I am a huge proponent of drop-style handlebars for mixed-terrain riding. Lately, however, I’ve been wishing for more control when riding my front-loaded commuter on dirt roads and trails. I also wanted something that would be comfortable and efficient for on-road use. After doing some research, Titec’s J-Bar found itself at the top of my list.
At first glance, the J-Bar looks like a cross between a traditional porteur handlebar and flat MTB bars (with some bar-ends thrown in the mix). The design–licensed by Titec–is based on originator Jeff Jones’ H-Bar.
The Jones bars were designed to provide the following benefits:
- Better handling and power output
- More comfort and ergonomics
- Additional hand positions
Proper setup is the key to taking advantage of those benefits. The Titec J-Bars offer a tremendous fore/aft range, so it’s best to choose a stem length that “splits the difference,” reach-wise. In my case, I opted for an 120mm stem with an 8-degree rise. That replicated my drops’ on-the-hoods position when my hands were on the middle of the J-Bar’s extensions. Titec provides instructions that detail brake lever and shifter setup and positioning, and I found their advice spot-on when setting up my controls.
If you’re used to conventional drop bars, you’ll immediately notice J-Bar’s extra width. Measuring 660mm at the ends, they’re 200+ millimeters wider than my usual drops. That extra width–combined with the extensions’ 45-degree angle–creates a secure, natural-feeling grip (especially when the ends of the bars are angled down slightly). The J-Bar’s additional width also offers more leverage when you find yourself temporarily over-geared and need to grind out a climb instead of downshifting.
Other types of handlebars often seem to “lock in,” or define a bike’s feel or behavior. With the Titecs, however, I felt like the bike took on a different personality with each hand position. Want a mellow, heads-up position? Grab the bars at the very ends. Looking for a nice, middle ground? Slide your hands forward until they butt up against the cross-bar. Want to really stretch out? Drape your fingers (or wrists) over the forward extensions. No matter what your mood or preference, you’re bound to find a position that works for your particular needs.
The J-Bar is constructed from 6061-T6 butted aluminum, and is compatible with 31.8mm stems. For those who want a more upright position, the company’s H-Bar features a 1.5″ rise, and is compatible with 25.4mm stems. Both bars feature an anodized matte black finish, and are compatible with MTB-style (22.2mm) shifters and brake levers. For my setup, I used new-old-stock Avid Speed-Dial Ti brake levers, and Shimano bar-con shifters mounted on Paul Thumbies. I’m currently using cork grips and cork bar tape, but will probably try just cork tape in the future.
Disclosure: Titec and Paul Component Engineering provided review samples for this article, but offered no other form of compensation for this review.
Thanks for the review. How are they for out of the saddle climbing compared to drops?
Climbing out of the saddle is interesting (in a good way). Your hands are at more of an angle, and your grip is similar to when you’re on the drops. But the way I have them set up (height-wise), my hand position is where I would be if I was on the hoods.