Change in focus.
 

I haven't been riding much these days, my last ride was on a vintage drop bar road bike and I wasn't at all comfortable on the bike. I don't mean physically, I was actually nervous on the bike. Especially mounting and dismounting which I initially attributed to test ride jitters but now I'm not so sure. I've given that a lot of thought and it may be time to make some changes toward wider tires, lower stand over height and other adaptations to getting old. I'll be 69 in a few weeks. No permanent decisions have been made, yet, but I may be divesting myself of more vintage drop bar bikes than I had envisioned just a few months ago, which realistically, I need to do anyway.

*Grant Peterson rubs his hands…*

Seriously though, nothing like a touring bike with some nice wide tires and upright mustache bars. Just comfortable, and if you’re like me and not in a hurry when you ride, a great way to kick back and enjoy the scenery.

After a house collapsed on me during a house fire I have back issues when riding race bikes. I can’t handle the low aero position anymore. It’s really nice having a more upright position, I enjoy it a lot more than I imagined. I use to treat every ride as a training ride for a race that I was never going to do. I now just go out and enjoy a long slow ride.

Mountain bike bars might be a good compromise. Also consider modern top-mounted brake cable housing interrupters (not to be confused with the old drop bar "[un]safety levers," which would enable you to treat the bar tops as your primary hand position.

I am with you 100% on the desire for wider tires (and lower gears :) ). This is why I love the old classic racing and touring frames, with their generous tire clearances. When I was a UCLA grad student working at a bike shop, it was all about narrow, low-profile tires, down as low as 700Cx19. Now I want at least 700Cx28 (actual width, irrespective of what is stamped on the sidewall), preferably 700Cx32 or 35. My only bike that requires 26mm (actual width) or narrow tires is the Bianchi, which is still a blast to ride, but which I tend to ride less often these days. The other change I am making on a couple of the road bikes is from downtube shift to barcons, for improved stability during gear changes. I put a pair of SunTour ratchet barcons on the Peugeot years ago, and I am delighted with them. Two others pairs are going on my the Carlton and the repainted Capo Sieger. (Its original-patina, mostly original-component Sieger littermate will probably keep its original Campag. downtube levers for now.)

I like a good set of north road bars, or something similar. Some of the older road bike frames with more laid back angles and longer chain stays convert nicely to flat or upright bars. I have three former "road" type bikes converted to north road or upright bars. They're all pretty comfortable. Some of the bars Nitto is making today would accomplish that kind of task pretty well. If your ergonomic preferences have changed, it's natural the bike would change with you.

I'm in my mid-40s but have been finding myself less confident and comfortable on aggressive racing bikes than I used to be. I'm still using drop bars on my most of my bikes but preferring a more upright position that my gravel bike has, and finally made the NITTO Technomic plunge to get the bars up to a similar level on my randonneur bike. It's hard to let go of my love of hot-**** racing bikes but I want to stay true to my riding style and what makes me happy on the bike.

Other than being a few years older I’m in complete accord with this and always have been. Upright bikes are easy to hop on and ride and don’t command contortions that seem counter intuitive to enjoyment but I’ve never been a racer.

I have a racey frame that I’ve futzed with but I’ve decided it’s not my mojo and will soon be leaving the collection.

I'll just mention tall Nitto Technomic stems, and stem shifters or bar-cons, to make one of your drop-bar bikes into a more comfortable ride for you. I've learned to ride my old diamond-framed classic racing bike (restored, with geezer mods) with my hip replacements, but step-through frames are better for me these days. You may be able to make your drop-bar bikes comfortable again. Some time in the saddle should take care of your nervousness. I'm fine myself with a similar change in focus. Ride on!

Contrary to the rest of you I still feel best on drop bar bikes. I prefer a shorter stem these days tho.

I'm about to start physical therapy because I've become so stiff. I plan to learn stretching exercises that I will continue for life. I never really do any with any consistency. Some loss of range of motion is inevitable, but I want to see if I can restore a bit of it. As it is now, it's getting hard for me to swing my leg over the bike, and sometimes when I do it, I get close to losing my balance. (I'm 63 years old.) I'd rather not switch to step-through bikes. When I ride an upright bike, I do not like it. I want to learn how low my handlebars will be at the ideal level for me. I want to lean forward, but I need to determine how much. And reach is another thing. When I feel too upright, I don't know if my bars should be lower or farther ahead. I wish changing bars and stem were easier.

After physical therapy, I'll see a fit expert.

If you are not doing new builds on the classic bikes you own, try changing the cockpit. Pull the old drop bar cockpit and build up a nice riser bar setup. if it works, keep th ebike, if it does not, sell it or store it.
Most of my bikes now are finished or have gone through a refresh build since I returned from Cambodia this past March.
Of the eleven bikes I have, there are 3 drop bar bikes. 2 that were here in the States and have not gone through a refresh build and one that came back with me from Cambodia.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9a4b753158.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...49bd03da55.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1a90265fc9.jpg
They will probably stay the same but all my other bikes are much more upright bars.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bb6ac16e4c.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bbadfddce4.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...906711ae74.jpg

We have several PT's here in PDX that are both as they go hand in hand.

I would seek one out as your goal is exactly that focus.

Upright bars are a final option. :twitchy:

My new Strawberry was built with all this in mind. ;)

Not sure if budget allows but consider a custom. you can get a slightly sloping top tube with out going full step through...... I did that with my Kirk, it is subtle.

In the back of my mind is if I can't get to where I can throw a leg over, a high mixte (hard to find ) or custom would be a the next step

another option, would be a modern carbon bike as many of those seem to have pretty sloping top tubes, anathema to C&V but if it keeps you riding

While I'm not at the point of the OP's worries that is one of the reason I bought the Azor Dutch bike and got it as a step through version. Upright position, so easy to mount, very stable and hardly any noticeable impact on performance when loaded with heavy stuff. I figure when I can't ride my other bikes I should be able to manage this one.

Case in point Saturday. My son has my Cherokee right now and I use that with a receiver mounted platform to get gas for my mowers and such. So I threw the 5 gallon gas can in the front basket on my Azor and went to get gas. One the way back I've got over 30 lbs now on the front rack and didn't notice a thing. I guess isolating the front rack from the front wheel really does work well.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...481f47adb4.jpg

My focus-changers:

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c8835c91a3.jpg
Fredo

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...dc88594eb9.jpg
Blue Bella

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...78f5c6eb8c.jpg
Clem Smith Jr.

I completely get what the OP is saying. I am 75 and I cannot ride drop bars any longer. I can ride flat bars, north roads (upright and flipped), and a couple of other styles that are similar. This is due to two issues 1) balance and 2) neck and back. Ride what is comfortable and safe.

Thanks for all the comments to me. I am considering them.

I've learned that it helps a lot to work on balance as we age. Fortunately for me, I already had good balance, and it seems to have improved. I have heard that stability is often a welcome side effect of stiffness. I can stand on one foot on a wobbly ladder. I can put a sock on while standing on one foot. So now that I know all of this, I make it a point to do balancing exercises. Putting on socks this way is one. You can also tie your shoes this way. I have been climbing stairs two at a time for most of my life. In recent years, I added to the challenge, and I do it on the balls of my feet with the rest of my feet hanging back. I can tell that one day, I will need to give that up because the danger of a fall will increase. I'll do it as long as I can.

There is this thread: First New Bike in Decades where Doohickie deliberates about buying his first modern bike. You may find it interesting. He bought a bike, and he's happy with it.

final?
There are more extreme solutions to discomfort issues...

https://live.staticflickr.com/4116/4...168ed3_c_d.jpg

although the current equivalent seems to be the recumbent trikes.

I was on 'bents exclusively for about seven years due to some neck issues. Physical therapy did eventually resolve the problem and let me get back on my old bikes.
Doing the usual core exercises made a big difference, and do no harm. Stretches help too, and there were specific stretches for my neck issues.

I will say that a recumbent bike is not the easiest thing to learn to ride, so I can understand that a lot of older folks do like the 'bent trikes when there are issues with balance.

Steve in Peoria

Lots of good suggestions here and on the 50+ forum. Mid 70s now and I find I have to rest my leg on the saddle for a second or two to then get it over. Adaptations I have made for age and osteoarthritis are the top of the handlebars are now level with my saddle (I used to have a nice 2 inch drop) and handlebar max drop of 120mm not the typical vintage 130+, thick gel insoles cut to fit under the bar tape, the gearing has become more generous, shorter cranks, tires a bit fatter (28/32c), a shorter stem, and the saddle nose 1º or 2º higher than level. On bad days I have to scooted my leg on the ground out to drop the bike off vertical to get my leg over the saddle.

It's not a riding position issue so much as how the bikes handle, some of them are what I call "twitchy" and maybe my reflexes aren't up to racier frame geometry and 23mm tires any more.

Sounds like we are of like mind, I'm a fan of interrupter levers, I have them on my Diamondback Interval and my GT Karakoram drop bar conversion. Pretty much anything that can't take 28's or wider will go unless it's really special and I'll be giving higher priority to my MTB's. The weather is supposed to cool off the next week or so and I'll get as many out that are actually functional and see how I feel on them. Still a very weak market around here though so those I'll be letting go will have to go in mothbalss until things improve..... IF they ever do.

One of my issues is getting my leg over the saddle as I'm tall and ride tall framed bikes, plus after my knee replacements I don't move quite like I did prior and I've caught my leg on the saddle a couple times mounting and dismounting. I'm building a couple modern MTB's and I'm going to experiment with dropper posts to give me more clearance when getting on and off the bikes. Obviously I can't do that on the vintage road bikes but it could be a solution for my everyday rides.

Murray Missile Sounds like you need to find a nice tall 531 frame mixte..
:)

whatever works to keep you riding is the rule :giver: (I am 68 and considering options for the long term even though i am still throwing the leg over with no problem....knock on wood or 531)

I noted some of my thoughts for me in reply earlier, but let me add/repeat

some options i have thought about are Mixte (hard to find, especially in quality and larger sizes), Custom (can be no more that a nice production frame if it is less known builder), even going carbon as many current frames have pretty sloping tubes as they try to fit every one with small, medium, large


one production option could be a frame like the Soma Buena vista steel, fits the C&V and drop bar


https://www.somafab.com/archives/product/buena-vista

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...30a2e6a35d.jpg

If you move away from drops something like the Rivendell Platypus might work
https://www.rivbike.com/products/frame-platypus-2023

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...81f9b362c8.png
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4473b2db6d.png

Thanks for all the responses, there IS one "drop bar" bike that I am still totally comfortable with and will definitely be keeping and riding...... and it has the aforementioned interrupter levers. ;)

(I never get tired of posting pics of this one LOL.......) It ain't the prettiest belle at the ball but it's rock solid and handles like a dream.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4b756e8470.jpg

My '85 Schwinn Voyageur is probably safe as well but I need to get some decent tires on it.

:lol: Well, I DO have this... great for short runs to the store or post office but that's about it.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...88b849e69c.jpg

I can get 700x38c paselas on my 85 with fenders