Originally Posted by
RollCNY
I have a frame that was initially flat bar, and is now set up with drops and STI's. When it was flat bar, I ran a 130mm stem flipped down to to -6°, and had Ergon GX-2 bar ends. The bar was straight in one plane, 3° rise in the other. I probably rode 80% bar ends, 20% grips.
With drops, I run a 115mm stem, +6°, and compact bars. The hoods are higher than my flat bar, the drops lower. I probably ride 60% hoods, 30% drops, 5% top corners, 5% tops.
I would not declare one set up as clearly more comfortable than the other. For a century, either was fine. I did a two day, 250 mile ride on the flat bar, and I was beat up afterward, showing up in my hands and lower back. I have done a 250 mile two day trip on drop bars, but that was a whole different bike (steel SS) and had no issues with anything. That I attribute more to the frame (steel vs aluminum) and tires (25s vs 23s) than I do to bar style.
It could be that I immediately swapped out the compact drops for larger ones, before I took delivery. I think it's reach more than rise that's causing the pain(s)
Lower back, neck, hand numbness, elbows. I get less of all of them on my flat bar bike, save elbow pain. Of that, I get none.
Current set up. 90mm stem w/17 deg rise. 44cm wide bars, non compact.
When I roll the handlebars back to a ridiculous angle, it helps. But I can't reach the brakes from the drops like this.