Touring - LHT-straight bars or drops?

I got my new LHT today. I am used to straight bars on the bike I had. Should I replace the drops with straight or stay with drops? Not sure I can get used to drops.

Try 'em. They're better.

If you are going to be doing long rides, you may wind up looking at different saddles. Not sure what tires they're using this year, I want a good tire on my bike.
And you may want a differently shaped handlebar. There are many types of drops, it's hard to know which would be best for you.
If this one doesn't feel right after a few weeks, talk to your LBS about different shapes.

One trick I like is to double wrap the bars in Cinelli gel tape.

stick with em..... more hand positions will help your wrists/hands. You can always switch if after trying them you still don't like them.

change can be...... uncomfortable for a short while.

I was used to flat bars till I got my LHT. It didn't take much time to get used to the bar-end shifters, or the crazy amount of hand positions you can adopt.

The only thing I have found, (and still find awkward) Is the narrowness of the bar. I have a 52cm frame, so it might be different, but I feel like I'm being "pinched in" in any position. My bars are 16 3/8" from the outside curve to outside curve of the drops.

Possible first thing though: Replace the brake bads. The stock pads are hard as rocks. I should have asked if there was anything better a long time ago. Next pay check is going to something better.

I was used to flat bars till I got my LHT. It didn't take much time to get used to the bar-end shifters, or the crazy amount of hand positions you can adopt.

The only thing I have found, (and still find awkward) Is the narrowness of the bar. I have a 52cm frame, so it might be different, but I feel like I'm being "pinched in" in any position. My bars are 16 3/8" from the outside curve to outside curve of the drops.

Possible first thing though: Replace the brake bads. The stock pads are hard as rocks. I should have asked if there was anything better a long time ago. Next pay check is going to something better.

Your bars are like stem length. Very personal when it comes to fit. If your bars are narrow do yourself a favor and pick up some wider ones. Even 2 cm can make a big difference in comfort. Bar/tape combined will run you maybe 30-40 bucks.

Get some cool stop pads.... salmon or mixed compound for a major increase in braking feel and power. I'm sure someone else will chime with other brands that work well.

Yeah, I've heard Koolstop is good, and I'm planning on getting...well, something. I've heard that the salmon is supposed to be better in the wet? Softer compound?

I am planning on new bars, sometime soon. Just need money and time (second "commuter bike" wouldn't hurt either)

Koolstop pads are good for OUR weather. Since we are rock throwing distance apart. Wet is what we know most years. This year is a little strange you might say.

I've had both before, but I do like flat bars with and aerobar attached. This gives me my offroad stability (yes I do take my LHT wherever I feel like. The aerobar allows me to be "in the drops". It's my "best of both worlds". This is just my personal preference though.

It will be a big hassle and a significant expense to swap in a flat bar as the shifters and brake levers won't work. You'll also be getting fewer hand positions and reduce the effective TT of the bike. I'd run the drop for a few weeks and see what you think. You can always make the change later.

Heh, totally know about the wet weather!

Strangely, for the past few months, I haven't been rained on while commuting!

Still, need some wet weather gear soon. And I'll be hunting down some Koolstop pads as soon as I can...Sick of this hand-clenching-but-nothing-happening feeling when a car decides to cut me off...

Heh, totally know about the wet weather!

Strangely, for the past few months, I haven't been rained on while commuting!

Still, need some wet weather gear soon. And I'll be hunting down some Koolstop pads as soon as I can...Sick of this hand-clenching-but-nothing-happening feeling when a car decides to cut me off...

You have been teased my friend..... this to shall pass.

Switching from drops to straight bars is a big hassle and sort of expensive. Changing to different drop bars is less of a hassle and you won't need to buy new components (other than new bar tape and perhaps new cables and housings), but it's still a hassle, especially if you've never done anything like this before.

I say ride your current setup awhile and see how you like it after you get used to it.

By the way, there are lots of easy adjustments you can make to customize your bike's fit - raise or lower the saddle, slide the saddle fore or aft, change the angle of the saddle, raise or lower the stem with spacers, get a different stem (fairly cheap and usually a pretty easy switch.)

Ride your bike for awhile. If you want to adjust something, start with saddle height, fore and aft, and angle. If things don't feel right, talk to someone at your local bike shop about stem/handlebar adjustments. Find someone good - not just someone who wants to sell you something.

If, after all of that, you still want to try straight bars, go for it. I've seen LHT's with straight bars, trekking bars, etc.

Thanks guys. i will try these bars. The hardest part of getting used to it is the brakes. I can't get used to them in that position.

I used to prefer flat bars, but now find drops to work much better for me. The basic hand position on the hoods feels much more natural now.

One easy thing you can do is install interruptor (aka cross) brake levers:


http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/images/BR7312.jpg

That way you can ride on the tops (same position as flat bars) without having to swap the whole bar out. It also gives you access to the extra hand positions of the drops.

How do the cross brake levers hook in with the brakes that came on the bike?

Trekking bars are an excellent choice for people who like flat bars but also want additional hand positions that do not put them as low as drop bars. Changes in riding position will be fore and aft rather than up and down.

They will also use the same controls as a flat bar so are fairly economical.

Trekking bars are an excellent choice for people who like flat bars but also want additional hand positions that do not put them as low as drop bars. Changes in riding position will be fore and aft rather than up and down.

They will also use the same controls as a flat bar so are fairly economical.

Trekking bars would be economical if you are going from a MTB bar to trekking bars, but in the OP's case you are going from a drop bar [stock on LHTs] you'll have to spend a significant amount of $$ to make the change.

Not to worry. did my first ride tonight and the bars were just fine. In a few more weeks it will be second nature. I really like the bike. Thanks again.