Flat bars bikes for CX
 

Im goiong to go to my first CX race this year (as a spectator).. I was wondering, do people run flat bar bikes at these races too? Like Trek FX lines or Specialized Sirrus??

Yes and you'll see mountain bikes out there as well.

wouldn't the flat bar bikes have an advantage??

No.

From my short time racing cross, I've found that the drop bar is far superior to flat bars. Lots more positions to suit the terrain.

Maybe as a warning to others who race cross.

It really depends on the course.

On a technical course a flat-bar bike could be a definite advantate. It also depends on the rider as well.

After today's race (lots of slippery off-camber and rooted sections), I am very seriously considering building one.

-Z

coming from mountain biking, at least back when i was 16, i tried CX once with drop bars and thought it was ridiculous. It was hard to hang on tight enough while on the brakes.

then again, they do have clamp on drops for the flat bars.

I think you could go either way. I spend most of my time in the drops for better control and I would get that same thing with flat bars. Only disadvantage would be more wind resistance, but my cross races are pretty slow paced - at least for me!!

On some tracks it makes a huge difference

Bianchi now offers a flat bar version of their San Jose. The spec is wrong! It wouldn't have cost that much more to spec with an Albatross bar. If they're going offer a flat bar, a straight bar isn't the way to go.