I’ve heard that back in the day, silver parts were the standard, and black parts were rare and something to be coveted.
Today, that narrative has flipped, and black components have come to dominate almost the entire bicycle parts market.
Silver parts are what we, and everyone else, are looking for.
However, we couldn’t help but think there must still be areas where black hasn’t fully taken over.
So, we went on a search for things that could be turned black, as if we were trying to fill every square on an Othello board with black discs.
We’ve also been hearing from many people who want to use bicycles for commuting due to the recent pandemic.
These "commuter bikes," as they are called, are tools designed to be ridden comfortably and arrive at your destination quickly. In my opinion, there are three essential requirements:
1. An upright riding posture that provides a wide field of vision.
2. It shouldn't limit the clothes you wear.
3. It should be built as affordably as possible (including having options for when repairs are needed).
Personally, these are the three things I prioritize when consulting with customers.
Of course, the most important factor is sometimes just a look that boosts your mood, so I occasionally end up breaking my own rules.
Speaking of handlebars recommended for commuters, it occurred to us that the models we suggest were only available in silver. So, we asked Nitto, and the long-awaited black handlebars have finally arrived!
【NITTO】 B302AA Black
Material: Aluminum
Clamp diameter: 25.4 mm
Bar diameter: 22.2 mm
Width: 490 mm
Rise: 65 mm
Reach: 48 mmPrice: 4,730 yen (tax included)
Price: 5,500 yen (tax included)
*Price revised in April 2022.
NITTO North Road Bar / B302AA.
These handlebars were commonly used on the good old three-speed British bicycles and get their name from the North Road Cycling Club.
Designed for riding comfortably on uneven terrain with bikes of that era, mounting them upward provides a comfortable position suitable for city bikes, while mounting them downward creates a more aggressive position.
【NITTO】 B307AA Black
Material: Aluminum
Clamp diameter: 25.4 mm
Bar diameter: 22.2 mm
Handlebar width: 435 mm
Rise: 50 mm
Reach: 80 mmPrice: 4,950 yen (tax included)
Price: 5,830 yen (tax included)
*Price revised in April 2022.
The B307AA maintains the traditional shape of the aforementioned North Road Bar, but with a slightly narrower width for city use.
Since you can grip the bars with your wrists at a natural angle, it helps reduce fatigue. I imagine smaller riders will also find that these allow for a very relaxed hand position.
【NITTO】 RM016 Black
Material: Heat-treated aluminum alloy
Clamp diameter: 25.4mm
Handlebar diameter: 23.8 mm
Drop: 50 mm
Reach: 95 mm
Inner diameter: 20 mm
Width: 515 mm
Price: 8,580 yen (tax included)
NITTO Mustache Bar / RM016.
As the name "mustache" suggests, these bars are shaped like a gentleman’s handlebar mustache.
With a bar outer diameter of 23.8 mm, you can use standard aero brake levers or reverse levers commonly found on drop bars. As the 50mm drop specification suggests, they are basically used as downward semi-drop bars, but mounting them in reverse allows you to enjoy a more relaxed position.
Now that we have them in black, they truly live up to the name "mustache."
Yes, all of these handlebars can be flipped, so if you wanted a relaxed ride but suddenly feel like enjoying a more sporty experience, just turn them around and—presto—you’ve got a more road-bike-like position. These are versatile handlebars that are a great choice precisely because parts can be so hard to come by these days. Please consider adding them to your list of handlebar candidates.
A world dyed entirely in black.
Are the rays of silver light and the many beautiful anodized colors shining there what make it beautiful, or is the black that supports those shining objects playing the role of a solemn, elegant backdrop? Let's discuss that over a drink sometime.
