Benefits of drops?

flyer

As you may see from another post, I am looking to buy a flat bar!

Having had a Roubaix Pro for 3 years, I sold it after a back injury last year.

However I know there are a number of options for your hands on a drop, but will a flat bar still do say 50 miles OR is that far from normal

Any experienced comments appreciated.

So far I am edging back towards drops, but love the confidence and feels of a flat bar.

Flyer

Super Domestique

Aerodynamics and various hand positions I would say.

andrewjoseph

Lots of mountain bikers do 50 miles + on flat bars. most mountain bikers have at least front suspension though. i have bar ends on my mtb to allow a change of position.

i have tried a few drop bars on my road bikes and settled on a compact. easy reach to the drops and brakes, comfortable position on the tops and hoods.

if you are not comfortable with your drops, try to sort out why, and look for a bar that will help remedy those issues.

I found the 'ergonomic' drops the most un-ergonomic bars I've ever used.

rolf_f

flyer wrote:

So far I am edging back towards drops, but love the confidence and feels of a flat bar.

Just remember that things that seem initially uncomfortable, twitchy or just odd soon become normal. A bit like driving a car with the steering wheel on the opposite side to that which you are used to - initially scary, it takes only a few miles to get used to it.

So, just go for it. You see loads of people here who went flat bar rather than drop and regretted it. You see some of the opposite viewpoint but they are much rarer.

Duffer65

If you have a permanent back condition it may not be sensible for you to use drops as it could exacerbate the problem. If this the case get a fast hybrid with flats and bar ends.

andrewjoseph

My understanding of back problems, (and I am a long term sufferer), is that a more upright posture on a bike causes more problems as any shocks are sent straight up the spine.

Leaning forward with the back curved up wards (as is normal on a well fitting bike), can ease back problems as shocks are not transmitted, nerves are less likely to be pinched, disks are unloaded etc.

Too long a stretch and the back can curve down, potentially caused major problems.

A lot of this will depend on the nature of the back problem, where the problem area is and the severity.

I have a laminectomy and fusion at L5 S1, further incidents at work resulted in scarring of the sciatic nerves in the sacral area, resulting in permanent pain, loss of sensation and reflexes in both feet.

Riding my mtb and road bike usually don't make things worse. On a bad day though, riding my bike is unthinkable, but on those days I have difficulty getting out of bed and putting my socks on.

MountainMonster

Flat bars and a set of bar ends should do just fine. The drops may give 1 extra hand position over the aforementioned bars, but not enough to make a difference. Plus flat bars are generally wider, which is more comfortable for some people.

Distance plays no part!

jonny_trousers

Drops look cooler.

In terms of practicality, imagine you are carrying two fairly heavy bags of shopping, which way round would you hold your wrists? If it's knuckles pointing forwards, a la George Bush/a chimpanzee, then you may be more comfortable on flats. Any other way and drops should be more comfortable over a certain length of time,

kettrinboy

Ive done a fair few 50-60 mile rides on my hybrid and a couple of 75 mile rides and its pretty comfortable on the hands apart from a bit of numbness now and again , but nothing that taking your hand off the bars for a bit wont cure though, and on steep hills i still prefer flat bars to drops, i just seem to be able to get up the steep 15-20% bits better than on the drop bars on my roadbikes.

fast as fupp

the scientific answer is FLAT BARS ARE FOR POOFS!

desweller

I see no reason why you couldn't run a drop handlebar higher on the stem to achieve the more upright position you're after without sacrificing the multitude of hand positions and the option to tuck into a headwind.

For me, I suffer from numb hands after 30 miles or so on flat bars, even with bar ends, so I vastly prefer drops (although I am about to try out butterfly bars on my 'hybrid').

thecryof

Super Domestique wrote:

Aerodynamics and various hand positions I would say.

+1

Mr Will

thecryof wrote:

Super Domestique wrote:

Aerodynamics and various hand positions I would say.

+1

+1

+ the narrower bars are handy if you ride through city traffic regularly.

HamishD

Jonny_Trousers wrote:

In terms of practicality, imagine you are carrying two fairly heavy bags of shopping, which way round would you hold your wrists? If it's knuckles pointing forwards, a la George Bush/a chimpanzee, then you may be more comfortable on flats. Any other way and drops should be more comfortable over a certain length of time,

This , every time. The argument "oh, but I've got bar ends" doesn't cut it for me. a) they're uncomfortable compared with riding on the hoods all day b) you can't change gear from there c) you can't brake.

If you want a more upright position, just raise the bars or flip the stem . . .

niblue

I've got a flat bar and bar ends on my commuter/tourer and find that very comfortable for long distance rides, with no hand numbness issues. The bar-ends are needed though as it replicates the "on-the-hoods" hand position which is my preferred drop-bar hand position.

Not being able to get to the brakes or shifters from the bar-ends is a non-issue in my experience.

rolf_f

niblue wrote:

Not being able to get to the brakes or shifters from the bar-ends is a non-issue in my experience.

Indeed - you can't reach the brakes from the tops of the a drop bar so that one evens out in the end.

Still, two positions with flats and bar ends is no substitute for the multiple positions of the drop (as long as you actually use them!)

MountainMonster

For the people who say bar ends are waste because you can't reach the shifters or the brake levers while using the ends, obviously have not ridden much with bar ends. In emergency sitatuations you may have to pop the hands down to and hit the brakes, but in average riding you won't even notice it.

I rode a MTB as a commuter with bar ends for about a year, and even in city, if I did come to a position where I did not need to cover the brakes, there was absolutely no problem using bar ends.

HamishD

MountainMonster wrote:

In emergency sitatuations you may have to pop the hands down to and hit the brakes

My point exactly.

On the hoods you have the position you want PLUS you can change gear and brake. No need for compromise.

However, everyone has a different riding style. I spend very little time, if any, on the tops . . . each to their own . . . buy a flat bar and put bar ends on if you want. . .

HamishD

MountainMonster wrote:

For the people who say bar ends are waste because you can't reach the shifters or the brake levers while using the ends, obviously have not ridden much with bar ends.

PS - I have , both on road and off road. On road, it sucks.