First day using drops and first few miles for new B17
06-29-07, 11:53 AM
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First day using drops and first few miles for new B17
Hey all,
Wow, that was different...
Today was the first day I rode drops. I was previously riding an '06 Marin Novato which is basically an Aluminum Mountain bike with a steel fork. Now I have this:
https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/308577-so-i-bought-used-520-how-did-i-do.html
It was also the first day I used the Brooks B17 Standard I purchased specifically for this rig. I did 10 miles and the seat felt fine. However, the drop bars were very different. I was surprised at how narrow they felt as compared to straight bars. I could see the physical difference before I road but to actually experience it was rather interesting. I loved all the different hand positions. It seemed every time I turned around I was finding something new. Very cool. The STI shifters will take some getting used to. I'll withold judgement until I've used them for a few weeks.
Well, just wanted to throw my thoughts out there for others who haven't ridden drops.
-Podolak
Wow, that was different...
Today was the first day I rode drops. I was previously riding an '06 Marin Novato which is basically an Aluminum Mountain bike with a steel fork. Now I have this:
https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/308577-so-i-bought-used-520-how-did-i-do.html
It was also the first day I used the Brooks B17 Standard I purchased specifically for this rig. I did 10 miles and the seat felt fine. However, the drop bars were very different. I was surprised at how narrow they felt as compared to straight bars. I could see the physical difference before I road but to actually experience it was rather interesting. I loved all the different hand positions. It seemed every time I turned around I was finding something new. Very cool. The STI shifters will take some getting used to. I'll withold judgement until I've used them for a few weeks.
Well, just wanted to throw my thoughts out there for others who haven't ridden drops.
-Podolak
06-29-07, 02:29 PM
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It definitely takes some getting used to. I went from a Trek 7200 FX (hybrid bike) to a drop bar road bike and it was a while before I was warm and fuzzy with the handling. My advice is to not over-extend your developing abilities -- the last thing you want to do is drop the bike while you're in the drops! You'll also love the STI shifters in no time, no doubt. And the B17 is a thing of pure beauty. Have you got a newer pic of it on the 520? Bet it's lovely.
