Commuting - Switching to Drop Bars?

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cradduck
07-09-06, 01:05 AM
I was looking through the QBP catalog earlier today and came across these drop-bar looking add-ons. (http://www.canecreek.com/speedbars.html) I don't know if anyone has tried these but they may be a good way to get in the "drop" position without breaking the bank.

godspiral
07-09-06, 06:19 AM
I'm surprised that the company displays them over bullhorns... the text of the ad also seems to recommend using them with various road bikes.
newbojeff
07-09-06, 07:51 AM
That is just a weird orientation to show. Can't tell if they're bullhorns or drops facing downward.

DanPT
07-09-06, 08:00 AM
They won't fit MTB Flat handlebar.
Compatibility: SpeedBars fit both 26.0mm and 31.8 road bars. a MTB Flat handlebar diameter is 22.2mm
dobber
07-09-06, 08:58 AM
They won't fit MTB Flat handlebar. a MTB Flat handlebar diameter is 22.2mm

Technically they are made for drop bars. But since a flat bar has a smaller diameter, one could use a shim. I've employed this method for mounting some cross levers on a flat bar.

There have been prior discussion of various quasi-drop configs here in the commuters forum.
DanPT
07-09-06, 09:47 AM
There is also some discontinued very hard to find drop style bar ends like the newk (http://www.kinetics.org.uk/html/853_commuter.shtml)

the endless-innovation road-ends
(http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=2581514#post2581514)

Or my own DIY two bar ends retrofit.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=2569727#post2569727
Bottomfeeder
07-09-06, 10:19 AM
How long a stretch do you usually need to maintain that drop postition for? I'm asking because if you only need to get 'aero' for short periods you can try what I've done on my two bikes. One has riser bars and one has 26mm diameter mustache bars. what I've done on both is to simply slide a pair of inexpensive barends as far inboard, inside the shifters and brake levers, as I can. This allows me to get into a pretty effective aero tuck when I'm riding into a nasty headwind or just want to get going as fast as I can. there's no arm rests, so it's not a position you'd want to hold for an hour. But it's a cheap and quick way of adding another hand position to shift to. And that helps keep you comfortable over the long haul on a mountain or comfort type bike.

DanO