Let’s discuss handlebars, we could? Extra particularly, Tumbleweed Bicycle Co’s new Massive Dipper Drop Bar. Let me begin by saying that I like the Tumbleweed Persuader Bars that I’ve been utilizing. They’re vast (810mm) and great. So after I noticed that Daniel over at Tumbleweed launched their new Massive Dipper drop bar handlebar, I wished to attempt them out.
I’m a agency believer in the advantages of using with wider handlebars. In my expertise, they provide the rider extra consolation and management. In relation to attempting vast drop bars on the whole, I didn’t assume I’d initially like them. I’m from the old-timey days, when it was believed that your street bars ought to by no means be wider than your shoulders.
Just a few years in the past I had the chance to swap my 44cm bars on my Masi Rando bike and check out a “wider” pair of 48cm bars. Jeez, that modified how I felt concerning the wider bars. I actually favored the best way these 48cm bars felt, together with the added management and hand placement they provided me. I wished extra… I wished to go wider.
When it got here time to construct my first gravel bike, I selected the Curve Biking Walmer Bar in a 50cm. That bar felt like the proper width for me. I don’t assume it’s probably the most comfy bar, and I don’t look after the quantity of aptitude. However, I’ve put tons of of miles on it within the final 12 months, and I’m prepared for one thing completely different.
Alongside got here the Tumbleweed Massive Dipper drop bar.
The Massive Dipper Drop Bar
Daniel designed the Massive Dipper to pair completely with Tumbleweed’s drop bar journey bike, the Stargazer. Prepared for a superb time, the Massive Dipper drop bar is rated for off-road use (ISO 4210 mountain bike energy/fatigue testing). The bar has bought clamping diameter of 31.8mm and is fabricated from triple-butted 7000 sequence aluminum, which is stronger than 6000 sequence.
It’s vast proper from the get-go with the smallest dimension being 51cm. The sizes of the Massive Dipper go up from there with the following sizes being 54cm and 57cm. In response to Tumbleweed, the width is measured from middle to middle on the hoods. It has a shallow drop (109mm), a brief attain (50mm), in addition to a pleasant 5° again sweep.
First Impressions
After I obtained the handlebars, I used to be fairly excited to get them put in on my Masi Incanto. I had simply obtained recent rolls of Camp and Go Gradual’s Western Rattler bar tape and couldn’t wait to put in the bars. I’m sorry to say that I forgot to weigh the bars in my haste.
Tumbleweed offers a mean weight of 385g throughout the accessible sizes of the Massive Dipper. Mine is the smallest of the three, so I’m guessing mine (51cm) is underneath the typical weight. I don’t assume weight is essential when utilizing a bar like this. I’ll say that it feels considerably lighter than my 50cm Curve Walmer Bar (425g)
Straightforward Set up
Getting the bars mounted was simple sufficient. It had “backward and forward” markings that helped middle the bar within the stem. As soon as I bought them mounted and taped up, I took them out for a lil’ 20 miler.
Up to now, the 5° again sweep on the Massive Dipper feels ergonomic and comfortable. The Massive Dipper additionally feels extra compliant than the Walmer Bar on the little little bit of tough stuff that I’ve achieved to this point.
One other factor I like slightly higher concerning the Massive Dipper is the 20° flare when in comparison with the Walmer Bar’s 29° flare. On paper, the distinction between the 2 doesn’t look like a lot, however when using with the Massive Dipper, I immediately seen that it was extra comfy whereas braking within the drops.
The Massive Dipper has a pleasant quick attain of 50mm. When in comparison with the Walmer Bar’s 65mm, my preliminary thought is that I’ll must up the dimensions of my stem from 90mm to 100mm. However, the jury remains to be out, because the Dipper has me using a smidge extra upright within the bike’s present configuration, and I don’t hate it.
The 109mm drop on the Massive Dipper feels the identical as my Walmer Bar whose drop is 110mm, so nothing to report there initially.
Not the Finish
Up to now the bar appears like an amazing match for the Masi Incanto and for my using model. It has loads of room for lots of hand positions, and the actual property for a good-sized entrance handlebar bag.
I’ll be working the Massive Dipper by means of its paces within the months to return. If it’s something just like the Tumbleweed Persuader Bars that I’ve come to like a lot, I anticipate a strong relationship being constructed between myself and the Massive Dipper.
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