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Trekking Bars versus Dropbars

Old 12-12-08, 02:53 AM
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Trekking Bars versus Dropbars

G'day

Slowly progressing sorting out the build parts for my Surly LHT which may get completed in 2009 :roll: .

Anyway before I make my final decision on shifters etc, I have been re-thinking the bars (comes from a week in NZ seeing way to many tourers).

So what are the thoughts on trekking bars, e.g., Kev's setup here



versus drop bars such as the Nitto Randonneur?



Advantages/disadvantages? Preferences? Experiences?

I assume if going with the trekking bars I would run MTB shifters and thus have less compatibility issues with MTB FD/RD.

Thanks
Andrew
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Old 12-12-08, 06:47 AM
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Obviously this is a personal preference thing. That said I tried trekking bars and found them lacking by comparison. If I had a MTB and wanted to convert it for touring I might use them to avoid having to change brake levers and shifters, but otherwise I wouldn't consider them. The hand positions while numerous didn't feel as natural or comfortable for me. This may just be because I am so acclimated to the drop bar positions and like all my bikes set up with a similar position.

You may find them to be the greatest thing to come down the pike though. I'd say to try to get a ride on a bike with them to see what you think.

Since I have a strong preference for STI drops are a no brainer, but I would pick them even if I didn't want STI.
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Old 12-12-08, 07:07 AM
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I didn't find them as comfortable either.
I prefer the drops.
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Old 12-12-08, 07:13 AM
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I purchased a Surly LHT complete this spring and switched it over to Trekking/butterfly bars. I like the many positions and I feel that they are far more comfortable then drop bars. I purchased Paul Thumbies to mount the Shimano barend shifters on the top of the handlebar. I also purchased a set of levers that work with either cantilever or v-brakes. Covered the bars in cork grips and cork tape. Best bar setup I've ever had.

Here are some picture:

https://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/Surly%20LHT/
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Old 12-12-08, 07:22 AM
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I've toured with drops and trekking bars. My preference is..... both of them. It all depends on the getting the right setup for you. Personally, I think one of the biggest issues with drops is installing them too low with respect to the saddle height. Likewise, I almost gave up on my trekking bars because I just couldn't find the right setup -I eventually stumbled on it by accident when I took the trekking bars off my touring bike to put on my backup touring bike, and like a bursting flash of light they were suddenly very comfortable!

The things I do find are that trekking bars are easier for standing out of the pedals, and that for shifting, unless I use STIs, mtb shifters are closer to hand and more convenient (at least for me). Drops are nice for getting more aerodynamic when you have that nasty headwind. Anyway, assuming you can get comfortable with either setup, here are some thoughts:

Trekking bars can accommodate mtb shifters, levers, etc. I recommend trekking bars for anyone who is initially converting an mtb over to a commuter or tourer based on the fact all you need is the bars, most likely a new stem, and perhaps a little bar tape. Factor in the fact that the ubiquitous v-brakes can be easily used with standard long pull mtb levers and it makes for fast, easy and cheap conversions -even if you need to buy new stuff, usually you can get mtb stuff for cheap.

Drop bars soon rack up the expense *if* you have no existing componentry. If you have v-brakes then you are more limited with your braking choices, particularly if you choose to go the STI/Ergo route as you'll need some adaptor thingimajigs (as well as a road specific front derailleur). Assuming you have cantis, then standard short pull road bar levers can be used. One the biggest expenses is with the shifters -STIs/Ergos/bar ends aren't cheap, particularly compared to mtb Ebay shifter options (e.g. I use $10 9-speed SRAM Centera shifters I bought from Ebay on my trekking bars which I find are fine). Another alternative is to use downtube shifters, but personally I like shifting controls close to hand (yet another alternative is to use downtube shifters with Kelly Takeoffs, my own setup I use and love them -though they may not work with the Randonneurs. Also, you could try barend shifters with Pauls thumbies).

If you are short of money or have existing mtb components, I'd say try the trekking bars first as it would be a relatively low cost experiment to see if you like them. If you have the money, well, just make a choice based on what you think you'd prefer!
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Old 12-12-08, 07:23 AM
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I ride trekking bars on a converted mountain bike and like them just fine. That said, I think the right sized/type of drop bars are a bit better, but not worth the trouble/cash on the mountain bike. If I were talking about a LHT I would go drops like Surly builds the completes.
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Old 12-12-08, 07:26 AM
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I've tried treking bars 2 times.... even the Modolo's ..... never could get comfortable on them. Just wasted money for me.... I do better with a bullhorn and DT shifters.
 
Old 12-12-08, 07:56 AM
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It is a personal choice with no performance gain or loss with either option. Ask yourself what kind bikes have ridden and preferred in the past? What kind of touring you plan on doing? How much does it cost?
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Old 12-12-08, 08:02 AM
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Originally Posted by VT_Speed_TR
I purchased a Surly LHT complete this spring and switched it over to Trekking/butterfly bars. I like the many positions and I feel that they are far more comfortable then drop bars. I purchased Paul Thumbies to mount the Shimano barend shifters on the top of the handlebar.
Originally Posted by Nigeyy
Personally, I think one of the biggest issues with drops is installing them too low with respect to the saddle height.
I was going to stay away from commenting on bar height, but since both these posts seem to raise that issue...

VT Speed TR, judging by the picture, you appear to like your bars very high. I suspect that trekking bars are more likely to be acceptable for folks who like higher bars than for folks who like lower bars. That said either bar can work at whatever height.

Nigeyy, you mention installing drops too low.... I don't personally see the need for them to be high on a touring bike. Low bars are very comfortable as long as you are well acclimated to the position, have good form, and have good core strength. I believe that it requires that you have the form that puts most of the weight on your legs. If you do, it is a very comfortable way to go. If you manage to do it right, not much weight is on the saddle or the hands.

Riding my road bike is about as comfortable as it gets for me and the bars are 5" below the saddle the way my new bike was set up. That is about an inch lower than I was used to and I thought I was going to find it a bit much. I decided to give it a try before changing it. After the most comfortable century I have ever ridden I decided that I will drop the bars on my touring bike a bit more than the 3-4" below the saddle that they are currently at, but maybe not quite as low as the road bike. My point isn't to evangelize for lower bars for everyone, but merely to suggest that if you are comfortable with low bars on your road bike you might not want to assume that you will be happier with the bars way up high on your touring bike.

I did the TA with no days completely off from riding (one day was only 8 miles though) and never once felt any desire to raise the bars. I am convinced that for me at least low bars are the way to go. I had no saddle complaints and no hand, arm, back, or neck complaints in 73 consecutive days of touring.
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Old 12-12-08, 09:33 AM
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My litmus test is this, with your standard drop bars at a reasonable height, do you find yourself riding in the drops much? If yes, stay with road bars, if not, then consider the trekking bars. I have and like both.
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Old 12-12-08, 02:05 PM
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Riding on the hoods is the most comfortable position for me. Only thing that rivals it in my book are is a North Road swept back handlebar. Keeping your hands at a natural angle is the key
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Old 12-12-08, 05:35 PM
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I agree with trekking bars for converting a MTB for cheap, but going for drops otherwise.

My major gripe with my trekking bars is that my main hand position is on the sides of the bars (similar to being on the hoods). This place my hands away from the shifters/brakes.

Riding on the top and sliding forward to the hoods on a drop bar is much easier/faster/natural than riding on the sides of the trekking bars and sliding back when need be.

The trekking bars have a slight advantage in stop and go situations as I can sit up higher and have my hands on the brakes, but the drops win overall.
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Old 12-12-08, 06:04 PM
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I recently got a tour bike that has drops despite having 26" wheels and I am thinking about swapping to a butterfly/trekking bar. I haven't ridden a drop barred bike for years and just cannot get comfortable on it. The hoods should obviously be the default position but although having the wrists angled so the palms facing is good other aspects of the position are not so good. The angle of the bars means the wrist is angled back ie extended on the thumb side. The bars going down mean that you can't grab the bar properly and I find that all my weight either goes on the webbeing between thumb and fingers or the bar digs into the middle of the palm. Even on relatively short rides, 12-20 miles, I find it very uncomfortable and get numb hands.

I have also noticed that despite people on here and another touring forum I go to seeming to prefer drops most of the blogs I see of people doing long tours they are mostly riding mountain bikes with straight bars and bar ends.

The problem is that swapping to trekking bars will be a big job as it involves changing brakes, f.derailleur and levers. Although swapping to V brakes instead of cantis + drops is a big atrraction. If I could find a suitable mtb frame I may just swap bikes instead of going through the hassle of swapping the bars and bits on the one I have.
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Old 12-12-08, 06:31 PM
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I won't disagree, it's really up to the individual -but just my opinion is that most bikes are setup initially with the bars too low or too similar to a racing configuration (and I am certainly not racing when I tour.) Another point is the natural posture or physiological traits of a rider -for example I have a short neck (genetics, bah!) and bars set too low just aren't comfortable for me -and I take your point that certainly bars too high aren't a good idea either! It's down to the individual.

To the original poster: I think both drops and trekking bars can be very comfortable for touring, if you know you are comfortable in drops, use drops (though you will need a road front derailleur if you use STI). If you have problems with drops or want to try something different, go with trekking bars (though index shifting is best with mtb front derailleurs). Or if money is the driving issue, probably trekking bars will turn out cheaper.

I really don't think either solution is a bad one, and I've personally found neither one is clearly better than the other, it's really up to you and what suits you.

Originally Posted by staehpj1
Nigeyy, you mention installing drops too low.... I don't personally see the need for them to be high on a touring bike. Low bars are very comfortable as long as you are well acclimated to the position, have good form, and have good core strength. I believe that it requires that you have the form that puts most of the weight on your legs. If you do, it is a very comfortable way to go. If you manage to do it right, not much weight is on the saddle or the hands.
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Old 12-12-08, 07:12 PM
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Originally Posted by staehpj1
Obviously this is a personal preference thing. That said I tried trekking bars and found them lacking by comparison. If I had a MTB and wanted to convert it for touring I might use them to avoid having to change brake levers and shifters, but otherwise I wouldn't consider them. The hand positions while numerous didn't feel as natural or comfortable for me. This may just be because I am so acclimated to the drop bar positions and like all my bikes set up with a similar position.
+1

I also think that bars for touring should be at saddle height or above. But whatever keeps you comfortable over long distance, day after day.
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Old 12-14-08, 09:24 PM
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+1 Trekking bars are a great way to convert a MTB to touring. But if you already have drops, they are best.

92 Trek 950 (with Trekking bars)
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Old 12-16-08, 09:51 PM
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G'day

Thanks for all the comments. I am building a LHT from scratch, so all the options are there for me. Considering the comments, my own experience riding two flatbars (mtb and flat bar) and my roadie, I think I will go with the dropbars as this is the style I find more enjoyable to ride.

Regards
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Old 12-17-08, 07:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Nigeyy
I won't disagree, it's really up to the individual -but just my opinion is that most bikes are setup initially with the bars too low or too similar to a racing configuration (and I am certainly not racing when I tour.) Another point is the natural posture or physiological traits of a rider -for example I have a short neck (genetics, bah!) and bars set too low just aren't comfortable for me -and I take your point that certainly bars too high aren't a good idea either! It's down to the individual.
I think we have different preferences, but they are not really at odds. We both agree that it is a choice that is likely to be different for different folks.

I try to express my preference for lower bars on a touring bike only to counter the notion that often seems to equate bar height and comfort in a way where it is assumed that higher automatically equal more comfortable and lower automatically equal less comfortable.

My suggestion is for folks who are well acclimated to and comfortable on a road bike with low bars to approximate that position as a starting point and raise the bars a bit if it seems to make sense. For those who are not already acclimated and comfortable with low bars I suggest starting with the bars an inch or so below saddle height and raise them if they can't hack that position, but experiment with gradually lowering them as they become conditioned.

Originally Posted by bailout
I have also noticed that despite people on here and another touring forum I go to seeming to prefer drops most of the blogs I see of people doing long tours they are mostly riding mountain bikes with straight bars and bar ends.
Interesting, but that has not been my observation. Maybe it depends on your definition of "long tours". I could see it more if you are talking about touring in places with poor or no roads, like rural Central and South America or Asia. I definitely do not find it to be the case in the US with the exception of the folks doing stuff like the Great Divide (mostly offroad). On the one ride where we met a lot of tourists (the TransAmerica) the large majority were on bikes equipped with drop bars. When I randomly sampled the CGOAB site by using the serendipity function to pick random photos again there was a clear majority of drop bars. The majority was even larger if you didn't count those on MTB's who were doing some substantial portion of their trip off road.

I am told that in Europe flat bars are the standard for touring, but strangely the Europeans I met in the US all had drop bars. Maybe that was a case of "when in Rome".
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Old 12-17-08, 03:47 PM
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Hello

Staehpj comments reminded me of the "data" I collected on a holiday in New Zealand in December/January 2008. Here is an edit the posting made at on my return in the Bicycle Network Australia forums:

I have just returned from a month in New Zealand (no, not a cycle or walking holiday) touring mainly around the South Island but also with some family visiting in the North. During the visit I recorded all my sightings of cycle tourists. All up I saw 83 tourers during my visit. What is interesting I think is the statistics (breakdown) listed below:

Total tourers (loaded with panniers or pulling a trailer) sighted: 83

That total broken down:

38 (46% of sightings) were flat bar bicycles (this number is a bit rubbery because (a) a lot of sightings where drive by and (b) by the time I noted some bikes with trekking bars and hence I tried to take a more careful look, I couldn't go back and verify the number. What I did notice however was a lot of flatbars with bar ends.

15 (18%) where drop bar bicycles.

12 (14%) couldn't be determined (noted before taking more specific details).

6 (7%) where trekking bar fitted bicycles

3 (4%) where tandems.

3 (4%) where recumbents

Only seven (8%) of the 81 tourers seen where pulling trailers. Of those seven seen, five where BOB trailers, one a Buxley and one a child trailer. One BOB seen was being pulled by a tandem. That was one long rig. One was being pulled behind a mountain bike. Got to speak to this guy which was interesting given this is the setup I am getting.

Other Observations:

Saw the most tourers in one day (14) on the route between Twizel (Mt Cooke) and Dunedin.

Between Te Anau (small town near Queenstown) and Manapouri (small village) saw 10+ tandems (not touring) out on the road.

Two recumbents were tandems. That is a child was sitting up front. Quite a sight.

The local papers I saw had a lot of press on cycling. Mainly sport related (road and mountain biking).

Rotorua had about five bike shops (small city) including one which was a repair only shop.

In Rotorua there was a advert in local paper promoting MTB fitness programs. That is loose weight by riding MTB organised program.
The impression I got was the tourists where likely to be American or Europeans rather than kiwi.

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Old 12-18-08, 09:07 PM
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I use trekking bars. I never really liked the drop position and IMO, there is not a lot of difference if you don't use the drop position with the drop bars. If you are mostly going to ride on top and on the hoods, the trekking bars are as good or better.
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Old 12-18-08, 09:13 PM
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I much prefer the drops. Most of my touring is in Baja California, and there I frequently encounter 2 to 3 hour stretches of headwinds. If I didn't have the drops, I think I'd be standing still.

If the drops are uncomfortable for you, do some stretching exercises to increase your flexibility.
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Old 12-18-08, 09:31 PM
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I started with drops, tried flat, tried trekking, and went back to drops. I rarely ever get down in the drop position. I prefer my hands either on the flat part or on the hoods. I also prefer wide bars. 48cm Nitto Noodle on my Thorn and 46cm Noodle on my Cross Check.
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Old 12-18-08, 09:59 PM
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Originally Posted by El Pelon
I much prefer the drops. Most of my touring is in Baja California, and there I frequently encounter 2 to 3 hour stretches of headwinds. If I didn't have the drops, I think I'd be standing still.
I believe that the outer hold positions on the trekking bars equate to being on the drops. Would this be a fair comment? That is give enough aerodynamics to match riding on the drops?

If the drops are uncomfortable for you, do some stretching exercises to increase your flexibility.
My problem is the spare tyre ....

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Old 12-18-08, 10:53 PM
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Riding in the drops is more aerodynamic than on the the far side of the trekking bars since you are getting even lower but for extended periods of time, I find the drops less comfortable and comfort is where it's at for me while touring.
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Old 12-19-08, 08:08 AM
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An interesting (to me) by-the-by; my hand height on the drops of my Tourlite is the same as my hand height on the top of the bars on my road bike. The Tourlite was built to be a more comfortable bike to ride all day—day after day. And it is. Which kind 'a tells me everything is relative. It all depends on where you start out at, set-up wise. The drops are great in a headwind and/or when you need to make time. They can also be much more comfy as an alternative riding position when you've been sitting upright for a period of time. Changes everything. I feel (and am) much more powerful and efficient.
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