Jones-ifying a Bike? (Jones Bars on an El Mariachi)

[@johnware1220]

I completed a recent build of Salsa Ti Fargo with the standard 710 Jones HBar and absolutely love it. I have a medium amount of rise on the steer tube with a 90mm +15 degree Paul Component boxcar stem and some Ergon GC1 Biokork grips. For my old and decaying neck this set-up provides a nice upright primary position and with a padded and taped front loop, I also get a comfortable more aero position too. I was told the Fargo’s short top tube made the longer stem a good choice and provided a comparable reach to the “stock” Woodchopper Bars but with less drop. Great videos. Next weekend I’m going to ride the Sulphur Mountain loop you highlighted recently. Keep up the fantastic work.

[@MrBradleysharp1]

I feel like I followed your path a bit. Changed to Jones riser bars to keep my head up more on my El Oso Fat Bike. Quickly realized I needed to reduce the stem from a 70-7 to a 50-0. Then realized the recommended lever location is best which resulted in me ordering the Jones grips. So my $80 Jones bar upgrade cost me another $70 to get right. Totally worth it but wish I had seen your video before starting the change. Keep up the awesome work

[@kellymorris10342]

TOGS are awesome. Got a set based on seeing them in your videos, and I love them. Money well spent.

[@TheWolfboy0000]

Hello I put jones bars on my krampus, it worked so well I put a some on my kona sutra, liked it so we’ll I sold my road bike n bought a jones lwb Spaceframe, I built it slowly with discount parts n some I had, other wise a jones bike is very expensive to buy, I call it a middle bike, it’s not fast but goes from pavement to gravel to trails to soft muddy back woods areas, all with just a simple tire pressure adjustment, it’s truly a amazing bike, the thing I like best about jones bars is they are angled back, if you move your body forward your hands can resist forward movement, on a flat bar your hands roll, or twist and you have no leverage to keep you from going over the bars, you can also use that leverage to lift the back tire

[@Windingify]

@Anton Chigurh Hey there, I just put Jones H bend on my gravel bike as I cant ride drop bars. Also I am more of a long haul type of rider, than fast racing. ( is has a long top tube) They basically alter the whole bike into something of a versatile beast. Now it seems it can do everything, and I can just change up hand position to accomodate whatever hits me. I run it with the same stem, and will wait a bit to see if changes are needed. I run it a tad lower than they advice, but sp far it seems ok. And looks cool too.

[@edcatt9196]

I put a set of the flat Jones Loop H-Bar on my older (2014) Specialized Rock Hopper, which had a short stem to begin with (with a slight rise to it), and though your right about the front end maybe not as responsive as it would be on a Jones Bike, I love it for bike packing! The loop bar is great for lashing stuff below the bar, and above it, for a very stable and secure fit. I know this sort of set-up is probably heretical, but I like the bars on that bike, and I doubt I'll put the original flat bars back on. I did a sub240n last week, and it was so easy to get stuff on the bars and off again. I sometimes get strange looks from other riders but I love the bars just the same! I think, like you said, you will adjust to the quirks these bars will add to your Salsa bikes handling, but it's not that big of a deal (I don't think). Nice review. Thanks!

[@monkeyman8644]

I Jones-ifyed a specialized roll sport, added some ergon cork grips, wtb byway tires, and a brooks saddle in addition to the jones h-bars. very comfortable set-up for me.

[@klunker289]

Sounds like Russ is set on the 😏Jones SWB. I like it too, finally an affordable Jones bike. Jeff does have voodoo magic for sure. He is out there👍👍

[@electricfatbiker9717]

I added the jones h bar 2.5 to my fat bike and love it !

[@Nicky_Pin_It]

Just bought a Salsa AlaCarte Frame(basically a 26" version of the El Mar) I'll be building up soon and I'm thinbking Jones bars will be my bar of choice, Glad i found this video!!

[@francoisellett7298]

I very much like my Jones bars, I installed the bars like yours with the 2.5" rise, didn't like the handling with a short 50mm stem, swapped for an 80mm stem and love it. With the sweep back on the bars I felt it didn't affect grip position and gave me better handling and control climbing tech trails. My wrists love these bars, no more chronic discomfort after long trail rides which I still get with straight bars on my other trail bike.

[@johnnywilson5342]

I just put these on my bike and really like them. They handle well and are very comfortable.

[@barokemon]

Agree with most observations. Jones HBars seems to be easier on my wrists also. Handling was stable for me even on occasions when I clear small jumps. I almost always land straight unlike when I was on flat bars. Instead of the togs, I wrapped my bars with bar tape (and some extra Cinelli silicone pads) to enjoy any type of position I feel like. Be it aero or upright. Good review!

[@WanderABit]

Speaking about handlebar... since you rode and reviewed plenty of bicycles, maybe a suggested next topic -- handlebars! :-) Evaluation of them, which features you recognize as must-have, what works, what does not, etc.

[@MrRay645]

Would love to see some bar reviews, specifically looking for a drop bar with compliance or flex on the hoods vs just the drops.

[@madelineabreu355]

I have Jones Bars on my Masi Giramondo and I love them.

[@andrwplsn]

Great video russ. I love Jeff Jones magic style. I also tried to jonesify my pugsley taking into account his philosophy of being in that upright position. I used the oddity razorbar and having not ridden a Jones I feel that I'm pretty close. It's crazy how one component can change the ride feel so much.

[@andrwplsn]

Check out my instagram for a photo. @andrwplsn

[@davidrowe8747]

Those Tog thumb grips look a little small, as if a bump could easily dislodge your hands. I use SQ Lab Innerbarends, which have a similar concept but are larger and very ergonomic. Beautifully comfortable, can reach the controls while in the position, and feels just like riding the hoods. Love them!

[@johngriffith2875]

Thanks for the vid! I have a big dummy that I put the Jones bars on and love it! Def had to swap stems but was well worth it! Made the dummy feel more lively and the added length of the bars really helped with leverage when steering with loads ✌️

[@VideoNOLA]

I can definitely see the appeal of Jones bikes. Guy has serious/legit reasons for doing what he does with frames and wheels. Serious monetary commitment tho for something so non-standard and custom.

[@paulstrong2210]

It might be worthwhile to compare some geometry charts on some of these contrasting sort of reviews. The main reason the front end wants to come up is that the Mariachi has shorter chainstays and a higher bb. Try moving the alternators all the way back and see if that helps. The other option is a longer stem.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Might give the alternator adjustment a try! Good idea.

[@thunderinthenight13]

Came to a similar conclusion putting Jones bars on my Salsa Vaya. It got close to solving some of the issues I wanted to address on that bike. Definitely a 'cruis-ier' ride with more hand positions and interesting real estate for luggage. A couple of things I did notice was that I prefered an Ergon style grip with such swept bars and the sweep really does mess up your cabling into big ungainly loops. Currently my Jones bars are sitting in the garage waiting for the next bike I'll try them out on.

[@stanpinsky279]

Not sure if the manual was available at the time of this video or not. It covers everything grip length, control position, height, reach, and angle relative to the ground. "The Jones H-bar works best when the main grip area is approximately the same height as the saddle, and far enough back towards the saddle to allow you to sit very upright when holding the rearmost portion of the grip area. RTFM universal constant.

[@SurpriseMeJT]

You should look at the geometry numbers - stem length, head angle, seat angle, fork rake, wheelbase differences.

[@zfinch2008]

You gotta try VO's Crazy Bars with Ergon GC-1's. Such a great set up with lots of positions AND you can still use a handlebar bag. You even get a nice aero position with the bullhorns.

[@dalezapple2493]

Russ, another great video as usual!!

[@RogerWarszawa]

Another enlightening video, thanks. I was recently thinking about trying a Jones bar to solve my killer-wrist-soreness-after-not-very-long-at-all-when-using-a-flat-bar problem. But then I discovered how much Jones bars cost over here and that idea went away pretty quickly (and until watching this video I hadn’t fully considered how a Jones bar might have affected the handling, so it’s probably best I didn’t actually continue with the idea). The flat bars on my ‘reasonably priced’ (i.e. fairly cheap) Merida hybrid really aren’t for me due to the lack of positions and how it aggravates an old football (soccer) wrist injury, so I was looking around for alternatives. Firstly, drop bars (obviously, because they’re the bestest!), but the fairly high cost of brifters or bar end shifters both surprised me and stopped that idea. Then I flirted with butterfly/trekking bars, and I very nearly bought some, but in the end I didn’t think any of the positions would be ideal for me. So along came my short-lived Jones bars thought, before finally I went off at a slight tangent and fitted a set of clip-on tri/aero bars - problem solved! It’s been 30 years since I’ve used tri bars, and I wasn’t a massive fan of them then, but I absolutely love the position I get with them and the rest I can give to my wrists on a long ride - my rides are exclusively long, slow, grinding ‘day touring’ rides of 180-240km with relatively little time off the bike during each ride, so my wrists were really taking a hit before. But now, everything is peachy, I can stay down on the tri bars, which are set high and hence give me a relaxed position, for quite some time, in fact I think it’s now my preferred position. I still need to get a drop bar bike someday soon though.

[@lowbornCO]

My bars are on a Salsa Fargo and the geometry is really quite similar. The Jones forks just curve out forward a little at the end. I think that may give you a slight sense of being down in your seat. The seat post on the Jones pointing to rear just slightly helps aid that settled feeling you were experiencing with the forks.

[@elachichai]

Thanks for a nice review Can you mount the standard Ortleib front handlebar bag (bracket mount) on the loop? Is the backsweep a little too much? making it less sporty. Is it erring on the other extreme to flat bars creating opposite wrist rotation? Can you elbow - wrist rest on 2 points for aero position... occasionally though? Do you need horns added to the front bar loop?

[@regarcher3376]

I had the Jones bars on a Surly Karate Monkey and found they gave me more of a touring feel. I wanted more of an MTB feel and settled on the Salsa Bend bars with the 23 degree sweep.

[@thisishowiedewitt76]

Great video and I'm looking forward to part two. I've been considering trying one of the H bars on my Soma Juice. Aesthetically, I think I prefer the looks of the original H bar, but from a practical stand point the 2.5 H bar may be more comfortable.

[@danmitchell3758]

Looking for info on what it takes to go from drops on salsa Marrakesh to jones h bars Diff brake lever / shifters / deraileur?? I ride 2x10

[@cardiojunkie8731]

I actually just put on a Soma Osprey bar (basically a jones bend bar copy). My bike is pretty close to a mariachi. It's a steel hardtail 29er. I am not an expert, but I think you went a little overboard with the rise. If you brought the bars down a little, while shortening the stem, it would put a little more weight on front. Personally what I did, I went from 110mm 5+ stem to a 60mm 4+ stem, I also put a 5mm spacer under the stem. The bars had a half inch rise as well. So basically I went from low and stretched, to kinda low, but a little more upright (unstretched) feeling. Basically I think the "sweet spot" is somewhere between what you had, and what you did. Maybe swap out the bars on the jones SWB you're testing, and add a specer or 2, just to see what that feels like on your mariachi? I dont want to spam here, but you can see a video of my set up, that I just posted a few days ago. Don't give up! you'll find the sweet spot! Nice videos btw, just subscribed.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

I set the fit after an hour long conversation with Jeff Jones to try to see where he meant it to be. It is not “normal” for sure. Jeff sets his bikes more upright than most people do and actually developed the riser bar version with Surly bikes in mind since the stack is lower.

[@ofwoden]

I'm a bit obsessed with the Jones H-Bar but I have yet to order one. I commute to work via bike on a low-end Nashbar bike so I'm not sure I can just justify spending $80 on the 2.5 aluminum bars for a bike that costs $275. You're making me think I should take the plunge, Russ.

[@wilfwilliams]

Just Jonesified my Crosscheck. Loving it so far interesting about the stem., do feel it would be better with a more upright position. The top tube on the cc is very long.

[@archstanton9703]

How would the Jones Hbar 2.5 improve or change the handling of a 2018 Trek Stache 5?

[@ROBinJVILLE]

i have a 2017 marin pine mountain. kinda want to try those bars myself

[@drewdepauw]

Hi! I put a Jones bar on my 2011 Pine Mountain. It felt so comfortable at first but I still feel like I'm leaning out on my hands too much on longer rides, and imagine a real jones bike would be more comfortable. Handling and looks-wise, it's awesome. Have you tried this set up?

[@rdavidb1083]

New to cycling, but love the channel. Could you use a 30 degree rise stem to aid in raise in the H bar up??

[@bosanderspublictheology]

This was really helpful!

[@lowbornCO]

With my levers up by the joint my grips slide forward. I think the position of the levers is good I just need to find a way to keep my Keaton grips from sliding.

[@BikepackingJourney]

Did anyone used h loop jones bar for trek 1120 17.5” what size of stem ?

[@SSorgears]

Hi Russ, this vid was very interesting to me - I have a Salsa Selma Ti (MD frame size) that I have been riding since it was new with Jones H-bars (flat, 660mm wide older style bars). The bike doesn't have a suspension fork, running a Whiskey carbon disc fork, and it handles very crisply. Stable enough to jam over/through the rougher stuff but able to pick a line between rocks, etc... with a 2.35" tire. I have about 20mm of spacers below the stem (and a few on top if I ever need to go up more) and a 35 degree 'up' angled stem, that puts me in a very comfortable riding position when seated, and when climbing out of the saddle, I can stand up and pull on the bars without having to bend over to get the grips - allowing me to keep my back pretty straight. Since it's a single-speed that matters a lot to me! The Dimension Cork grips are fantastic - comfortable, durable (been riding the bike about seven years or so and just recently replaced the original grips) and inexpensive. I think that it handles CLOSE to the way a Jones does - but still not quite as good at carving turns as the BB on this bike is a touch higher, and the rear end a little shorter. Since the Alternator drop-outs are the chain tension method, I am limited to where I can put the rear axle and keep the chain taut depending on cog and ring sizes. Play with your El Mar and if you can put on a rigid fork with as fat a tire as you can fit, it may handle a bit more like your SWB Jones, but it won't be as cushy as with those big ol' tires...

[@krazykat3063]

My favourite bars!

[@stevebismarck5878]

Has anyone tried the double-butted version? I’m wondering if it has a livelier feel to it or absorbs more road chatter than the straight-gauge version.

[@jfspurlin1]

I just built up a Lynskey Backroad with the Jones H Loop bar. I've had to make stem length adjustments to get a comfortable position. I started with a 90 mm stem and felt too close to the bars and too upright, so I've increased the stem length by 10mm incrementally and am now at 120 where I think I'll stop. The Backroad is a touring frame and designed with drop bars iin mind but I wanted to try something different and my intent is for this to be an all-around bike for commuting, touring, gravel riding, etc. I've ridden it only a few times so far and now with the 120 mm stem I'll see if I like this setup or will switch to drop bars.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Jones bars are tricky to fit. Jeff Jones has a very particular notion about how he likes them setup, which tends to be fairly upright.

[@jfspurlin1]

Where do you get those orange "tog" things you mentioned?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

togs.com

[@n8n224]

Jones Geometry = Gary Fisher (2000's) Genesis Geometry? Maybe this is an ignorant question, but my first experiences (back in the day) w/ Fisher frames felt very similar to descriptions (PLP, Jones himself, etc.) of the Jones's upright, over-the-feet riding position. Having spent some solo time on my tandem, I'm definitely into the idea of a longer wheelbase bike, but might my old Fisher MTB + Jones Bar be the perfect candidate for emulating the SWB experiences on a Jones Bike?

[@timmayhorn3731]

I just bought a set of those bars this week but have not put them on yet.

[@emanuelv19]

Why did you choose this hardtail over any other hardtail?

[@richrichie2450]

Russ, if you buy the Jones SWB please do a long term review. It is a very interesting bike.

[@jfspurlin1]

I put the Jones bar on a Lynskey Backroad. After a few months I'm still not sure whether I like the arrangement. I had to use a long stem (120 mm) to avoid feeling too close to the bars. The frame is intended to be used with drop bars so maybe this wasn't a good idea, but I'm going to do it for a while and see if it works out.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

The bars are suppose to be fairly close. If you look at Jeff Jones videos he is sitting relatively upright.

[@Windingify]

I run a 100 stem on my gravel bike with the Jones H bend. The bars come close, but thats the idea; getting that uoright option. Also the front of the bar works like hoods, so I got both worlds in one bar. Have yet to do a really long haul though.

[@inkjob12]

WOW ! Ive been debating on doing this to my small ElMariachi. Im curious to see an update by you as to weather you think this is a winner or not. I saw a bike, ElMariachi also, but with the flat Jones bars...and it felt all wrong for me. I did not know they had a riser bar. They also have fork tube extenders to raise the height...any thoughts on that? keep up the good work...

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

I prob wouldn't use tube extenders on a mtn bike personally. I think it works pretty well for me. I can't do flat bars for any length of time because they aggravate my forearms.

[@motleypixel]

I can't find these with the 2" rise anywhere retail.

[@jurdih]

me thinks your problem is the suspension fork, pick up a cheap rigid fork that will lower the front end and you'll be good to go. Worked well on my ride :)

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Yeah. I agree. A rigid fork would prob make the whole thing work better.

[@bosshydroic8210]

Try the Ergon Sweep grips and trim them down to the shorter size.

[@marvinkamei7007]

does nt sweep back bar slacken the head angle too much?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

HTA is constant and doesn’t change with handlebars. It does change weight distribution.

[@raceface48]

Did you find that the 2.5 rise was too extreme and upright?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Depends on the bike.

[@luvinfunvan]

I presume with these the semi aero position is not feasible given the rise of the front cross bar?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

The aero position is still usable despite the rise.

[@TheMNBlackBear]

Jones bars complete my bikes--every one of them since 2016. Now, I need a Jones bike badly, in medium or small. If anyone knows where to get one give me a holler!

[@richardtodd5418]

Who makes the rubbers on handlebars to simulate HUD’s on drop bars

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Bike Togs.

[@mcruzdvm]

What is the name of the red hand support on the bars , where can I find them thanks

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

BikeTogs

[@mcruzdvm]

@@PathLessPedaledTV who sell them please thanks for responding

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

@@mcruzdvm google.com

[@mcruzdvm]

@@PathLessPedaledTV can’t find them , do you know of any source in the USA thank you

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

@@mcruzdvm togs.com/

[@mcruzdvm]

What are those red rubber things called , again please e

[@Windingify]

TOGS

[@Cmcfishingfactorie]

Is your front tyre on back to front? Ps on the mariachi

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Yeah probably is.

[@jvangeel12]

Forks (ridge)will change ride way more than bars buddy.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

There’s an opinion.

[@mellissanash7517]

What is the update on your jones bar usage or getting jones bike?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

It’s awesome.

[@mellissanash7517]

@@PathLessPedaledTV Which one the bar or the bike? Kind of thinking about switching my Soma setup from ti-aluminum drop bar to the 660 Jones bar but not 100% if it's right for me. Like riding on the hoods way more than drops.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Mellissa Nash i like the Jones bike with the bars. It’s aquired taste.

[@mellissanash7517]

@@PathLessPedaledTV Would you add jones bars to your other bikes too? Thinking about it on my Soma, but not sure if it's for me. A friend was saying I should either go Soma Condor 2 bars or a stem that raises my bar more if I am looking to get up right. My only concern would be the jones bar takes away from the handling?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Mellissa Nash it will completely change how the bike handles and will take a lot of experimentation to ride well.

[@fre2045]

The huge stack of spacers on the Jones in the back is distracting me from the content of the video :)

[@rosihanhadi1424]

where to get the long grips?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

From the Jones Bike site.

[@pedaldriven417]

Do you own a road bike?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Salsa Warbird is currently the closest we have to a road bike. Use to have a Roubaix and sold it.

[@GoatRidesBikes]

#jonesification That's funny. Just don't #jonestown !

[@franta5832]

1:15 "Since they move backward you want to shorten the stem" Something does not make sense here: if they move backward you need a longer stem to maintain the same hand position.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

I didn’t explain it well. If you keep the same stem, the intended primary position (brakes near the loop of the bar) is moved forwards compared to a flat bar. So you have to actually shorten the stem to get the primary riding position in the right place.

[@Windingify]

@@PathLessPedaledTV If you come from a drop bar, they might just fit with the same stem. Then the front acts like the hoods.

[@WilliamR-nt5ek]

where's the Ogre