An upgrade for the Hunq

  What has turned into one of my most popular posts has been my discussion of the Rivendell Bosco Bars.  When I first used them, my reaction was that they were a real game changer in the hybrid/commuter market.  I still believe that, but, after doing a couple loaded tours and comparing the comfort and versitility to drop bars while touring, I've decided to use them on the Hunq.

     The current drop bars (PMT Silver which came with my Long Haul Trucker) feel fine, but not AS FINE as the Bosco Bars.  After adding the thumbshifters to the top, I was really happy with my hand positions and access to shifting on dirt and single tracks, 

but the shifters make the cockpit busy, ugly, focus the body weight into a narrower area,

 and reduce the options for hand positions.

      I found that the Bosco Bars widen the grip, allow an upright position on trails and in traffic while providing a very comfortable all-day riding position with stoker knobs and even provide a reasonable "aero" position for long mileage against the wind.  The most important impact the Bosco Bars have had for me(and this is really, really invaluable on loaded tours involving all day mileage) is they produce no, none, nada , nil numbness anywhere in my hands or forearms.  I can lean the web between my thumb and forefinger on the stoker knobs and leave my hands and wrists completely relaxed while  I pedal around for hours...and never lift them off to shake them!

      Well, because it's The Hunq, and going to get all sorts of ruff-assed-beatens, I chose  the Bullmoose type which has a built in quill and double, welded struts to the bar.

 That should stay together especially since this version is made with cro-mo steel rather than aluminum alloy.  I know it's going to add a few grams, but hell, it's the Hunq,

 that battle was lost on delivery.

So, it's obvious, the Bosco bars can spread the components out, provide a larger more usable hand area, and, since there is a 3 1/2 inch drop from the ends to the stem, I may be happy with bar end shifters again (if I can't bump them with my knees).

   Everything is taped in place and I intend to give them a whirl tomorrow, 

if I can stand the cold long enough to install them.