Originally Posted by
waddo
Our planned purchase of a second hand CC for my wife fell through due to some weird gear shifting problem. New one is too expensive, so I am looking at the flat bar version. In Japan even that is US $1,400!
First she would prefer flat bars as thats what she rides now. Second, one chain ring (?) up front is better because she never shifts to the harder one any way.
So I am wondering if there would be any problem changing the chain ring from stock 42t to 34t which would match what she has now.
Also, I wonder how it rides with flat bars.
My wife splits her time between a modern Jamis road bike with drop bars, and a vintage Peugeot which has been modified with Velo Orange Postino handlebar, and 1 x 9 gearing. I set the Peugeot up this way with the idea that it would be a change of pace bike from the standard road bike with drops but to my surprised, she has no problem riding the bike with modified flat bars on rides of 30 miles or longer.
I would suggest if you go with flat bars, you go with one with a bend like the Postino or Velo Orange Porteur, (or many others) as they put the wrists in a natural position.