Originally Posted by
boomer58
Hello everyone, I joined this forum recently and I am enjoying reading through the threads posted on here. I returned to riding this past year and I'm really getting hooked again. I purchased a Specialized Allez and it seems to be a good bike for my abilities. I try to do 22 - 26 miles every other day on flat trails. My goal is to do the Tour de Cure 63 mile ride in March here in Florida. As a type 1 diabetic, it's something I have wanted to do for many years but never seemed to be able to. Anyways my question is my current bike has the standard curved handle bars and I have been dealing with Rheumatoid Arthritis among other hand issues and I'm wondering if switching to a road bike that has flat or straight handle bars would relieve some of the pain I am experiencing. I haven't looked at any bikes yet but just wondering if any of you have gone that route and what kind of bike did you get ? I also have a Specialized Crossroads that I really like but I find it to be a little heavy and I only use it riding around town when I just want an easy mindless cruise through the city. Your thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated, boomer.
drop bars provide the maximum flexiblity on hand positions so you can change them up (flat bar like with hand one the bars, on the curve at the end, on the brake hoods and in the drops
drop bars also let you get lower if needed when you have a head wind and are more efficient for long distances
Do you have good gel gloves?
also check your bike fit, that can make a big difference
for me personally flat bars cause me a lot of wrist pain so don't use