Editor’s Letter
OUR COVER THIS MONTH FEATURES KARL PLATT – RIDING WITH BAR ENDS. SO THERE…
SORRY, CHRISTOPH SAUSER, BUT I’M NOT-SO- SECRETLY SUPPORTING KARL PLATT AT THIS YEAR’S ABSA CAPE EPIC. Maybe it’s because he’s the marginal underdog – or maybe it’s because he, like me, is one of the very few cyclists who still rides with bar ends.
But I’m not sure that Karl has to put up with the ridicule that I get for my bar ends. I guess it helps when you’ve won the Epic five times – no- one questions the equipment you use, or your methods for winning.
What I’ve been subjected to because of my protrusions borders on harassment. Even my 22-year- old son continues to question my use of extensions, while the rest of my regular mountain-biking crew would rather be seen wearing a tutu than have those unstylish little additions poking out from their handlebars.
But Karl – like me – sees the performance benefit in bar ends: an extra position for the hands, and a place to anchor your effort when climbing. Proven fact.
A few years back, even the great former world champion José Hermida was seen riding bar ends at World Cup XC races – the very Formula One of mountain biking. Sure, he was the only one. But he – like me and Karl – comes from an older generation that believes function beats form.
The evidence against bar ends is flimsy. I’ve heard all manner of theories, from the dramatic ‘ if you fall, they’ll rip into your abdomen and disembowel you, spreading your guts all over the trail’, to the ludicrous ‘ they’ll get hooked on a tree, and send you careening down the trail like a spinning top’. But these paper-thin arguments are merely a screen for the real reason, which rests simply in the realm of aesthetics: bar ends are to mountain bikers what hairy legs are to road riders – and that’s the nub of the matter.
Last year we interviewed legendary German racer Manuel Fumic, who is famous for riding the Epic in baggies and a hydration pack. He almost made them cool again among the marathon racers, but there wasn’t a big enough groundswell of support.
In enduro-style riding, things differ again: long baggies, large backpacks (rumour has it that they take along a buffet lunch!) and full body armour are all mainstays of enduro cred, but would be sniggered at by the XC community.
So here are my final thoughts on the issue of cycling style and choices: do
Bar ends are to mountain bikers what hairy legs are to road riders…
whatever works for you. We all ride for different reasons, and while comfort and performance may be my measure of bike harmony, style and form may be yours.
Just as long as you’re riding…