Drop handlebars

If you're comfy enough with what you've got then I wouldn't change it. Drop bars will give you more positions allowing you to rest parts of your back and arms but they won't stop you aching (building up your core body strength will be more beneficial).

You could change the bars on the Subway but you'll probably have to for out for new brake / gear levers so it won't be cheap.

There are a few problems with putting drops on a hybrid (after you have changed your gear levers). The first is the braking performance, since I guess that the Subway will have Vs and these don't work with standard roadie brake levers. You can get some by Diacompe I think that do the job (but no integrated gears) or go for different cantis designed for use with road levers, such as the Tektro Ornyx (Sp?).

The second issue is the top tube length - generally much longer on a hybrid than road bike, leaving you far too stretched out on the drops. You might be able to adjust the position by moving the saddle forward and getting a shorted stem, but this might not be enough. I reckon you could cobble something together but it might not be super comfortable.

I would also recommend a cross bike (perhaps second hand to keep the cost down). Or most touring bikes will be fine on towpaths and there is lots of choice there including some fairly cheap ones.

I commute 15 miles each way with straight bars on an old MTB, and I don't find it a problem.

However it is getting old and I'm thinking about getting a new bike next year, and I'm looking at a road bike, my only issue will be the handling in traffic, as I ride into central london, during rush hour

nottscobb wrote:

It may not look 'cool' on a hybrid but if you want extra hand positions you could fit some barends to your existing handlebars.

Kieran, I'd go with this one. Cheap and quick to do.

Best thing is it somehow upsets all the 'purists'. I was going to get flat bars and bar ends on the MTB, but stayed with bar ends on the riser bars 'cos it seemed to upset them so much! :twisted:

straight bars give you better control in tricky situations too - better for quick changes of direction to avoid other people on the tow path or the water

I've got a hybrid, with riser bars, and bar ends - the bar ends make a lot of difference. Though I got some cheap bar tape and wrapped them - it looks a bit odd, but make a huge difference on your fingers on cold mornings!

Was half considering swapping to drop bars (they were £7.50 on wiggle) - I guess you have to get new brakes, and gear switchers - or could I use my old gear changers, on the bars, near to the stem? I know it'd be ugly, but I don't mind!

And how come V-brakes won't work with drop bars? :shock:

Yes - v-brakes don't work with drop bar levers because of a mis-match of mechanical advantage. Basically drop bar levers don't pull very much cable, cantis need more and V's even more than that. I once had a hybrid converted with drop bars and the braking was disappointing, it used cantis and the braking would have been much worse with vees.

However, it is possible to rig up a half decent gear system with MTB thumb shifters. I placed mine right below the brake levers and they were fine to use when on the drops although no good on the hoods. I was quite pleased with that system for a year or two and it was only my frustration with the brakes that made me get rid of it.

Bar ends first. If you're having back problems you could also look into getting a tall adjustable stem and a more sit up and beg position. Of course this will make you less aerodynamic and therefore harder work (important if you're doing 18miles each way). It will also probably put more pressure on your bum so could perhaps lead to saddle issues.