GMM

Measured from Saddle top to H-Bar top

0"
1"
2"
2.5"
3" etc.

aggiegrads

I'll make it unanimous.

skilsaw

I like riding in a pretty upright relaxed position.
I'm happy with no drop.

Old Hammer Boy

I also don't like much drop on my touring bike or tandem. I have treking bars on my LHT for all the hand positions they offer and really like 'em. For my "go-fast" bike, 2" is about right.

rothenfield1

My usual bike world revolves around the C&V Forum oldie steel stuff which primarily deals with old road race bikes, but I like the touring forum because I like camping. I'm surprised by this thread because I normally associate modern touring bike with handlebar 'rise' not drop. Unless I misunderstood, I like about a 1" drop between saddle and top of bars or level on my road bikes. On the old steel touring bikes that I've owned, I had the bars level with the saddle. If I had a modern loaded touring bike, I think I would want at least an inch or more above saddle height.

Enthusiast

3" drop. I am most comfortable in an "aggressive" position.

fietsbob

My drop handle bar is at such a height that It's top bar is level with the saddle.
My Trekking bars are higher than my saddle... NB I'm not young any more,

SBRDude

3.5" on my road bike, and 1.75" on my cross bike (which is for cc touring).

escii_35

0 for road touring.

1 for off road touring

2 for go fast sexy bike

djb

on my cross bike (which I ride on the road) about 2.25-2 inches*

*I am 5'10 1/2 and ride a 54cm frame with a toptube of 54.5cm. I find this may be "small" for my height, but for my body shape I am very, very comfortable on this. Can do a day out on the road of 100km and my arms, neck and wrists are quite good. Used to ride a longer top tube touring bike that was maybe fine for me on paper, and had the bars pretty much level with the seat, but this cross bike frame fits me better being a bit shorter so the lower bar position works very very well, better than on my touring bike that I did all my trips on. Even though I am 15 years older than when I did my last long trip and so am probably less flexible, my touring frame was always a bit too long, but I lived with it.

all that to say that bar drop is not the entire story, so keep all the factors in mind when reading of diff peoples bar to seat drop. General fitness, especially core strength will make a big difference as well.

kaliayev

Anywhere from 1" to 3.5" depending on the bike.

seat_boy

I have the bars about 3" above the saddle on my Fargo. Not racy, but very, very comfortable. Plus, I can spend significant time in the drops without discomfort.

staehpj1

Since my road bike is supremely comfortable on long rides, I just duplicated that position as well as possible so, 4-5" below saddle for me. This worked out well on the Trans America and subsequent longish tours. While it may not be the case at first for newish or low mileage riders, I think once you are acclimated to it, an aggressive posture is the most comfortable if spending long hours in the saddle.

I find sitting upright with all my weight on my butt and road shock going up my spine decidedly uncomfortable. I find that with a good bit of drop most of my weight is carried by my legs, so I achieve good hand and seat comfort.

djb

staehp, I am becoming more and more intrigued by this and shall experiment with it. Of course there are personal flexibility issues (I fell off motorcycles a few times and have a bit of a kink at times), bike fit, as well as seat or saddle constraints too--but as my bike's stem is at the top of the spacers as well as the highest "angle thingee adjustment shim things" I have leeway to try this out gradually this upcoming season. Im on a trainer only now so it will wait till the summer after I get riding a while and get things back into shape.

staehpj1

I think that easing into it gradually is key. Never go lower than is comfortable, but as you have more time in the saddle ease lower a little at a time.

Another thing is, be sure that you have a relaxed upper body, elbows bent, fingers draped loosely over the bars, and shoulders not hunched.

djb

thanks for the info.
Especially in the fall when I was in stronger shape, I definately felt that I could go lower, but just never got around to trying it. As you say, with all bike adjustments, gradually is the key isnt it and to listen to ones body. I am confident with how this bike fits me well, ie that my upper body and arms are nice and relaxed, that at least I am at a good point to try things.
cheers