Correct size Accessory bar for Sherpa mk3

[ZeroBike]

Hi I need an accessory bar for a handle bar bag for a Sherpa and wondered what the correct size was as they seem to come in a few different sizes.

Thanks

[mickeg]

There are a lot of variables, do you use drop bars or flat bars, length and angle of your stem, if you are using it for a handlebar bag - the distance from the bar to the bag, how much clearance you want, etc.

I use drop bars and I have interrupter brake levers.  I like to have enough room between my handlebar bag and bars so that I can easily put my hands in between when I am wearing ski gloves, plus a little more room so things are not too tight, but I do not want too much more clearance than that.  But you might have completely different ideas on how you want to fit one.

[ZeroBike]

I use the comfort bars

[lewis noble]

There are also different sizes of 'mounting' bar, different diameters of the bar that you mount the bag, lights or whatever on.  some correspond to the 'swollen' part of the bars, others to the narrower outboard sections.  My experience is that the ones with the larger diameter function better.

I am likely to get rid of mine with the smaller diameter, will put on here.

I use mine for lights, as I use bar end shifters mounted on the bars for gear shifters - as in Sherpa brochure, I think.  They work fine, but reduce the space you have on the bars, in my case, not enough left for map holder or similar.  So I have put the lights on accessory bar prior to a tour in the summer.

They can be surprisingly fiddly to fit - especially to make sure they do not interfere with cable runs and cable curves etc. 

Lewis

[Slammin Sammy]

Hi I need an accessory bar for a handle bar bag for a Sherpa and wondered what the correct size was as they seem to come in a few different sizes.

Thanks

Mate, if you're referring to the Thorn accessory bars that fit to your steerer tube, you'll need to work out the length and angle that will suit your purpose, and whether to mount it above or below the stem in the stack.

I use one for my Ortleib handlebar bag, plus my Cateye bike computer. I have another carbon fibre bar above the handlebar for additional fruit.

I'll post a photo from my PC tomorrow.

[Danneaux]

Mate, if you're referring to the Thorn accessory bars that fit to your steerer tube, you'll need to work out the length and angle that will suit your purpose, and whether to mount it above or below the stem in the stack.

Sammy's correct, Zero'. The size you choose/need does depend on many variables and it took me awhile to find the ideal setup for my Nomad. Too close for the HB bag and the lid would be difficult to open and close. Too long, and it would put the weight a long ways out front. It also depends on where you mount the T-bar on the steerer, since the steerer is inclined, and how long your stem is, and the vertical gap between everything.

In summary, "It depends" -- on everything!

I would suggest you take a caliper or ruler or a piece of cardboard cut to size and see if you can mock up what you need. The 55mm and 105mm measurements are taken from the center of the steerer to the center of the T-bar crossbar. Most have a crossbar diameter of 22.2mm, so half of that would add 11.1mm to your model length. One new model is 105mm extension x 25.4mm crossbar diameter, so half the diameter would be 12.5mm in added length. Once you have your model, hold the handlebar bag with bracket mounted to it and see which length gives the most desirable positioning for your setup. Lewis is also correct: Cables can loop 'round the T-bar when steering unless care is used in setup, so be sure to factor this in as well.

If you'd like to see a photo showing the relative size difference between the 55mm and 105mm Thorn Accessory T-bars in various places on an uncut steerer, see my Nomad gallery entry as I was playing with my initial setup and had *three* T-bars in two sizes mounted: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=4523.msg22081#msg22081 Of course, I later switched to compact drops and a negative-rise 60mm stem, so everything ended up a bit different. Very pleased with the final results, which can be seen in development here: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=4523.msg28317#msg28317 The final setup as I like it is here; yours will of course vary: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=4523.msg35037#msg35037
...and here...
http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=4523.msg36599#msg36599
Front view: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=4523.msg35115#msg35115

Best,

Dan. (...who prefers a T-bar or two to a drinks bar)

[Slammin Sammy]

Here's my setup:



Perhaps a better view:



So, I've got my Ortleib mount, Cateye and Luxos U switch/USB on the Thorn accessory bar underneath the stem, and the Wahoo RFLKT+ and Garmin Edge 800 on the top bar, which I made myself out of brackets and a length of carbon fibre bar I bought on eBay. Note: There's room on the top bar for a GoPro or a phone/iPad mount, which is my next addition.

Do I need all of this stuff? Perhaps not, but I'm still playing with nav solutions, which vary depending on where I am. The Garmin is reliable, but needs a buffer battery for all day rides, and I hate the interface and built-in maps. The Cateye is my most reliable odometer.

The Wahoo talks to my phone or iPad and to the Garmin (it is a Bluetooth/Ant+ bridge), and displays numerous data fields in a much easier to read in bright sunlight LCD display. I use it with the Cyclemeter app to log my route, times, climbs, etc. to Strava. It will even read my HR monitor, which is Ant+. The problem with the Wahoo is that it is less than reliable, sometimes switching off or losing connection part way through the ride. The phone is close (usually in a top tube case just 25cm from the RFLKT+), so I don't get it. It uses a button battery which is supposed to last a year or more with normal use, but I have found it sometimes freezes "on" and drains the battery unbeknownst.

All of this (except for the Cateye) will hopefully be rendered surplus to requirements if I can get a readable output from my iPad mini, which is being mounted to the top bar in a Lifeproof fre case and cradle. Photos shortly.