My Surly Troll has been an amazing bicycle, but ever since I built it with new and used parts the fit has seemed off. It always felt that I was too stretched out, and on longer rides I could really feel it in my arms. I really like alt bars, like my trusty On One Mary, and tried multiple stems to alleviate the problem. I finally decided to try another bar. Enter the Open Bar.
Before
After
As you can tell from the photos above, both sets of bars have plenty of sweep. The Open Bar however, brings your hands a little closer to your body, which is exactly what I was looking for. The Open Bar is very wide, but I like it. After installation, I searched out quite a few hills to see how they felt on the climbs. With their wide berth, climbing feels pretty good. Cranking away on the wide bars forces you to use not just your arms, but your core. Like I said, feels good.
In my area, finding Surly products in stock at any LBS can be quite the hassle. Luckily, I discovered a relatively new shop close to me by the name of Swallow Bicycle Works which happened to have this one. I will say, that once my daughter and I walked up to the door, I knew that this would be my new LBS, with the bike rack out front having a Surly decked out with bags and a cargo bike hanging out. They also have a vintage ride from the late 1800s hanging out in the front window, something you don’t see every day. Inside, the shop is packed with brands you don’t normally see, especially all in one place. Top it off with awesome customer service and a friendly vibe, and that is what I call quality. Well done Swallow Bicycle Works, you have my business. Check out their site, and their shop just off of 275 in Loveland.
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