A recommended part for customizing your cross bike is the "bar end bar."

Since the handlebar is flat and the bar is attached to its end, it's called a "bar end bar," a somewhat unusual name.

■ Effects of installing bar end bars

The main advantage of installing bar end bars is that you can change your hand position.

On a road bike, the handlebars have a drop shape, allowing for multiple grip positions.

This allows you to change your grip even on long rides (referring to about 100km), which reduces stress on your hands.

On the other hand, cross bikes have flat handlebars, and it's said that you can't change your grip, which is one reason why they're considered less suitable for long-distance riding.

In reality, you can change your grip even with flat handlebars, but bar end bars expand that range.

■ Safety and risks of bar end bars

If you install bar end bars and can still reach the brake levers with your fingers, you can quickly grab the brakes and stop if something happens.

On the other hand, if you only grip the bar end bars and cannot reach the brake levers, you'll need to re-grip in an emergency braking situation, delaying your braking time.

If you're traveling at 30 km/h and it takes 1 second to re-grip the brakes, you'll travel 8.33 meters in that time.

Unlike cars, when you sense danger, you'll unconsciously stop pedaling, and your reaction time will likely be shorter than 1 second, so the actual distance traveled will probably be shorter. However, even if you sense danger, there's a risk of ending up directly in front of a car coming out from the side of the road.

For safety, always grip the handlebars in a position where your fingers can reach the brake levers.

■ Precautions when installing bar end bars

When installing bar end bars, you need to remove the handlebar grips.

Care must be taken when removing these grips.

You can remove them by twisting and rotating them a little, then rotating them in the opposite direction, and repeating this process to gradually move them outwards, but doing this often hurts your palms.

If you often use your palms or ride a bicycle regularly, your palms may be calloused enough that it's not a problem, but most people will likely suffer from palm pain for several days.

According to bicycle shops, the easiest way to remove old grips is to make a cut with a utility knife and peel them open.

If you don't plan to reuse the grips, this is probably the easiest method.

The grips I had weren't long enough to install bar end bars, so I cut off the unnecessary parts.

If you mark it and cut it by rotating a utility knife, it takes more effort but results in a clean cut.

Using scissors cuts it easily, but the cut surface often becomes slanted, which doesn't look very good.

However, if you secure the bar end bar by pressing it against the cut surface, the cut surface won't be noticeable.

In my case, the grip end had started to split, so I cut off all the cracked parts, making it shorter than the desired length.

There are various ways to secure bar end bars depending on the product, but many seem to be secured with cap screws (socket head bolts).

Secure it with the appropriate torque.

Otherwise, it may come loose while riding.

However, M4 or M5 screws are often used, so the possibility of stripping them by hand is low.

I think it's fine if you tighten them firmly within reasonable limits.

Regarding the short grips, you just need to measure the required length and buy grips of the appropriate length.

Gradually making changes is one of the joys of customizing it yourself.

■ Gripping methods using bar end bars

In another article, I informed you about different ways to grip flat handlebars. Here, I will inform you about the variations that become possible only after installing bar end bars.

• 　Standard

This is the most standard way to grip using bar end bars.

Be careful as depending on the installation angle, you might not be able to reach the brake levers.

In the image, the brake lever is gripped with the thumb.

I usually grip the brake lever with my middle, ring, and pinky fingers.

Gripping with only the thumb felt a bit unsettling at first, but in practice, there was no problem at all in terms of reaction speed or grip strength.

• 　Pinky on top

If you only look at it, you might wonder how much difference this makes, but when you actually try it, it's a little different from a regular grip.

It definitely reduces stress, so I'd like to add it as one type of grip.

• 　Pinky gripping

It's almost the same as "pinky on top," but there are times when I still want to do this.

For some reason, gripping with my finger gives me a sense of security.

I'd like to add this to my gripping methods as well.

• 　Palm on top (maintaining bar end bar grip)

My fingers can easily reach the brake levers, and the weight of my upper body is distributed along a line rather than a point, making it much more comfortable.

Moreover, with two lines of support, it definitely became easier than without the bar end bars.

• 　Palm on top (maintaining handlebar grip)

This grip is almost identical to the previous one, but the center of gravity of the palm is different.

The angle of the wrist is also different, which is a relief when riding for long periods.

• 　Bar end bar only

This method involves gripping only the bar end bars.

Since your fingers won't reach the brake levers, riding long distances with this method is dangerous.

Use it like a light stretch while riding.

Of course, if you feel the need for a proper stretch, stop and raise your arms or do some flexibility exercises.

Bar end bars are available at affordable prices, so you can easily try them out.

Ensure your safety and enjoy!

▲ICAN Carbon Wheels