Drop Bars are essential!
08-24-10, 06:40 AM
#2
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Drop bars are also a godsend on a windy day when you're riding into a headwind or cross wind.
08-24-10, 07:14 AM
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I've done drop bars and flat bars, but my personal preference is the Nashbar Trekking handlebars... you can install them at an angle and provide a number of comfortable hand positions.
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...1_10000_200388
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...1_10000_200388
08-24-10, 07:42 AM
#7
Full Member
If you have upright bars get yourself a cushy wide brooks saddle with springs. Then the rear won't mind so much.
08-24-10, 07:53 AM
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I'm with the OP...I love drops. I have one bike without them, and I use it short distance utility because of this.
I had back problems a few years ago and finally realized it was because I was commuting on a flat bar cannondale MTB. When I switched to drops, the back cleared up.
I had back problems a few years ago and finally realized it was because I was commuting on a flat bar cannondale MTB. When I switched to drops, the back cleared up.
08-24-10, 07:56 AM
#9
born again cyclist
drop bars are not essential, but on those november mornings when there's a 35mph headwind screaming right at me off of lake michigan, it's really, REALLY, REALLY freaking nice to be able to tuck down. drop bars don't necessarily make battling a headwind like that fun or enjoyable, but they certainly do help make it more bearable.
08-24-10, 08:00 AM
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I'm with Philski on the trekking bars. Had a set for close to three months now, and I'm quite pleased. I wouldn't call them or any other particular kind of handlebars essential. though. The only essential part is having handlebars... any kind. I think it would be a bit difficult to steer your bike by grabbing the stem with one hand a holding the brake lever in the other... 
08-24-10, 08:50 AM
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I've been commuting on a drop bar bike for the past two months. Starting to put some serious thought into converting it to a trekking bar. Drops are worthless in traffic when you have to keep your hands on the brakes,and I find the 'drops' on trekking bars to be much more stable than the ones on drop bars.
I've been commuting on a drop bar bike for the past two months. Starting to put some serious thought into converting it to a trekking bar. Drops are worthless in traffic when you have to keep your hands on the brakes,and I find the 'drops' on trekking bars to be much more stable than the ones on drop bars.
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08-24-10, 09:22 AM
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I too prefer drop bars, but it's just silly to say they are essential (sorry!). In fact I have to commute --which is most of my riding-- on a folding bike with flat bars. Drop bars are simply not an option; they won't let the bike fold up small enough to fit in the luggage rack on the train.
08-24-10, 09:25 AM
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Ummm... this is the commuting forum
08-24-10, 09:31 AM
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08-24-10, 09:32 AM
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Depends on what type of commute. Rural? Certainly, but if one has a 10 mile or less urban they're a little unstable. One needs to be more upright in general to keep an eye on traffic. And the cagers need to be able to see you. too!
08-24-10, 09:33 AM
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I don't find drops essential for my 20 minute each way commute. If it were twice as long, they would be nearly essential for me. Nonetheless I greatly prefer my road bike even for 20 minutes as long as conditions aren't snowy or icy.
08-24-10, 09:35 AM
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08-24-10, 09:46 AM
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I speculate that the vast majority of commuters are on hybrid bicycles that do not have drop bars, so I wouldn't call them essential especially for typical commuter distances (under 20 miles). I think 'nice' would be a more appropriate term to use.
08-24-10, 09:51 AM
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08-24-10, 09:52 AM
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The are not even essential for 100mile+ rides or for some types of racing.
08-24-10, 10:32 AM
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I haven't experienced any difficulties in watching traffic with drops...you can ride the flats or the hoods. I also don't think bars are making any difference in your visibility to cars. I PREFER urban commuting with drops.
08-24-10, 11:15 AM
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
08-24-10, 11:16 AM
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
08-24-10, 11:17 AM
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^^ winner of the thread
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
08-24-10, 11:19 AM
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I'm on 22,000 miles without them. Odd definition of "essential." And I don't have any problems with pressure on my behind - I have a good saddle that fits me.
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