Conference noted::bicycle

    
    I have the Scott AT4, I am not realy sure if I like it that much. 
    I put the Gel grips on it too, and what it did was move the 
    STI shifters real close to the center aswel as the grip, as for all
    the other positions it offers, I only use the bar ends, so the rest
    of it is has been pretty useless to me. For my next purchase, I 
    would definately go with just the bar ends.
    
    Shaw

    I have Delta's.  I consider bar ends mandatory equipment for shock-ed
    mtb's that see a lot of climbing; other than that I don't really see
    much of a need.
    
    Advantage: contour designed for the hand, rather than just a curve.
      Stay put; installed once and they haven't moved.
      Offer some protection for the expensive Rapid Fire Plus shifters.
      Yet another hand position; more options, more comfortable.
    Disadvantage: takes a fair amount of the bar end... I had just enuf
      room to exacto knife off the rubber ends of my gel grips.
      When cutting thru woods, occasionally they will catch a small tree...
      you learn to keep an eye out. 
    
    Hint for installing bar ends: if you don't want to take off you
    existing grips, take a rubber mallet and beat the crap out of the end
    of the grips, and magically it will "pie cut" the end off.  If you do
    want to take the grips off but their "frozen" on, pour just a bit of
    boiling water over the grips and they'll loosten right up.  Kratz

    Try the Scott's AT-3 instead.

                _         _
               /           \
              (_____________)
                      
    These don't connect at the ends like AT-4.

    Advantage: Lighter then the bar & end combination. Cost is about 
               $40.00-$50.00. Made in USA

    Disadvantage: So far, I have not heard anything bad about them.


    Dave

    
    I have Onza bar ends (slight curve) on my handlebars and I like 'em.
    Not having tried any other makes/styles I don't know if I'd prefer
    some with more curve or less curve (straight). However, as .2
    mentioned, they sometimes "catch" little trees and branches...perhaps
    a more curved model would prevent this? The advantages for me are:
    more/different hand positions, better for climbing (more like a road
    bike), and they "protect" the brake levers when you crash (again, more
    curved models may give better protection to the levers), fairly easy
    to install/remove (if you don't like 'em). Disadvantages are (besides
    catching branches in the woods): your hands are further away from the
    brakes and shifters (you have to "think" more about braking and
    shifting), and they can sometimes "impale" you when you crash ;^)
    
    Depending on your preference and how much you want to spend, you might
    want to check out some of the curved handlebars (Scotts, etc.) before
    you make your final(?) purchase.
    
    Pete
    

    My old MTB had Scott AT4s.  I got used to the bar just bouncing off
    trees, etc.  My new bike has bar ends and I've almost endo'd a couple
    of times when they snagged stuff.  The AT4s also provided more hand
    positions.  I would vote for the new Scott AT that Dave mentioned.
    Best of both worlds - light and they are curved enough not to catch
    stuff or stab you if (when!) you crash.

    
    I put a pair of Odyssey barends on my Hyperlite bar. I like 'em. I
    got them because they are adjustable in multiple ways. I adjusted mine
    so that they curve up about 20 degrees from vertical, and they curve
    inward and upward. It feels natural in my hand, and because it curves
    in, I haven't snagged any shrubs yet. I also bought some dense foam bar
    end grips which don't weigh much and cushion them somewhat. They weigh
    (barends) more thant the bar though. Bar = about 150 grams; barends 
    weigh about 215 grams. Cost about $40 for the barends, and $60 for the
    bar and $6 for the barend covers, so the Scotts would be a bit cheaper 
    if you prefer them. I like mine because I can change hand positions to 
    3 or 4 different positions while I ride - If I just keep them on the bars 
    all the time, it hurts my wrists after a while.

    	One vote for Onza - ski bend, black anodized.
    	As opposed to L-bend...
    
    	Got 'em on sale during early spring '92, paid $37 clams fer 'em.
    
    	No installation problems, my Yokota / Glacier Point came with
    	open-end handlebar grips.
    
    	Big note: I replaced the factory handlebar with a narrow racing
    	handlebar, the Sakae power-bulge. Was forced to slide the Suntour
    	X-press shifters as far inward as I possibly could, to allow
    	enough hand room between the shifters and the Onza bar-ends.
    	With a Vetta computer, X-press shifters and Onza bar-ends, my
    	handlebars look an AWACS command control center...
    
    	Recommendation: If you install bar-ends on a narrow racing bar,
    	use conventional over-bar shifters. Most MTB racers prefer this
    	style shifter anywho...