A load of bull......

gtvlusso
gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
edited August 2010 in Commuting chat
Due to the aggressive geometry of TT and track frames, I have generally stuck with Nitto RB-018 bullhorns on my fixies....

However, on a recent test with drops - aside breaking my back and hurting my wrists! To be hoenest; they were fine for a few miles, but a nightmare over a commute distance on bumpy roads, through traffic and hauling ass up hills!I I decided that bullhorns worked best for me as a daily setup....

However, I am currently using Nitto RB-018 flat bullhorns.....but should I give the Nitto RB-021 drop bullhorn a try? Any experience?

RB-018:
16949.jpg

RB-021:
nitto-rb021-rotterdam-fixed-gear.jpg

Comments

  • Clever Pun
    Clever Pun Posts: 6,778
    surely that's just lowering you down more which you didn't like when on drops?
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  • gaz545
    gaz545 Posts: 493
    Why would you ride drops all the time? thats the great thing about that style of bar, in that you can move your hands over several different positions.

    I use the drops for heavy acceleration, going fast and trying to survive a headwind with some decent speed.
  • Butterd2
    Butterd2 Posts: 937
    You have to persevere with drops, when I first got my road bike I could not use them for more than a couple of mins without back pain, now I'm as comfortable with them as I am on the hoods, and when you hit a headwind they are a real bonus.
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  • gtvlusso
    gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
    Drops are fine on a road bike, with road bike geometry - but on a track bike geometry over a distance, drops are cruel and disturbing!

    Hence the bullhorns to keep me a bit more upright.
  • I've got some bullhorns......... in my cupboard waiting to be fitted to the FG. :D

    I also never use my drops, on any of my bikes, which are now generally pretty well-fitting. I just don't find it comfortable being that hunched over, and feel it impedes my breathing somewhat.
  • SimonAH
    SimonAH Posts: 3,730
    I seriously noticed the lack of a dropped position on the Trek in the wind yesterday, but my flats are vintage Ti loveliness and I can't bear to swap them out for Ally (and carbon would look daft on my bike).

    I have to adopt this strange sort of aero position that gives me no bar leverage.....

    Off to hunt for Ti bullhorns........
    FCN 5 belt driven fixie for city bits
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  • TommyEss
    TommyEss Posts: 1,855
    gtvlusso wrote:
    Drops are fine on a road bike, with road bike geometry - but on a track bike geometry over a distance, drops are cruel and disturbing!

    Hence the bullhorns to keep me a bit more upright.

    The drops on my track bike are a helluva lot lower than any of the drops on my road bikes, that I can attest to. But the longest track races I ride are 10-15 minutes...

    I like the look of the dropped bullhorns - they're a very TT design, so may well suit the frame - as to whether they suit you or not, is a different question.

    I'd be tempted to side with CP - I'd stick with the flat bullhorns for now. You can always change later.
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