[pasopia]

I don't ride cyclecross, but I am thinking of putting road drops on my karate monkey. It is mostly for city use, but sometimes I take it on trails. I thought I would ask you guys how the handling is on cyclecross bikes with road drops when you are off road, and what the advantages and disadventures are.

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[mgwadz]

I don't ride cyclecross, but I am thinking of putting road drops on my karate monkey. It is mostly for city use, but sometimes I take it on trails. I thought I would ask you guys how the handling is on cyclecross bikes with road drops when you are off road, and what the advantages and disadventures are.

I would say flat bars are better off-road, and that CX bikes have drop bars for versatility and because of tradition.

marc

[Alexi]

i think (nitto) moustache bars are the best off-road on road versatility option

[jpearl]

Not that I know what a "karate monkey" is, but I do know what city riding is and I do know different handlebars having raced road and mountain. Honestly, it's a personal preferance. A (long) while back, John Tomac did a season or MTB racing with drops on his bike, and eventually switched back to flat bars. I've got drops on my CX bike, and I'm usually all over the place on those, whether it be a trail, open road, or squeezing between taxis and buses in midtown Manhattan. I'd say think about safety with a city bike and go with the bars that will allow you the most control at slow and fast speeds, manueverability, and braking. Take a look at the rides of NYC messengers, and you'll see every bike and bar combo under the sun.