide thanks for the reply, appreciate it

  • @falcoperegrinus82
    @falcoperegrinus82 Жыл бұрын

    Have you also considered the kitchen sink bar? Any thoughts on it?

  • @cabaneencac5168
    @cabaneencac51685 ай бұрын

    I'm used to width 44 at the level of the hoods and I find the 45 offered too large at the drops level . I was wondering if by bolting the hoods lower on the curve part of drop on your 42 I could get the 44 width I want ? Would like to measure it myself at LBS but at each store I go it's a special order . Thks

  • @2StepTim
    @2StepTim3 жыл бұрын

    What size stem are you running in this video? I have the same 42cm surly bars I'm about to install, looking forward to riding these bars, thanks for making this video!

  • @MountainRoadRide

    @MountainRoadRide

    3 жыл бұрын

    The stem that you see in the video is a 90mm stem with a +-12degree angle. I think you’re going to like these bars. I’ve been running mine on the bike now for a few months and have been very pleased with this purchase. I did add the gel inserts that I mentioned in the video and that helped to give some padding to the top if you find it too harsh.

  • @2StepTim

    @2StepTim

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@MountainRoadRide thank you so much for the Intel! I'll prob get some gel inserts as well, sounds like maximum comfort! I'm super stoked to get these bars fitted and put some miles on them ! Happy pedaling!!!

  • @kevbogey
    @kevbogey2 жыл бұрын

    have your wrists adjusted to the slightly inward tilted hoods? very interested in getting the Surly Truck Stop due to the rise or should I go for the Ritchey Comp ErgoMax Handlebar.

  • @MountainRoadRide

    @MountainRoadRide

    2 жыл бұрын

    I didn’t have that wrist tightness for very long and I actually now prefer the tilted hood position over anything else. So much so that I’m thinking of replacing my road bike’s normal bar with a gravel handlebar. I’ve never tried the Ritchey Comp ErgoMax, so I can’t really make any meaningful comparisons there.

  • @lampshade8969
    @lampshade89693 жыл бұрын

    Have you tried it with a handlebar bag? I like the look of these, but I'm not sure how they would work with bikepacking bags. Thanks for the video!

  • @MountainRoadRide

    @MountainRoadRide

    3 жыл бұрын

    I haven’t yet. I’m hoping to get a bar bag in the next few weeks and will be sure to test it out then. The one I’m planning to get will attach via some straps, but I’ve seen a bunch of bags that attach via two bar mounts on each side of the stem face. I’m guessing those bags “should” work without any issues. The clamping surface that you get with the Truck Stop bar provides enough space for mounting stuff like that.

  • @pedalscript
    @pedalscript3 жыл бұрын

    Hey, great review once again! Would you be able to measure the width of the clamping section of the bar (the part where the tube is going straight (before going up for the rise)? :) I was thinking about the Specialized Hover flared bars but the clamping section on them is too narrow. This one has even more rise which is better IMO but not sure how wide the clamping area is?

  • @MountainRoadRide

    @MountainRoadRide

    3 жыл бұрын

    That part of the bar measures in at around 10cm. My stem clamp takes up 3.5cm, so I still have lots of space to mount my Garmin and a light on the bar. Just before the bar rises up there is about 0.5 to 1cm that can also be added to the 10cm, but this is slightly narrower than the standard 31.8 clamp diameter.

  • @pedalscript

    @pedalscript

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@MountainRoadRide This helps a lot, thanks! The handlebar bracket for my B&M dynamo light takes about 7.3cm of width (1.5cm on both sides of the stem headplate which is 4.3cm wide), so I have the ability to mount it on the bar with room to spare! Similarly to your situation, I'm struggling with a low-stack geometry and trying to compensate for that, this bar really fits the bill. Another option is the newly-released Profile Design DRV/GMR bar which has 9mm of rise and wide clamping area and interesting drop/flare design, without putting the hoods in a skewed position / pointing inwards. Other riser drop bars like Ritchey ErgoMax or Soma Condor 2 etc. do not have such a wide clamping area as the Truck Stop or Profile Design DRV/GMR.

  • @MountainRoadRide

    @MountainRoadRide

    3 жыл бұрын

    I saw that new bar that Profile Design released. As someone who comes from a triathlon background I’ve had a few Profile design parts on my bike in the past and the quality has always been good. Be sure to also look at the riser bars that Specialized make. I nearly bought one from them. They have the Hover bar (15mm rise) and if you really want to go extreme there is also the Aerofly bar (25mm-non gravel).

  • @pedalscript

    @pedalscript

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@MountainRoadRide That's interesting as I'm also into triathlon and have been using their T3+ aero bars and the Fast Forward seatpost and they've been fine (except for the plastic armrest cracking in normal use under my 67kg or 150lbs weight, replaced the armrest with aluminium ones which are more sturdy). The only thing that makes me hesitant about the new bars is the alternating curve on the drops, not sure how that feels like in practice as I'm using the drops quite a lot with my hands positioned on the frontal part of the curvature (to maintain optimal reach for the brake levers). That alternating curve might not be as comfortable for palms as a more regularly shaped curve. I also spoke about the Specialized Hover flared gravel bars that you mentioned in my first comment, however these do not have wide enough clamp area for my dynamo light bracket and/or aero bars (the width of the clamp area is merely about 65mm). Only the regular Hover bar (without flare) has a wide clamp area (about 100mm wide) but this bar doesn't have any flare so not comfortable to ride on the drops for extensive periods (and less control over rough surface). The design of the new PD bar is very similar to the 3T Superghiaia bar which is carbon and thus more expensive (also not compatible with aero bars, and more prone to damage should a nasty crash take place).

  • @mionome501
    @mionome5012 жыл бұрын

    Great video! New sub! Di you know something with even more rise? Thank you very much

  • @MountainRoadRide

    @MountainRoadRide

    2 жыл бұрын

    Welcome to the Mountain Road Channel and thank you for the sub! Yes, SOMA Fabrications makes the Condor 2 bar with 50mm of rise (bit.ly/3aO8ncI).

  • @mionome501

    @mionome501

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@MountainRoadRide wow amazing, that's what really I was looking for!

  • @KaramikoAlexander
    @KaramikoAlexander2 жыл бұрын

    How's ur surly stop truck now? Do you think the top position is not good for people with small hand? (Although I have) how about the thumb position, is it comfortable?

  • @MountainRoadRide

    @MountainRoadRide

    2 жыл бұрын

    These bars have been super comfortable. They've done exactly what I needed them to do, by providing the extra stack height. The thumb postion works great, in my opinion. It gives me a solid grip when climbing with my hands on top of the bar.

  • @newjawn9004
    @newjawn90042 жыл бұрын

    I also have the Surly Truckstop Bar and also the Garmin Extended Mount. However, on my bike the extended mount is still very loose even with the thin rubber ring inserted inside the clamp. Did you have that problem and, if so, how did you solve it? Thanks.

  • @MountainRoadRide

    @MountainRoadRide

    2 жыл бұрын

    I had no issues to fit the Garmin mount very securely. I wonder if it might have something to do with the thickness of your stem’s front. I have the mount almost pushed up against the stem, with only 2-3mm gap in between. Check this first, otherwise you might have to look at a hack like using some electrical tape on the bar to thicken up the clamp area for the Garmin mount.

  • @newjawn9004

    @newjawn9004

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@MountainRoadRide Thank you. I have an Ortlieb Handlebar bag mounted dead center, thus the Garmin Extended Mount cannot go flush against the stem and has to be offset a bit. With a handlebar bag, the Extended Mount is not as friendly, so to speak. As you know, the Truckstop bar is thicker near the center and then thins a bit. I suspect that I will need to use electrical tape of some other thin rubber shim. I have the Surly Disc Trucker that I will use exclusively for road touring. That said, I've enjoyed watching your videos. Thanks again and best to you.

  • @ScefingScyld
    @ScefingScyld Жыл бұрын

    Hi! Have You tried to check the weight of this thing? The official numbers are not published.

  • @MountainRoadRide

    @MountainRoadRide

    Жыл бұрын

    You’ll see that I weigh it in the video - shown at the end of tech specs section.

  • @ScefingScyld

    @ScefingScyld

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MountainRoadRide It was "Stack height" section, but found it, thanks)

  • @AA43560
    @AA435602 жыл бұрын

    What stem length are you using?

  • @MountainRoadRide

    @MountainRoadRide

    2 жыл бұрын

    This is a 90mm stem with a 12degree angle.

  • @19chucky62
    @19chucky623 жыл бұрын

    How is on your shoulders, just had rotator cuff surgery!?

  • @MountainRoadRide

    @MountainRoadRide

    3 жыл бұрын

    I can’t say that I’ve noticed much of a difference on my shoulders. The more upright position created with the bars definitely reduces the strain on my lower back and neck, but in terms of vibration reduction going into the shoulders it’s still the same as any other alum bar. Sounds like a suspension stem might work for your scenario.

  • @illateast074
    @illateast074 Жыл бұрын

    better pair it with zero degree stem