Worldcat Riser Handlebar

Well, there it is, installed... :-)

Tried to install the handlebar last night but could not remove the sponge grips. The basketball pump needle, which I used to insert between the grip and the handlebar to inflate/cushion the grip for removal, broke.

So, this morning I took the whole bike to a bike shop and borrowed the high-power air pump. The grip was really stucked to the handlebar. The shop owner helped and we managed to get them off, and everything installed shortly thereafter.

So how did the Worldcat riser handlebar feel like? I am definitely no expert on handlebars, but it certainly felt better than the Echo flat handle bar. My body was not lurched forward so much and less effort was spent on extending the bike or lifting the front wheel... Sweet... :-)

Pivoting was very much easier and smoother when transitioning from the front to the back and vice versa. The Worldcat handlebar was about 1 and a half inches shorter than the Echo, but that did not affect the control as much as I thought it would have. All in all I am very pleased with the handlebar.

Another valuable lesson learned... :-)