From: rhlu@ux5.lbl.gov (richard lu)
Subject: AT-4 Pro bars
Reply-To: rhlu@ux5.lbl.gov (richard lu)
Organization: Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory
Distribution: na
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 22:19:26 GMT



Hi!
	About a month ago, there seemed to be a quite a hubbub over
the Scott AT-4/Pro bars.  The general consensus, if I recall, was that
they were well worth the investment.  Since my back was killing me on
steep uphill climbs, and my wrists&palms&shoulders were getting sore from
being forced to assume THE position (not very fun for rides over 2 hrs),
I followed the AT-4/bar-end thread with interest.   However, I wasn't
thoroughly convinced until a campus bike cop took a coupla minutes from
his patrol to tell me about the AT-4's on his bike (Digression:  do most
police bikes use these bars?  or is it not that common?  Admittedly, Cal
cops might _have to_ have them simply b/c there are so many hills on
campus.  Just wondering.)

	Anyways, I dropped off my bike at the shop to have the new bars
installed the next day.  Remembering the difficulties harped by those on
the net concerning installation of the AT-4's, I _knew_ I wanted the shop
people to do the work.  Since I bought the bike from them, they gave me
a deal on the labor _and_ they bought back the original stem (Bonus!)  :)
Oh yeah, the guy who did the work did a great job!  Not a scratch.  When
I asked how he did it, he mentioned the same technique that somebody on
the net (my apologies for forgetting who it was) already described -->the
trick with the dime and all.  Maybe whoever posted that technique can add
it to the FAQ for those do-it-your-selfers?

	Now for the results:
In a word, FANTASTIC!  After trying the bars out at several different
angles (another advantage of having the work done by a (patient) bike
pro), I settled on having them such that the ends were about 35-40 degrees
above horizontal (vs. the 15 to 20 degrees recommended by other posters).
Upon riding the steep hills around my stomping grounds, I felt much more
comfortable and the strain around my upper body disappeared.  Lifting
out of the saddle proved to be less dangerous on super steep climbs, b/c
I could lean further and higher towards the front, thus effectively shift-
ing my center of gravity.  Now for flat runs and descents, the bars can
serve pretty effectively as "aero-bars."  When I took my hybrid to L.A 's
riverbed bike paths, I found myself concentrating more on my pace rather 
than battling the wind-resistance.  At times, I could even keep up with
the "upper-class" (ie the Trek 2300's, Dales, and Kestrels)...  :)  -->but
I should add, not very long cuz I would poop out rather quickly  :)

But if there _is_ one thing lacking:  forearm supports.  Scott recommends
that you use their AT-4 Pro grips, the reason being that they are quite
thick and shock absorbant...the rider would then rest his/her forearms
on the grips while in the aero-position.  Hmmm...well, although I didn't
feel uncomfortable doing this during the ride, I noticed the next morning
that I had a pair of matching shiners on my forearms from where I was leaning
on them. (The paving on the bike path _did_ get very bumpy the closer I got
to PCH/beach) :(  I'm thinking of wearing arm pads the next time I try the
riverbeds.

Oh yeah, one last thing.  The large amount of surface area afforded by
the AT-4's lets one show off _alot_ of cool-looking wrapping of one's
own choice.  I like that, especially b/c it is more difficult to add
color and character to a MTB/Hybrid than to a road bike.  I do get alot
of comments from opposing traffic (and all those who pass me too!)  :)

Sorry this post was so long.  I should have just said "I love my AT-4's!"

-rich
Happy cycling!  "AND _HEY!_ Be careful out there!"