It was in 2002, or thereabouts, that I created the first Jones H-bar after holding two short pieces of tubing in my hands, out in front of me, while sitting on a bike in my shop without handle bars. More sweep seemed natural and right within the natural range of motion for my arms. 45 degrees is half way between a 90 degree sweep bar such as a normal road drop bar and a straight bar. The essence of the bar is the 45° sweep – this is where my hands want to be when riding a bike. Comfortable and controlling. Natural.
The bar was built from three tubes. I built versions in steel, then cro-moly and then Titanium. Adding forward extensions gave me additional hand positions – the multi-position H-bar emerged. I curved the forward extensions to improve the forward aero position. A shim adapted the bars to the OS (Over Size – 31.8mm) stem standard and then the H-bar itself was re-worked with a 31.8 center section – stronger.
A 0.5″ offset from this center section gives riders a choice for bar height depending on how the bar is fitted – Flip the bar over to raise or lower the bar 1″. Most people will want to H-bars in the higher position but the option is there. The next development was the Loop H-bar. The Loop adds to your options, both hand positions and for mounting accessories, shifters and bike-packing. The Loop stiffens the bar too. The crossbar junction moved forward a little to allow the shifters and levers to fit ‘rider side’. Changes and additions but all these H-bars stay true to the original 45° sweep – the hand positions – natural and comfortable while enabling power and control.
The original Loop is 660mm wide (straight across, center to center) but I’ve also developed (with Surly Bikes) a 710mm/28″ version. This adds 35mm to the rearward portion of the H-bar – for a wider more rearward hand position that is great for sitting more upright.
All are H-bars. H-bar for Handle-Bar. They have the 45° sweep, the 0.5″ vertical offset, and a multitude of hand-positions. But can I offer more, with less? I can. Back to basics, back to the beginning, with a twist. Well, with a Bend.
The Bend H-bar.
The original concept, the 45° sweep but the bend, where it is, ensures shifters and levers are a simple fit and the one piece butted aluminum construction delivers a bar 170g lighter than a Loop. Less hand position options, less stuff-mounting space, marginally less stiff but all you might ever need in an H-bar. No more, no less. A simple principle, beautifully executed.
The bikes I ride for long distances or at night have the Loop H-Bars so I have more hand positions and mounting points. The Bend H-bar is nice for bikes that don’t need things attached to the front of the bar (light, GPS, etc.) or an aero position. I am using the Bend H-bar on my single-track day riding bikes – it’s great.
The Bend H-bar is now available in the Jones Bikes shop and Biff has some in UK/Europe (although he needs to update his page – slack!). I’ve done a video too that has me talking through the evolution of the H-bar and some footage of the Bend H-bar. There are three H-Bar videos on my YouTube channel:
The new Bend H-Bar (and the H-bar story)
Jones Loop H-Bar – multiple hand positions
POV trail on a singlespeed – August 2012
