Nitto "Raundoneur" Bars: They've Got Flare

The classic randonneur bar shape is one of those subtle things that give a bike that certain je ne sais quoi, even if this sentiment is often rendered in English as, "What the f#@* happened to your handlebars, dude?" That's okay. They're not for everyone, and to be honest, I'm not even sure they're for me. Many folks make claims for their unparalleled comfort (pun intended), but I can't say I notice much difference from "normal" drops. But they certainly do no harm, and if nothing else, they can serve as a conversation starter.

A propos of nothing, I've heard that francophilia is rampant in Japan, particularly vis-à-vis bicycles, but one wonders how deep that fixation runs in light of Nitto's spelling of "raundoneur." Oh well, c'est la vie.