The original handlebar on my Trek FX 7.3 is a very comfortable, ergonomic Bontrager Satellite Plus IsoZone model. I wasn’t happy only with one aspect – the lack of positions other than pushing straight-armed on the handlebars. For a few days it was ok but when I started planning my journey to Armenia, I knew that I have to add some bar ends.
The reason I write about this is because the handlebars have unusual endings and I had to spend some time researching what would be the right solution, and there weren’t too many materials at that time.
Since the handlebars have non-round endings, I had to use adapters to make them round before installing the bar ends. At that time the only adapter produced by Trek was the Bontrager Race Lite Ergo Bar IsoZone Bar End Adapters. Now I found new Bontrager Satellite Plus IsoZone Bar End Adapter which does the same thing, i.e. making the handlebar round at its end, only it has a different cap (which in my case plays just an aesthetic role).
So the job to be done was to remove the grip from the handlebars, cut out part of the white insert because otherwise the adapter wouldn’t fit, and put the adapter and fix it with the grip.
Now what you get is a few centimeters space to add a bar end. Mind that the end of this (Race Lite Ergo) model is not even – last few centimeters are a bit lower and the bar end should not come on that part.
Adding a bar end is a simple task. It’s good to test the exact position you want them to be in, like the angle and the direction of the bars.
Later I have wrapped the bar ends with a soft tape so that I don’t touch cold metal when riding in winter months.
hi, what kind of bar ends is it
Thank you
Sorry for late reply Massimo. I bought them from Decathlon in the Netherlands, they were of their own brand, B’twin.
Can you install non-isozone grips on an isozone handlebar?
If so, what adjustments do you have to make?
Yes, that won’t be a problem mostly. Like you can see on the 3rd picture where the grip is taken off, the handlebar has a standard tube shape except the very ending. I would add some rubber there so it doesn’t stay hollow when you install new grips.
For new grips just make sure the diameter and the length are fitting before you buy. Hope this helps!
The Mirrycle mirror I have is the one designed specifically for the Isozone handlebars, btw.
I see that the end of the handle bar is open in the photo. Is this after the Isozone Satellite Plus Adapter plug has been installed?
The reason I ask is that I’m adding bar ends to my Trek FX 3. The plugs that come with the adapter kit seem to be one solid piece of metal with the end cap permanently attached. This is a problem for me because I already have a Mirrycle bar end mirror and I have no idea how I’m supposed to install the mirror with these end bar adapter plugs.
Hi, my adapters had half cm deepenings at the end, but essentially it’s also closed. I checked the mirror you have, and it won’t work with bar end adapeters I am afraid 🙁
The mirror I used had a clamp that I could attach to the bar end itself.