Drops or Bullhorns?
#1
Thread Starter
LBS Employee/Commuter
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Madison Heights, MI
Bikes: 2007 Trek Soho, 2010 Gary Fisher Monona w/ Xtracycle FreeRadical, 198X Facet BioTour 2000
Drops or Bullhorns?
Cost aside, what is a better way to go for commuting?
Currently I'm riding a large sweep bar (Bontrager Sattelite Elite, stock '07 Trek Soho handlebar). It has a ton of real estate, but I don't really use it much (computer and light only). I'm running single speed, so shifters aren't of concern.
I'm debating between:
Easton EA70 Road Bar: https://www.eastonbike.com/PRODUCTS/B...0_'09.html
Easton DeltaForce AL Bullhorn: https://www.eastonbike.com/PRODUCTS/B...l_'09.html
My biggest concern is mounting a light on the bullhorn. But we have some single speed road brakes at work that I could put on a road bar. I'm just so up in the air on if having drops would be more comfortable than the extra stretch of a bullhorn.
Thoughts?
Currently I'm riding a large sweep bar (Bontrager Sattelite Elite, stock '07 Trek Soho handlebar). It has a ton of real estate, but I don't really use it much (computer and light only). I'm running single speed, so shifters aren't of concern.
I'm debating between:
Easton EA70 Road Bar: https://www.eastonbike.com/PRODUCTS/B...0_'09.html
Easton DeltaForce AL Bullhorn: https://www.eastonbike.com/PRODUCTS/B...l_'09.html
My biggest concern is mounting a light on the bullhorn. But we have some single speed road brakes at work that I could put on a road bar. I'm just so up in the air on if having drops would be more comfortable than the extra stretch of a bullhorn.
Thoughts?
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,373
Likes: 8
From: Columbus, OH
Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc
Drops give you more hand positions than 'horns. If your commute is short and you don't plan on long rides where you would appreciate more than 2 hand positions ('horns or flats), then go with the 'horns.
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,977
Likes: 1
From: 52°57'N 6°21'E
Bikes: Giant OCR
If you want it to be comfortable, go with the drops. You'll have a few extra hand positions.
If you want it to look sexy, go with the bullhorns. It adds a certain style and sleekness to a bike that a dropbar never can.
Besides, you chose a bullhorn that had a wing-shape, which makes it quite ergonomical. On the other side, you chose a dropbar that does not have a wing-shape. Wouldn't it be more sensible to choose a wing-shaped dropbar like the EA30?
If you want it to look sexy, go with the bullhorns. It adds a certain style and sleekness to a bike that a dropbar never can.
Besides, you chose a bullhorn that had a wing-shape, which makes it quite ergonomical. On the other side, you chose a dropbar that does not have a wing-shape. Wouldn't it be more sensible to choose a wing-shaped dropbar like the EA30?
#4
ride for a change
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis, MN
Bikes: Surly Cross-check & Moonlander, Pivot Mach 429, Ted Wojcik Sof-Trac, Ridley Orion. Santa Cruz Stigmata
I think bullhorns are limiting in the hand positions, (although addmitedly they do look good) I prefer drops they give you the same basic positions as bullhorns plus a couple more. Having the drops is nice in the inevtiable headwinds.
My recommendation: FSA wing pro compact. (44cm c-c for me) I love the flat wing shape tops and these have shallow drops, which I was skeptical about, but turned out to be amazingly comfy. I can stay in the drops all day if I want. And I'm a big, aging, not as felxible as I used to be guy . So far these are my favorite bars ever. I'm thinking about putting them on my road bike. But they are 31.8 only
My recommendation: FSA wing pro compact. (44cm c-c for me) I love the flat wing shape tops and these have shallow drops, which I was skeptical about, but turned out to be amazingly comfy. I can stay in the drops all day if I want. And I'm a big, aging, not as felxible as I used to be guy . So far these are my favorite bars ever. I'm thinking about putting them on my road bike. But they are 31.8 only
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 825
Likes: 3
personally i love seeing a fixie with bull horns, but i love riding on the hoods and in drops with a strong head wind. i have a short 3 sometimes 6mile commute, one way. but 15mph headwinds and winter winds really slow me down. its nice to be in drops, even if its only for a few blocks.
#7
I'd go bullhorn. I rarely ride in the drops and on my commute, I never do. 90% of my time is spent on the hoods, about the same position as bullhorns. Because of small hands, braking is better using bullhorns. With drop bars, I can't get good enough leverage from the hoods. Fine for slowing down or gently stopping but if I need to stop quickly, I must be in the drops. With bullhorns, The brake lever runs almost parallel and I can easily come to a quick stop.
#9
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
If you only ride the hoods and not the drops, you might prefer the bullhorns. If you get true bullhorns (like you're looking at) and not the cheesy flop-n-chop bars, they can get you nice and aero.




