Originally Posted by
DnvrFox
Please explain the advantage of a straight bar over a drop bar at the same height. Somehow, I just don't get it??
A straight bar removes hand positions, and if the drop bar is the same height - well, I just can't figure it out.
No advice from me to the OP, as I have no idea how one adjusts to using drop bars.
But to the Fox I would say that there is no way you can get any portion of a drop bar to my favorite hand position. Wide hand position, wrist bent at about 15-20 degrees, thick ergo grips, hands roughly even with the stem front to back, about 3" above the headset.
For example, consider a North Road bar, hard to get a drop bar into a similar configuration.
I use long, L-shaped bar ends to provide two alternate hand positions. Can ride for hours.
I not only find the drops highly uncomfortable, I find the hoods uncomfortable too, those things kill my thumbs.
Not that I'm arguing for "flat" or "riser" or whatever bars over drops. I know drops work great for many people and I understand the reasoning behind the design. But they are not the solution for all people. In fact, only about 10% of all bikes have drop bars. When I ride rail trails, I rarely see people riding bikes with drop bars.