Surly Moloko Handlebar Review

[@Daniel-wb4lr]

a rare neurological condition left me with muscle wastage of the left shoulder and weakness in my neck, this bar on an adjustable stem gives me a more comfortable position and the fact I can change hands to a narrow grip and still be upright helps loads

[@seele5450]

Im so glad I found this video. Your setup is exactly what I was planning to do with my bike, even down the grips lol. Good to know that it is working well for you

[@KentuckyCycling]

Glad that video is useful to you. Good look with your setup.

[@fredirle7173]

Great timing on the Surly Moloko review. I am looking to replace my drop bars on my Surly Disc Trucker. Great Info, Thanks.

[@edwardleigh-wood1540]

I changed from drops to moloko yesterday!

[@ellerybice3787]

Many times I find that when pulling or pushing my heavily loaded bicycle up a steep grade, it is much more comfortable and more ergonomic to use the seat as a handle for my non steering hand. 🚴🏼🚴🏼🚴🏼🫡

[@JohnMFlores]

Thanks for this. I'm in an ALT bar rabbithole

[@KentuckyCycling]

LOL. Been there.

[@84imreplica]

I just installed a Chinese copy of the Surly bar on my mountain bike. What sold me is it's made of aluminum, and was inexpensive, so if I don't like the bar I won't be out that much money. I also have a Denham bar, which I really like, but for me the horns aren't located far enough up along the bar, making it hard to mount brake and shift levers.

[@jsmits71]

I'm interested in the aluminum one. Can you post a link where you bought it please?

[@recyclespinning9839]

Thanks for review . I like that you can keep your shifters and brakes the same . I picked up a Schwinn Paramount PDG mountain bike that was like NOS , with all Deor thumb shifters. So it will mount right on. I guess I just have to check diameter. I think for touring will be good. It seems like you can use it to get in an aero position and rest elbows on the center

[@Josukegaming]

This was really helpful! Thanks a lot for being so comprehensive with your comparisons to other similar bars, especially with the different bars overlayed on top of one another via whatbars.

[@KentuckyCycling]

Happy to help!

[@alanjohnson8396]

Great overview Nathan. I'm in the process of looking for a "gravel" oriented bike and wanted a more flat bar setup than drops. Thanks as this definitely gives me some food for thought.

[@mountainsnmoore256]

Thanks for this review. I have had these bars on the list for a graveler that I have been planning to build for the past couple of months. I picked up an old Trek Mountain Track 820 frame as an extra in a FB market deal. I really wanted the other bike, a Diamondback mtb for my son, but the lady wouldn't separate them. So I picked up both for a song and planned to just part out the Trek. However, once I got it in the shop, I realized that it was in REALLY good shape and would make a great graveler. So I have been researching and planning for a while now. Hopefully I can get this project rolling soon and have it hitting gravel by the end of summer. Have several other projects in line before it, though.

[@StudQBeefpile]

I run this on a singlespeed Surly Karate Monkey. This bar is great for singlespeeds (at least for me) for a few reasons: 1. Lots of hand positions. I grab wide for leverage (climbing or fighting the wind), middle for normal “cruising” pace, and out in the “drops” for aero or to stretch my back or to go fast downhill to carry momentum into the next uphill. I run a dropper post, and this gives extra positions to keep my back happy, or to relax my arms. 2. It’s cromoly, so it flexes and has some give relative to aluminum or carbon. I run ESI extra chunky grips, and they work well as a system. It gives just enough to take the edge off, but without feeling “noodly”. 3. It gives me a “glove box” of sorts using a Randi Jo Fab bag inside the Moloko Bar loop. The Moloko will fit most bags that will fit a Jones H-Bar. 4. You can still add a (bikepacking) bag in front of the “glove box”. Revelate Designs makes the dry bags (which roll up at the ends) with daisy chain loops. I run a rubber strap through the daisy chain loops, over the out front bar (on the Moloko), and then through the rectangular plastic loops on the Randi Jo Fab bag. It handles the weight well (as long as it’s normal camping weight gear. 5. I find the bar actually handles really well off-road. I was nervous that it would be too upright, but I run it with a Lauf fork, and I’ve ridden a lot of MTB trails (of varied challenge level) with it, and don’t feel like it represents a major compromise to handling. It isn’t a straight bar, but it’s way better than drop bars for the trails I ride (in the Midwest).

[@noily8974]

It would be great if whatbar also include vertical view and horizontal view

[@RaneBane]

Will be really good on my recumbent with a glide flex stem. It already weighs a ton.

[@Maffpalmer]

I've just bumped into this review as I'm looking at various bar options. This is a great video and review and and pretty convinced now that these bars are the choice i will be making. a 34 deg sweep is better for me. thanks very much

[@KentuckyCycling]

Hope you like them. I’m still loving mine.

[@koldimond1100]

Hi there...have u got your horns parallel to the bars or pointing up a little?? cheers

[@KentuckyCycling]

Pointing up a little, but I think it's a matter of personal preference so it's something you can play with.

[@recyclespinning9839]

I'm almost convinced on giving these a try. I currently have the typical straight bar with the bar ends. I will say the bar ends being on the end give great leverage and position if your climbing or standing . I see you have that position also , but that position is further in. However once again, it seems that position is aero also when cruising or windy..

[@KentuckyCycling]

As I mentioned in the video, I think handlebars are one area where personal preference comes in. But, I definitely think they are worth trying. I continue to be happy with them.

[@donaldwalter1317]

I have a gravel bike that had flared drops with sti shifters/brake comb. I was experiencing back/hand pains from the more bent forward position,reduced hand positions plus not great control over rough trail. I wanted to change to more upright, more variety hand positions so I had an old trekking bar kicking around. In spite of more hand positions the trekking bar has drawbacks; reduced use of stash bags being installed, the bike control was more forward of stem which proved bad. I do have a foldable bike with a Jones H-bar which has proven very functional and handles better than trekking bar but for a gravel bike of larger frame and wheels it wouldn’t work as too swept back. These Surly Moloka bars just might prove better for more upright, multiple hand positions, better steering control, mount stuff (gps,camera,mirror,stash bags,under handle bar bag(camp gear). Looks like I’m going to try this Molko Bar instead of trekking bar. As a side issue the Jones Bar makes it difficult to get by some local bike trail gates or some door ways as too wide! Thanks for your review.

[@Fulviolosmilzo]

Thanks for the video I was looking for I have a Fargo with woodchipper that I absolutely want to change and I'm undecided between moloko and jones h bar but now I have a little clearer ideas

[@KentuckyCycling]

Glad this was useful to you.

[@bimmerbent]

Jones Bar is a fundamentally different; it wasn't for me, brings your hands to your hips - needed xlong stem.

[@Fulviolosmilzo]

@@bimmerbent I replaced it a few weeks ago and one a 60 mm stem and I will never go back

[@jojo229er]

Really funny. I got my Capitol frame just before you as Peter mentioned to me at delivery. Wish it was complete as I'm still waiting on parts. I went with the SQ Labs carbon 12 deg sweep bar. I changed my initial design to a more progressive cc or old school down geo. I plan on adding my old bar ends on the inside of my brakes. Don't be jealous but he say mine was the lightest 29er he'd ever built! BTW love your videos, KY represent!

[@KentuckyCycling]

He sent me pics of your frame when he finished it. I assume it’s all built up by now. Would love to see some pics. And thanks for the kudos on the videos.

[@outbackwack368]

This bar is high on my list to try. Thanks!!!

[@mochmoch9453]

Excellent review Many thanks !!! Best Regards from Berlin .

[@bikesandbeyond618]

Thanks for sharing your experience with this bar. I’m looking for options on my Surly Bridge Club to get more upright. Appreciate your content.

[@KentuckyCycling]

This bar definitely accomplishes that. But, I like that it still offers you a way to mix it up and get a little more stretched out, both to get a different position and get a little more aero.

[@caldwellmanners5697]

Thanks for the review. Question: Whats your experience been in mounting larger handlebar bags on to the Moloko - something like a Swift Zeitgeist. Thanks

[@sks-nz6mz]

thank you for showing this bar. im 10 minutes into the video. what grips are you using?

[@sks-nz6mz]

oh you did mention it in the end

[@KentuckyCycling]

Ergon - GA3 Ergonomic Lock-on Bicycle Handlebar Grips: amzn.to/3EDhACZ

[@IS-xk3iq]

The Koga Denham bar's bullhorn, are closer to the rider.

[@Emens_Travels]

How do these do with shoulder issues?

[@sunildingankar8657]

I want to decide between Surly Moloko and Jones H loop bar? Which one do you think is better?

[@dustysadventures]

Great review. Thanks!

[@jtbarnes1367]

What is the thin on your stem that your feed bags are connected to?

[@KentuckyCycling]

It's called a Spacelink and is made by Rockgeist. See rockgeist.com/top-tube-bags-feedbags/.

[@jameslopez958]

I ride my ECR Surly with Moloko Bars 😎

[@daniellarson3068]

Not aluminum? It certainly sounds like an opportunity for an aluminum Chinese copy. I've looked at this bar and the Jones bar. For my 30+ year old bike, they were too pricey and alternatives were selected.

[@paulg666]

Like the jones bar, an aluminium moloko bar would save you a big 100-150g at the most.

[@technodrone313]

why do you ride with all that crap on your bars? cant make steering very easy.

[@KentuckyCycling]

I don’t always ride like that. I wanted to show my bikepacking setup.

[@leemarshall354]

Why do you care what he puts on his handlebars?

[@technodrone313]

@@leemarshall354 Why do you care about what i care about?