bsyptak

I keep seeing that same story about less positions on straight bars vs. drops. On my road bike, I have what I believe to be 3 different positions. On my straight bars, I have the same: 1 on grips and 2 places on the curved bar ends.

Why do people consistently ignore the inclusion of bar ends when talking about the merits of drops over straights?

Juha

My hybrid, for example, came without bar ends. They are not standard equipment in every bike.

--J

MichaelW

I have 6 or 7 positions on my drops.

bsyptak

Neither are pedals on road bikes, but people usually put them on there.

bsyptak

I suppose I could call the corner where the bar ends are clamped onto the straights another, and the ends on my bar ends, but I rarely grab there.

Point is, most people seem to commute or ride less than 10 miles at a time on their straight bar bikes, so who needs more than a few positions for such a short distance.

Schumius

they don´t. it seems to be human nature to want something with more function even when they don´t really need them.

but it does make a difference on long rides.

Juha

Perhaps the bike would be unrideable without pedals?

--J

bsyptak

I feel the same way about bar ends. Unrideable-no place to put your hands.

lala

I have never been comfortable on barends: many I need some fit suggestions.

Schumius

i feel weird without barends.
maybe they´ll come up with some sort of screw-in SPDs, it´s got a pole sticking out on the inner side of the shoes so you basically just stuff the pole into the hole on the crankarm and off you go. weight weenies would love that and less chance of people trying to put their ass on your bike without you knowing.

with this kind of system, you don´t pedal, you simply just screw up and down. and your feet can be heading up or down whenever you want and it won´t affect the screwing, very good for cyclists whose heels bump into their panniers quite often. the only small requirement for this new revolutionary technology is that you have a third leg.

Maelstrom 

I run risers with nothing else. With the width of the bars I have 2 positions on all my bikes, depending on if I am doing xc or dh/dj. On my xc I am debating running barends. Depends on how xc I want to make the bike

zonatandem

Drop bars offer you more height variance (5 to 6 inches between top/center of bars to end/bottom of drops) which gives more back positions than flat bars, with or without barendz.
This make a difference on the pressure points in your hands . . . more/less weight on the actual hands (which could alleviate ulnar nerve problems).
Isn't it nice that we have choices?

AndrewP

I have the barends on my hybrid slightly below level to give a hand position close to riding on the hoods of drop bars. Aero clip-on bars give another position.

bsyptak

That is kinda true, but if I am above the curve in my bar ends (they're positioned very forward), the additional reach causes my back is more horizontal to the ground and so I get a similar (though granted not as much) aero stance. Not that it matters much anyway, my panniers tend to keep me from going to fast anyway.

I've got a ruptured disk I've been living with for over 5 years now, so being in the drops for me is about a 30 second event before it starts hurting my back. Of course, this doesn't apply to most people.

Yes, it is right that we have choices. And YES, to each his/her/its own.

Erick L

What I don't understand is why there aren't more bullhorns. I find the top-straight part of my drop bars the most uncomfortable position. I usually ride on the corners, hoods or somewhere in between. The hand doesn't have to be twisted in those positions. With bullhorns, you can stay in those positions and have the break levers at your fingertips. I like the straight part of the drops in windy conditions but I could live without, though I find the forward-curved part (under the hoods) invaluable on fast descents. That's why I'll probably stay with drops and not go with bullhorns.

stumpjumper

well, by that logic, I suppose we should factor in the additional positions provided by aero bars when clamped to drop bars?

bsyptak

Bored, aren't we?

stumpjumper

Speak for yourself. Its your thread, after all.

My point being that we can bolt things onto flat and drop bars and gain more hand positions. You cant compare "plain" drop bars with flat bars with an add-on.

roadfix

My cottage cheese w/pineapple expires on Jan 12, 2005. That gives me about 6 hours to consume the thing before it goes bad.

Bontrager

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