Jones type bars …cheaper versions + ques re climbing.

I’ve never ridden the big sweep Jones type bars as whenever I’ve fitted any bars with reasonable backsweep it just felt odd (+ I like bar ends.) I do however value a comfortable riding position.
I think what has put me off is that I often ride quite steep climbs and like to stand and pull/brace myself with the bars. This seems less easy with the Jones type and I presume it’s better suited to seated climbs.
I recently saw Bedmaker doing a rigid Fatbike decent using such bars and he made it look easy .
Do they just feel weird at first ?…It seems there is less to brace against also on hard braking when compared to standard bars?.
Anyhow ..I’m considering giving them a go and also wanted to ask re the copies /similar bars as they seem more reasonably priced.
I like a very wide bar normally.
Any recommendations ,suggestions, advice would be much appreciated.
Cheers
Bill

I’ve got the on one Jeff bars. I thought they’d feel weird at first but it actually felt really natural from the word go. You might need a longer stem though. No issues standing up and pulling on the bars. Hands on the points where the loop joins is an excellent position for long stead climbs and you can use it to get surprisingly aero on the road. Might not be for everyone but I love them.

I’ve used https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/HBOOGBV2/on-one-geoff-handlebar in the past, they are great for long distance off road bike packing, they handled the rough stuff fine, but they wouldn’t be my bar of choice for “shredding the gnar” also great for strapping a dry bag to the underside of the loop with a couple of straps.

I think what has put me off is that I often ride quite steep climbs and like to stand and pull/brace myself with the bars. This seems less easy with the Jones type and I presume it’s better suited to seated climbs.

I’d say the opposite, the Jones bar or anything with a similar sweep lets me use my core strength and arms more. Jones bars are so good on a single-speed. They don’t feel as good on a longer-reach bike though, work best on something where the bars are closer to you when stood up and hauling.

Do they just feel weird at first ?…

Yes, but ime some of the most worthwhile changes in bike set up are the ones that feel wrong to begin with, it’s a protest from muscle memory and a sign you’re re-learning so it may end up as a positive once you adjust (it may not, but it’s worth persevering for a number of rides)

It seems there is less to brace against also on hard braking when compared to standard bars?

Depends, if they’re angled down at the tips and you can get your weight back I don’t have any problems. I can brake really hard on my Jones, it has a very stiff fork, big rotors, a low BB and the ease of getting my weight back – the bars have never felt limiting.

I’m well used to them now but overall I prefer them on a rigid bike, they feel more natural overall. For a bigger FS bike that I don’t ride for more than a few hours at a time I’d go back to flat bars.

I’m a few weeks into using the Geoff bars and am really liking them so far. Initially I felt it made the bike feel short with them, but have quickly grown accustomed to the more upright position, and make use of the various hand positions (some of which do offer the opportunity to stretch out a little). Got round to wrapping some of the loop sections yesterday and makes them even more comfortable and useable. Found myself standing on the pedals and hauling on the bars yesterday’s evening ride and, again, felt pretty natural. They’re amazing downhill too. Might up my stem length by 10mm, but not essential at this point…

Best bit was the Geoff’s only cost me £20 when on offer a few weeks ago, so were certainly worth a try at that price!

I’ve tried a few different alt bars on my rigid bike but like most things it comes down to how they fit you.

I’ve finally settled on a 12° sweep. Nothing extreme. Just feels right. Anything above that felt awkward for me.

I hope they work out for you but like me you could end up with a pile of bars you don’t need anymore😂

Survivor ..I already have a pile of bars sitting unused !

I’ve got the On One Geoff bars on my Ramin 3+. Another attempt at finding something my wrists would like. My wrists have asked me to tell you that they really like them. Fortunately so does the rest of me. It looks like I should put a longer stem on but I’ve not felt that riding it. I was surprised that climbing out of the saddle wasn’t an issue. I tend to sit and spin most of the time but when I have been stood up it’s been ok. I’m a cross country rider on a rigid bike and for that they work for me up, down and on the flat. I’ve just tilted them down a bit as after a 3 day bikepacking trip a couple of weeks ago I felt that that might improve things even more. I’ve not actually tried it yet but it feels “right” just sat on the bike.

Jones bar user (have the ally ones but currently running the carbon ones)

They feel unusual but once used to them they’re ace. Great for standing and honking (had them on my SS) but also great for rigid riding. I use mine on a cotic solaris with a carbon rigid fork

I’ve used Jones bars on my fat bike as well as my rigid (both geared and SS). Yes they feel a bit weird at first but once you’ve got them dialled I think they’ve ace.

Don’t be afraid to muck around with bike fit / bar angle as I found it’s not as simple as replacing flat bars with them, they take a bit of tinkering to get right.

I have (genuine) Jones bars on my rigid fat bike and my FS Salsa Spearfish. I swap between standard riser bars and Orange Velo Crazy bars, which also have a 45deg sweep, on my Solaris.

Jeff Jones recommends a starting point of aiming the bars at the rear axle, probably fine for his own long wheelbase bikes, but I find around a 10deg tail down setting to be about right. Again, you need to play around to find what works for you: too steep and you can’t easily dropping into an aero tuck as your elbows go too low; too shallow and your wrists are at a funny angle.

Standing and honking I usually hold them around the joint between the front and rear parts of the loop.

As for feeling “natural”, start with your arms by your side then lift your hands up to just below shoulder height and you’ll notice that they angle naturally around 45dg so your wrists should be straight when gripping the bars. I find that rather than bending your elbows “chicken wing” style you need to bend them with your elbows closer to your body and bend them as if doing a reverse barbell curl.

My advice would be, buy the Geoff bars, set them up in a way that works for you.

If you get on with them, great if you don’t, sell them and you’re only a few quid out on a worthwhile exercise. No brainer really.

I have them on my fatbike and 29+, both rigid. I find the position great for all-day riding, particularly with the Ergon grips. Never had any problems ascending or descending it’s different and might need some tweaking to get it to work – bars angled back, setting them horizontal just feels weird.

I tried Jones for a while, comfy for just riding about but I just didn’t click with them for riding down anything fast. I’d certainly try some geoffs if you are curious. I’d have them again on a bike just for bikepacking…though actually i would prefer flared drops for that.

Have Groovy cycle works luv handles now which are the Goldilocks Flat bars for me.

I tried the on one geoff bars on my karate monkey, felt unnatural at first, tried adjusting angle, tried a longer stem, tried them with a couple of different grips but in the end i just gave up and passed them on to a mate. His experience pretty much mirrored mine.
So, I’d say, they’re not for everyone.
I’m glad i tried em, and tbf they weren’t expensive.

Excellent stuff guys ..thanks for your feedback .