Have Jones 2.5 Loop H bars on two very different bikes. One wide for my long distance/dirt road tour bike, the narrower version on my utility hybrid bike. Foam grips on both. I like it on my MTB utility bike for mixed urban riding as it puts my more upright and better posture. The whole set up is best for my wrists, hands, and shoulders.,
I have a Priority 600X with the Jones HBar 2.5. Absolutely love it. The longest I have ridden it is 24 miles mixed pavement, dirt road with a very steep climb and single track with some steep climbs/descents. I have 2 other bikes, a chain drive MTB and Fat bike, both with the Jones HBar 0.5. Very well designed and manufactured bar. Thanks for sharing.
@@stevenself554 On the 2.5 raised Jones bar, on the 600X......I had to lengthen the brake hoses, but not the shift cables. On my other two bikes, I had to replace some cables on the one and all the cables on the other.
When I take short rides my hands are pretty much fixed there as well. But during my Maine tour last summer and my upcoming Canadian ride, I usually spend a minimum of 5 hours on the bike. With the flat bar and one hand position, I experienced numbness and it was recommended to get an alternative bar with at least one additional hand position. I expect this will fit my needs. The one thing I still think about is the option to get the shorter version of this bar… these are pretty wide.
Thanks for the tip but if you look at the video where I swapped out my flat bar for the Jones Bar I actually removed the Ergons that came with the bike. I agree 100% that they are the most comfortable grips out there but on the Priority 600 there is only one hand position and that was hanging onto the Ergons. For short rides they were a pleasure but for a tour where you ride in excess of 3 days I found my hands suffering with numbness. The Jones bar offers many more hand positions for these long rides. Also, the Jones Bar is very wide and I would have needed to swap out the hydraulic brake lines to get down to where the Ergon grips would sit. So, love the Ergon grips but the ESI foam grips work perfectly on the Jones Bar and they are super comfy as well. So… if you are ever passing through Connecticut, get in touch and I can turn my old Ergons over to you as you pass through. Thanks again for watching the video.
Hi, I just wanted to share my experience on my priority 600 comparing the Jones with Moloko, and to let you know that if you are curious, you could still consider trying the Moloko bars (despite their heavier weight etc). i tried the Jones H-bar switching from the Moloko bar, thinking the extra sweep angle might make the riding position more upwards/relaxed, but when i switched, i absolutely hated the Jones, feeling too much sweep angle, making it very uncomfortable in the longer runs (after 10+ miles) both at the shoulders and wrists. I even tried the ergon the ergon-GC1 made for curved bars like the jones, since the extra sweep distorts the natural wrist angle risking numbness/soreness, (for the priority 600, I got the GC1 BioKork Rohloff/nexus version to have the right grip shorter, to accommodate for the space needed for the pinion shifter). Of course I realize that YMMV and it all depends on the body/bike fit& dimensions etc, but i now totally understand the negative reviews complaints about the jones bar having way too much sweep angle. as you guessed, i switched back to the Moloko finding them much more comfortable for me on the longer runs.
I was close to getting the Moloko Bar but primarily so I could fit my currently owned Ortlieb handlebar bag in the gap. I actually find the sweep to give my hands a more natural position… kinda like holding a wheelbarrow. I will be leaving for a projected wet Canadian cycling survey and will ride for 3 long days on the Jones Bar. That will tell the tale. But, as of now, I am happy with zero tingling or numbness in the hands. Thanks for your feedback… now stuck in my head and will surely be thinking of your words as I am on hour six of a cool wet ride in Canada (smile).
Yeah... me and my wife had those and been riding with those jones h-bars for over a year. They look like nice quality and interesting shape so we thought we can, in theory, have many different hand positions for better comfort during long rides, that's the reason we bought them in the first place (we bought the widest ones).. But, in practice we did not notice much difference in comfort really... we have found the other hand positions are not really practical or comfy for us, because of the shifters and other gear on handlebar taking over the space, so you can not really place your hands in any other positions for prolonged period or comfortable ride, other than the main grips of the handlebar... The main grips though are great, they are very prolonged... but that's about it really..... In short, based on our experience, to say that it somehow improved the balance, or comfort, we did not really noticed any difference in practice.... The funny thing though.... we been riding with those jones h-bar for over a year and kind of got used to them, but then we've got a chance to ride other bicycles (the other pair of two bikes we've bought) with standard handlebars, and boy, somehow standard handlebars felt much more comfortable - actually way more comfortable for riding for both of us!:)....
Thanks for your video. I thought I recognized the area you’re riding in! I grew up with a summer cabin at nearby Lake Hayward and remember when the Consumer Reports test track was a drag strip! I actually learned to drive on those back roads. I’m awaiting delivery of my Priority 600 and will most likely switch out the handlebars for a the Jones H-Bar. I’m a an older long distance cyclist and curious if the 600 might be an option as a replacement for my touring bike.
That’s what I used for my ride from Connecticut to Vermont and back (not videoed) - had small packs for a credit card tour. Since then I have done two fully loaded tours with the Priority 600 and it worked well and I also do some short local camping trips in New England. The front fork on mine had minimal (one) mid fork connection point that limited my front rack options but I’ve been told the new model now has adequate (more than one) connection points on the fork. Overall the bike held up well and is able to handled the weight of four full panniers. The gearing is what did it for me - climbing the Route 125 gap in the Green Mountains with a load was telling. Minimal hike-a-bike walks for sure. Great bike for a hilly tour and not having to worry about cleaning and lubing the chain was massive. The belt is not likely to fail but I do carry a spare when on tour and I have practiced replacing and tensioning it. Enjoy your 600!
I have a question that I hope you can answer. What size bike did you buy, and is there any chance that you can get a standover measurement? Maybe from the "Y" in Priority to the ground? Thanks...
So I bought a Medium Priority 600 and the distance from floor to the top of the top tube where it meets the seat tube is about 28.5 inches. So with the sharp angle of the top tube, I have plenty of room for the stand over. I swapped out the stock tires and the brand I bought, although the same size, seemed to inflate a bit bigger so my measurement is not exact. I am 5’ 10” and my inseam is 31” - Priority recommended bike sizing according to an inseam chart on their web site and I did follow that. As I was close to the top range of a medium I considered going for a large but, in the end, decided to stick with the medium. I just noticed that the 600 is on sale at $100 off.
Great review. I will be getting one. I already have the Ortlieb bag like yours. Can you point me please where I can buy or find the extension to the Ortlieb mount that you mentioned for this bag on your review? Thanks.
Thanks Dave interesting video. Here's my story. For several weeks now I have been riding my grandsons bike which has straight bars with Ergon grips and I have found it comfortable. This morning over in the UK it was dark & cold so I decided to use my tourer which has dropped bars because its equipped with lights. I cannot believe how uncomfortable it feels now given I have to ride with a stooped back & I was glad to get back home. So it seems either straight bars or Jones bars are the way forward or I guess the other bars mentioned. I.ll be interested to learn how you felt after your long ride with the Jones bars. I am not sure whether you know or not or even they will fit with the Ortlieb bag extentions but you can buy light stalks from Ortlieb to mounr your lights above the bag. I use them & they are great. Stay safe out there.
As a matter of fact I am in the middle of a series of road bike rides in Williamsburg, Virginia and the drop bars are killing me. As for the light extensions I have them but no longer need to use them as the Jones Bar with the 2.5 inch rise gets my light up an over the Ortlieb bag. The flat bar with Ergon grips was fine for commuting and short local rides but I needed more hand positions while touring with 6/7 hour days.
The Ortlieb bag extension pushes the bag forward and allows you to “just” get the bag open. Without it the lid of the bag will catch on the loop of the Jones Bar.
I was too… went with Jones as it was lighter and it fit my existing front handlebar bag perfectly. It had a very wide stance but came with the option to chop it down if need be. I’m still trying to determine if I need to do that. I will leave it as is until after my summer tour to Canada. You really can’t go wrong with either one.
The only way the front Ortlieb handlebar bag works is if you buy the extension that Ortlieb has. With the extension it is close but east to open. Also, if you have a newer Priority 600 they moved the front light and I have the original placement just above the front fender. I will do a short video of it in the next week or so.
I have rheumatoid arthritis in my wrists and have to use my knuckles at time to « hold » onto the handlebars as gripping becomes painful. Also not having suspension as I do on my Litespeed I find it can be jarring after a couple of hours cycling. Would the Jones Bar help?
I think the multiple hand positions might give you more options. The sweep back on the Jones bar is almost like holding a wheel barrow if you have your hands on the grips. Send me your e-mail and we can swap pictures. If I could see your knuckle grip, I could then get on my bike and show you the grip options for you by using your knuckle grip. (I would try to ride with my knuckles).
Hiya buddy great blog 👍 I've bought the planetX on one geoff bar £30 I've not got it fitted but I'm wondering what grips you use please. Mike from the UK 👍
Hello - Thanks for watching. I used ESI extra long foam grips - esigrips.com. I did 2 videos on the bar installation and “Mrs Jones Gets Gussied Up” covers the grips and the install. I got them from Amazon. Not sure if available in the UK but there are other similar brands.
Have Jones 2.5 Loop H bars on two very different bikes. One wide for my long distance/dirt road tour bike, the narrower version on my utility hybrid bike. Foam grips on both. I like it on my MTB utility bike for mixed urban riding as it puts my more upright and better posture. The whole set up is best for my wrists, hands, and shoulders.,
Great idea to position the Garmin mount on the forward part of the bar!
I have a Priority 600X with the Jones HBar 2.5. Absolutely love it. The longest I have ridden it is 24 miles mixed pavement, dirt road with a very steep climb and single track with some steep climbs/descents. I have 2 other bikes, a chain drive MTB and Fat bike, both with the Jones HBar 0.5. Very well designed and manufactured bar. Thanks for sharing.
I agree but am surprised at the reviews - some real don’t like the sweep. I think it’s a more natural position.
Did you have to change out the stock cables to get smooth leads with the Jones HBar 2.5?
@@stevenself554 On the 2.5 raised Jones bar, on the 600X......I had to lengthen the brake hoses, but not the shift cables. On my other two bikes, I had to replace some cables on the one and all the cables on the other.
My priority 600 arrives in 2 days
I love this video and it's only the first minutes. Great video Sir
You just might fall in love with that bike!
Great video sharing, good idea with the rear mirror though 👍
Awesome video man.
good review. my touring days ended 10+ years ago (blood pressure), but my body is fixed in "hands on brake levers" position. so i'll keep looking.
When I take short rides my hands are pretty much fixed there as well. But during my Maine tour last summer and my upcoming Canadian ride, I usually spend a minimum of 5 hours on the bike. With the flat bar and one hand position, I experienced numbness and it was recommended to get an alternative bar with at least one additional hand position. I expect this will fit my needs. The one thing I still think about is the option to get the shorter version of this bar… these are pretty wide.
You need to add Ergon grips on the bars. Love mine, and will always have them on my bikes.
Thanks for the tip but if you look at the video where I swapped out my flat bar for the Jones Bar I actually removed the Ergons that came with the bike. I agree 100% that they are the most comfortable grips out there but on the Priority 600 there is only one hand position and that was hanging onto the Ergons. For short rides they were a pleasure but for a tour where you ride in excess of 3 days I found my hands suffering with numbness. The Jones bar offers many more hand positions for these long rides. Also, the Jones Bar is very wide and I would have needed to swap out the hydraulic brake lines to get down to where the Ergon grips would sit. So, love the Ergon grips but the ESI foam grips work perfectly on the Jones Bar and they are super comfy as well. So… if you are ever passing through Connecticut, get in touch and I can turn my old Ergons over to you as you pass through. Thanks again for watching the video.
Hi, I just wanted to share my experience on my priority 600 comparing the Jones with Moloko, and to let you know that if you are curious, you could still consider trying the Moloko bars (despite their heavier weight etc). i tried the Jones H-bar switching from the Moloko bar, thinking the extra sweep angle might make the riding position more upwards/relaxed, but when i switched, i absolutely hated the Jones, feeling too much sweep angle, making it very uncomfortable in the longer runs (after 10+ miles) both at the shoulders and wrists. I even tried the ergon the ergon-GC1 made for curved bars like the jones, since the extra sweep distorts the natural wrist angle risking numbness/soreness, (for the priority 600, I got the GC1 BioKork Rohloff/nexus version to have the right grip shorter, to accommodate for the space needed for the pinion shifter). Of course I realize that YMMV and it all depends on the body/bike fit& dimensions etc, but i now totally understand the negative reviews complaints about the jones bar having way too much sweep angle. as you guessed, i switched back to the Moloko finding them much more comfortable for me on the longer runs.
I was close to getting the Moloko Bar but primarily so I could fit my currently owned Ortlieb handlebar bag in the gap. I actually find the sweep to give my hands a more natural position… kinda like holding a wheelbarrow. I will be leaving for a projected wet Canadian cycling survey and will ride for 3 long days on the Jones Bar. That will tell the tale. But, as of now, I am happy with zero tingling or numbness in the hands. Thanks for your feedback… now stuck in my head and will surely be thinking of your words as I am on hour six of a cool wet ride in Canada (smile).
Yeah... me and my wife had those and been riding with those jones h-bars for over a year. They look like nice quality and interesting shape so we thought we can, in theory, have many different hand positions for better comfort during long rides, that's the reason we bought them in the first place (we bought the widest ones).. But, in practice we did not notice much difference in comfort really... we have found the other hand positions are not really practical or comfy for us, because of the shifters and other gear on handlebar taking over the space, so you can not really place your hands in any other positions for prolonged period or comfortable ride, other than the main grips of the handlebar... The main grips though are great, they are very prolonged... but that's about it really..... In short, based on our experience, to say that it somehow improved the balance, or comfort, we did not really noticed any difference in practice.... The funny thing though.... we been riding with those jones h-bar for over a year and kind of got used to them, but then we've got a chance to ride other bicycles (the other pair of two bikes we've bought) with standard handlebars, and boy, somehow standard handlebars felt much more comfortable - actually way more comfortable for riding for both of us!:)....
Awesome setup! I'm jealous.
Heck, I am an old man and it took me way too long to get this setup. Thanks for watching!
Great review, I think that if your touring it also give you an aero position for wind..
Very true… long stretches of windy flatlands deserves a good stretch.
Nice Ride!!
Thanks for your video. I thought I recognized the area you’re riding in! I grew up with a summer cabin at nearby Lake Hayward and remember when the Consumer Reports test track was a drag strip! I actually learned to drive on those back roads. I’m awaiting delivery of my Priority 600 and will most likely switch out the handlebars for a the Jones H-Bar. I’m a an older long distance cyclist and curious if the 600 might be an option as a replacement for my touring bike.
That’s what I used for my ride from Connecticut to Vermont and back (not videoed) - had small packs for a credit card tour. Since then I have done two fully loaded tours with the Priority 600 and it worked well and I also do some short local camping trips in New England. The front fork on mine had minimal (one) mid fork connection point that limited my front rack options but I’ve been told the new model now has adequate (more than one) connection points on the fork. Overall the bike held up well and is able to handled the weight of four full panniers. The gearing is what did it for me - climbing the Route 125 gap in the Green Mountains with a load was telling. Minimal hike-a-bike walks for sure. Great bike for a hilly tour and not having to worry about cleaning and lubing the chain was massive. The belt is not likely to fail but I do carry a spare when on tour and I have practiced replacing and tensioning it. Enjoy your 600!
Buen Video graciasm saludps desde Lima 21. Excelente Paisaje.
I have a question that I hope you can answer. What size bike did you buy, and is there any chance that you can get a standover measurement? Maybe from the "Y" in Priority to the ground? Thanks...
So I bought a Medium Priority 600 and the distance from floor to the top of the top tube where it meets the seat tube is about 28.5 inches. So with the sharp angle of the top tube, I have plenty of room for the stand over. I swapped out the stock tires and the brand I bought, although the same size, seemed to inflate a bit bigger so my measurement is not exact. I am 5’ 10” and my inseam is 31” - Priority recommended bike sizing according to an inseam chart on their web site and I did follow that. As I was close to the top range of a medium I considered going for a large but, in the end, decided to stick with the medium. I just noticed that the 600 is on sale at $100 off.
Great review. I will be getting one. I already have the Ortlieb bag like yours. Can you point me please where I can buy or find the extension to the Ortlieb mount that you mentioned for this bag on your review? Thanks.
Go to the Ortlieb Web Site - Link - www.ortlieb.com/usa_en/handlebar-mounting-set-extension
For the Ortlieb Handlebar Bag it is essential to get the Jones Bar with the 2.5 inch rise.
Thank you very much for the link infomation. Very much appreciate your quick response. I did order the one with the 2.5 rise.
Dave, nicely done I have just ordered the jones bar, question what’s your preference for a saddle? Thanks
On my Priority 600 I am happy with the WTB saddle it shipped with.
Thanks Dave interesting video. Here's my story. For several weeks now I have been riding my grandsons bike which has straight bars with Ergon grips and I have found it comfortable. This morning over in the UK it was dark & cold so I decided to use my tourer which has dropped bars because its equipped with lights. I cannot believe how uncomfortable it feels now given I have to ride with a stooped back & I was glad to get back home. So it seems either straight bars or Jones bars are the way forward or I guess the other bars mentioned. I.ll be interested to learn how you felt after your long ride with the Jones bars.
I am not sure whether you know or not or even they will fit with the Ortlieb bag extentions but you can buy light stalks from Ortlieb to mounr your lights above the bag. I use them & they are great. Stay safe out there.
As a matter of fact I am in the middle of a series of road bike rides in Williamsburg, Virginia and the drop bars are killing me. As for the light extensions I have them but no longer need to use them as the Jones Bar with the 2.5 inch rise gets my light up an over the Ortlieb bag. The flat bar with Ergon grips was fine for commuting and short local rides but I needed more hand positions while touring with 6/7 hour days.
The Ortlieb bag extension pushes the bag forward and allows you to “just” get the bag open. Without it the lid of the bag will catch on the loop of the Jones Bar.
I’m torn btwn the Jones Loop bar & the Surly Moloko for my touring bike.
I was too… went with Jones as it was lighter and it fit my existing front handlebar bag perfectly. It had a very wide stance but came with the option to chop it down if need be. I’m still trying to determine if I need to do that. I will leave it as is until after my summer tour to Canada. You really can’t go wrong with either one.
I wish I had shown opening the ortleib bag. It looks like the opening is obstructed by the light and front loop of the bar. Is it really easy to open?
The only way the front Ortlieb handlebar bag works is if you buy the extension that Ortlieb has. With the extension it is close but east to open. Also, if you have a newer Priority 600 they moved the front light and I have the original placement just above the front fender. I will do a short video of it in the next week or so.
I have rheumatoid arthritis in my wrists and have to use my knuckles at time to « hold » onto the handlebars as gripping becomes painful. Also not having suspension as I do on my Litespeed I find it can be jarring after a couple of hours cycling. Would the Jones Bar help?
I think the multiple hand positions might give you more options. The sweep back on the Jones bar is almost like holding a wheel barrow if you have your hands on the grips. Send me your e-mail and we can swap pictures. If I could see your knuckle grip, I could then get on my bike and show you the grip options for you by using your knuckle grip. (I would try to ride with my knuckles).
Hiya buddy great blog 👍
I've bought the planetX on one geoff bar £30
I've not got it fitted but I'm wondering what grips you use please. Mike from the UK 👍
Hello - Thanks for watching. I used ESI extra long foam grips - esigrips.com. I did 2 videos on the bar installation and “Mrs Jones Gets Gussied Up” covers the grips and the install. I got them from Amazon. Not sure if available in the UK but there are other similar brands.
@@cc103acs brilliant thanks I've just subscribed so will definitely watch more vids 👍
Hello, Are your Jones bars the standard or the 2.5 rise version. Thank you.
Yes, the Jones Bar Is the 2.5 and are working out well for me. Thanks for tuning in.
You need a haircut
Why thank you for the advice. Retired from the USAF after 33 years and wanted do some things not available to me while in the military.