What's the Best Handlebar Setup for a Singlespeed?

Oh wait, don't tell me...it's dependent on the rider and type of riding right? So I guess I should also add that this is a 26" wheeled bike. Well whatever the case I wish it was easier to figure this stuff out than the tried and true method of swapping parts until something works.

I have been running my SS for the past two to three years with basically the same type of cockpit setup. I've been looking for different types of bars, like a big 12 degree backswept or H-bar versions, but i could just never bring myself to drop the cash only to find out I don't like them. So I left it as is. But more and more I find that the bar I have on there feels wrong, especially when I'm climbing and really torquing it. Tonight I measured the current bar, a Raceface Air Alloy Low Riser,  it comes in just over 25". It's a 1" riser bar with standard upsweep and backsweep angles and a 31.8mm clamp section. Now I am not a big guy but I am a bit wider at the shoulder than some so I figured maybe I just need a wider bar? I have a few bars laying around that I can try and I came across an Easton EA50 bar that used to be on my Rocky. This bar measures 26-3/4" and has a 2" rise, the other details are the same as the current bar. It's a bit beat up and a bit heavier than what I have now but should work fine. I could trim this bar down if I wanted it shorter but I am not sure what the higher rise will do, other than the more upright seating position. My fear is that it will be even more twitchy but I do have some stems I could try, longer stems, that would help slow down the steering a bit and bring it back to its previous bar height.

A well used Easton EA50 is on test

So what is the best handlebar setup? What are you using? What have you had success or failure with? Let me know, I could use the help.

What's Your Tire of Choice for Northeast Riding?

There have been some discussions going on in the local forums lately on what's the best tire for local riding so here's my list of favorites for typical rocky, rooty and sometimes wet Northeast trail riding...

Bontrager Big Earl Wet, F and; R, 26 x 2.5
Bontrager Big Earl Dry, F and R,  26 x 2.5
Hands down and without question the Bonty's are still my favorite for local riding. They wear well, grip is awesome in any terrain, they are light for such a big volume tire, and rolling resistance isn't that bad. I love the GumBi compound too, the low rebound gives these tires unbelievable grip at the right tire pressure. Check out the pic below. The tires just conform to the terrain and I have yet to pinch flat. Pressures were 30psi in the pic.

Wow, check out that tire deformation!

The wet version is better than the dry version but only in wet conditions. I haven't noticed any other difference in dry or even moist conditions. They both shed mud well too, that's a huge plus. I've used 2.3's as well but the 2.5's are just more sure footed. Best of all you can find these relatively cheap on ebay or locally. I think I paid $30 for the Dry versions in the 2.5 and they were new. I think Bontrager is discontinuing these in favor of the new lines coming out like the XDX which I hear great things about. I hope they are at least as good as these because I dread the day I will no longer be able to purchase new ones.

Kenda Nevegals, F and R, 26 x 2.3 DTC
I have used the Kenda Nevegals too but my one beef with them is their mud/wet conditions performance...it is terrible. I have the DTC version, maybe the other compounds work better...I don't know. The rolling resistance on these are minimal thanks to the ramped center treads and the knobbies really allow you to get the bike leaned over in corners and still hold the line. Also light for such a big volume tire. Right now the set I have are slated to got onto my SS after mud season. They make riding with a rigid fork a bit more bearable. I also run these about 30-35 psi.

Kenda Kinetics, F and R, 26 x 2.6 Stick-E compound
I bought these on a whim. I like the tread design and the compound and the were on sale for $9 each. I had read reviews that some had issues with the sidewalls being too weak and failing. I figured even if they don't last long, no big deal they were cheap. Tire are surprisingly light for a 2.6 although they were slower rolling due to the compound and the big knobbies but that's also why they excel in cornering and grip. So far these have been the best. I didn't have them on the bike long but only because they rolled slower than the Bonty's. I had no trouble with these and they were actually the best big volume tire I have tried in snowy conditions to date. I will probably put these tires on again but maybe not till later in the year. I had these aired at around 35psi.

Riding at the Pine Bush these tires performed really well in the snow.

Non-studded winter tires...what are you using?

So I have a set of Nokian studs that work great on the hard packed ice but not so great in the slushy conditions so I've been trying different tires.

Bontrager Big Earl Dry 26 x 2.5 GumBi coumpound - I was amazed how well these tires worked in the snow being a dry condition tire. The bigger volume helps to stay on top of the snow. They were okay on the icy stuff and were difficult at times to keep going straight in the deep snow. On the hard packed stuff there were very good. These are also light for such a big volume tire. It's worth mentioning that I did have to drop the air pressure down to about 25 to get the traction I needed. (Paid ~$30 for the set)

Maxxis Wetscream 26 x 2.20 60a - Knobbies seem too squirmy, works great in muddy conditions but haven't had much luck in slushy or icy conditions. Tire washes out in deep snow and it was very difficult to ride in a straight line. Works okay on the hard packed snow. Tires are also heavy since they are for DH. I also had to drop the pressure on these to perform better, also at about 25psi. (Paid $20 for the set)

Kenda Kinetics 26 x 2.60 Stick-E compound - I rode these recently at the Albany Pine Bush and was pleasantly surprised. Was stable on the ice and worked well on the slush. In deep snow it was better at holding a line that the Wetscream and Big Earl. On the hard packed snow they were great. Tire are surprisingly light for a 2.6 although they were slower rolling due to the compound. So far these have been the best. I had these aired at around 35psi. (Paid $20 for the set)

Right now the Nokians are on my singlespeed and I'll probably keep them there for now. These tires are all being tested on my RM Switch which is now suspended 6" F & R and about 35lbs. I would assume these tires might perform differently on a hardtail or lighter FS bike so take that into consideration.

So, what has everyone else has luck with?