Road v cyclocross v flatbar - which one for me?

Stuart123

Currently riding a flatbar bike with sora...good fit, nice bike, but would like 105 componentry or above and something closer to 8kg rather than 11...

Have never ridden a dropbar bike and suspect it would not be for me (I like the comfort and improved visibility, and easy access to brakes offered by flatbar).

There are not many options (tof which I am aware) for getting a light flatbar bike short of taking a proper road bike and whacking flatbars on it. So some questions:


1. What is the power and feel of a decent road brake in comparison with v brakes?

2. Depending on the answer to 1, maybe I would be better off with a cyclocross frame?

3. Do any of the mainstream vendors like trek, giant, specialized offer high quality flatbar frames (i.e. you can purchase just the frame with v brake mounts)?

4. Does anyone know if there is anywhere in Sydney, Australia where I could hire a decent road bike to answer my question of drop bar suitability/brake performance?

Thanks in advance.

HillClimber101

dont get a flatbar, your understand when you have drop bars, more positions, more areo, better looks

HillClimber101

dont get a flatbar, your understand when you have drop bars, more positions, more areo, better looks

HillClimber101

dont get a flatbar, your understand when you have drop bars, more positions, more areo, better looks

EssexSuffolk

If you definitely want flat bars (and I'd recommend trying drops) you might want to take a look at the Giant FCR range - frames appear to be idenitcal to the Giant Defy, so similar weight as well.

pintoo

If you're in Australia then this is probably of no use to you, but I just bought a Pinnacle Expede Street 1.0 - it's a flat bar "hybrid" - essentially a cx with flat bars; it's a white label bike from Evans stores in the UK. It has carbon seatstays and forks which make it very smooth.

I tested the Specialized TriCross Sport and didn't get on with it. Of course, the main thing is for you to try a shortlist because what feels good and fits right for me won't necessarily be so for you.

Many cx'ers, including the Expede come with cantilever brakes. I know Vs are meant to be better, but I actually really like the feel of the cantis on my expede - they seem to have a little more feel to them - but that might just be compound used in the blocks themselves. So far, I can't say their braking performance is inferior to Vs despite popular opinion.

maddog 2

the last five people I know who are new to road biking and bought themselves a road bike with drops have used it for about a month and concluded they don't like drops and prefer flats. Of those five, I've fitted 48cm wide flats + bar ends + ergons to two of them and they are quite clear that it improved the comfort and control, especially braking.

flats with good bar ends have plenty of positions, and lets face it pretty much all roadies only ever ride on the hoods anyway, most of the time.

The way I see it, drops are a historical accident as much as anything. Make your own mind up as to which bar setup is more comfortable and ergonomic, don't just follow the crowd.

alfablue

maddog 2 wrote:

The way I see it, drops are a historical accident as much as anything. Make your own mind up as to which bar setup is more comfortable and ergonomic, don't just follow the crowd.

I have both flat bar and dropped bar bikes. As far as ergonomics is concerned, the flat bar is better for braking, but it is an unnatural twist of the wrist to hold a flat bar which is uncomfortable on a long ride. Bar ends help, however the brakes are not then quickly accessible. The answer is to ride on the hoods of drop bars. If I hang my arms to my sides in a relaxed manner, my palms face my side, not backwards (I think this is normal :? ), and the hoods position maintains this natural position. You are right that the drops aren't often used (I use them when cycling into head winds), but the drop bar using hoods is nevertheless by far the comfiest. On long tours my flat bar tourer (who's days are numbered - I will get a drop bar tourer as soon as I can afford it) gives me aching wrists and numb hands.

Of course, a possible alternative is bullhorn bars if you really don't want the drop bar part.

Whilst drop bars may indeed be a historical accident, I would contest the assertion that they are less ergonomic.

eh

But on drops you can still ride like a flat bar just hold either side of the stem.

Personally I prefer drops because they are better for descending at speed on and offer changes in hand position during rides.

Decent road brakes (ie. shimano/campag) are more than capable of locking up the wheels and once that happens all brakes are the same.

maddog 2

if you put your arms out in front of you and allow your hands to fall into their natural position, then it's true your palms aren't perfectly downwards, but they aren't facing each other either. On my arms... they're closer to downwards than facing.

As for all brakes being the same if they can lock up a wheel.... that made me laugh.

alfablue

maddog 2 wrote:

if you put your arms out in front of you and allow your hands to fall into their natural position, then it's true your palms aren't perfectly downwards, but they aren't facing each other either. On my arms... they're closer to downwards than facing.

Individual variation I guess (can you oppose thumb and index finger? ). Actually, I just checked, my left faces my side completely, my right about 30 degrees to rear! And it's my left wrist and hand that usually gives gip. Though it is still more effort to turn them to a horizontal rather than vertical bar position.

coldeverything

I ride a cyclocross bike for my commute and it is a good compromise. I have the extra cross brakes on the tops of the bars which work just like flat bar brakes plus I have the drops if I want to change position - ride on the hoods. I think this way you would have it all covered.

carbo-loaded

cyclocross bikes used as road bikes could have the following disadvantages, depending on what you are looking for:

They have to be strong enough to take the puishment off road, so alloy cross frames are VERY stiff (ie uncomfortable) , even compared to road alloy frames.

They have to have horizontal top tubes, so they can be shouldered in a cross race (only a problem if you like compact frames)

Some of the more competitive cross frames don't have bottle, mudguard or rack bosses - great for cross racing but not so versatile for general purpose use

High bottom bracket?

coldeverything

I agree there is some truth in what you are saying but as far as a cyclocross being uncomfortable I do not agree. I find the larger section tyres more than make up for any stiffness you mention. I also do not suffer any major loss of speed as I use a Conti tyre with the slick center section. I actually find my cross bike is more comfortable than my carbon race bike. Out of interest, what is the issue with the high bottom bracket, I compared my cross bike with my race bike and see the raised bracket more a consequence of having much bigger tyres on the cross bike. I do long club rides at weekends and although I will usually take the race bike, if it's really wet I take the cross as its got mud guards on. I know this topic has gone off the subject now but it was about choosing between flat bar or drops. I just thought I would mention cross type bikes as they have the option for both types of brake lever.

carbo-loaded

coldeverything wrote:

I agree there is some truth in what you are saying but as far as a cyclocross being uncomfortable I do not agree. I find the larger section tyres more than make up for any stiffness you mention. I also do not suffer any major loss of speed as I use a Conti tyre with the slick center section. I actually find my cross bike is more comfortable than my carbon race bike. Out of interest, what is the issue with the high bottom bracket, I compared my cross bike with my race bike and see the raised bracket more a consequence of having much bigger tyres on the cross bike. I do long club rides at weekends and although I will usually take the race bike, if it's really wet I take the cross as its got mud guards on. I know this topic has gone off the subject now but it was about choosing between flat bar or drops. I just thought I would mention cross type bikes as they have the option for both types of brake lever.

Hi coldeverything,

I hope we're not too far off the subject - I posted the comments about cross bikes because Stuart123 asked:

"2. Depending on the answer to 1, maybe I would be better off with a cyclocross frame?"

Good point about the bar top brake levers (which can be fitted to most drop bar bikes, not just cross bikes). I've used those and as a transition from flats to drops, they are a great idea.

I think the high BB is a generic design feature on cross frames, for increased ground clearance. From what I've read, it can be an issue if you load the bike with luggage, as the c of g is higher than a typical touring bike, therefore it doesn't handle so well. I can't comment from experience here, which is why I posted high bottom bracket with a "?"

maddog 2

The Ridgeback is a strong candidate. They've been making good, fast flatbars for a while now.

Also have a look at the Boardman range - they've got some disc flatbars in the range and Halfords are in biketowork AFAIK

zedders

If breaks concern you - have you had a look at the Orbea Diem Drop disc?

Its a road bike fitted with 105 which your after, and disc brakes front & rear. Something you don't see everyday on a road bike? And apparently its steady & comfy ride as its a little heavier, and has a longer wheelbase than most road bikes. Cycling plus gave it an 8 of 10.

Ref. Flat or drops, I rode a mountain bike for years, then got a road bike with drops. I wish I had done it sooner! As its already been mentioned, you have more postions to play with. So you can move around etc, which helps keep you fresh.