First test ride with the handlebar set-up went better then expected. Fermilab and boy was it windy. First impressions - you are more upright and exposed to the wind and elements without the drop bars, but the ride is delightfully fast and more comfortable then with my Nitto randonneuring bar. It has a weird "dancing on the pedals" feel and the trucker feels like a champ in this arrangement. It would be one bad ass commuter bike.
Down side: is that you really can only get 2 or so hand grip positions. I did start to feel a little twitchy in my hands after an hour or so. I like the front "naked" bar spot for stretching and a little bit of an aero position for this set-up. Thinking that moustache bars would also be really nice on the LHT.
Good Things: I love the new cork grips!! After 4 coats of amber shellac they feel great and look super sweet. Another huge plus with installing the grips and bar-end shifters was I needed to use the "Dremel tool...yea!!!"
Jagwire Cable -B+ With the new set-up I needed to re-cable and replace the housings. The rear derailleurs cable now needs to be a tandem cable! Which is no biggie because of my Rans Stratus XP recumbent. But down side is that tandem cables cost more and are harder to find. Approx $12 each!! The jagwire sets are great, more then enough cable, great color/texture options and good smallwares. Little pricy but worth it. The color chosen for the LHT was "Titanium" and they are tough looking.
Really looking forward to my first test ride with Jack and the Burly trailer. Test Ride number 1 " ...great success..."
Ride On!
