I would think the tires would be more important that the handlebars with snow. But ride what you feel comfortable on.

This does not apply in all areas. You could install windmills at street level in San Francisco.

Tires are important but so is leverage...I get a much better leverage with riser bars or flat bars with
bar ends then I do with drop bars. I ride SS/FG so leverage is very important to me when going uphill or slogging through heavy snow and slush. During heavy snowfall I spend a lot of time standing on the pedals trying to get through. Handle bars with as much leverage as possible makes my riding a lot easier.

I like both kinds of bars. I like drop bars for long rides. I like being semi-upright bars for short in-town trips, because it's easier to look around. I have a Bianchi Volpe that I use for commuting and errands, and it was tempted to put upright bars on it. But (1) I would lose the STI levers (aka brifters) and (2) the bike fits me so well that I shouldn't fix what ain't broken.

Funny, it isn't until I reach downtown that I experience heavy winds. Tall buildings close together can cause a wind tunnel effect.

New York, being a harbor city, is very windy. I'm still impressed with how windy it is, because I moved back here a little over a year ago. I was only a few miles inland in New Jersey, but the difference is noticeable.

I ride a lot on the waterfront, and it's windy. On the streets, the wind tunnel effect is also strong. Come to an intersection, and you can get blasted by wind coming down the cross street.

Op; you could get a wide set of drop bars, and with a nice set of hooded brakes and an additional set of 'interrupter levers' you would have all the benefits of a flat bar/bullhorn bar with the additional benefit of drops.

If that be true then bike manufactures should start putting drop bars 2-3 inches below the saddle on all city bikes and commuter bikes because speed and aerodynamics is the No.1 priority when navigating through heavily congested downtown areas.

BTW I am in the suburbs where it's more open and windy and I don't have a problem commuting 18 miles round trip everyday with my flat bars or riser bars.

What a terrible idea. I don't agree at all. That seems like a knee jerk reaction, IMO, but if that's what you feel is best.

All I'm saying is it gets windy around tall buildings, which is true.

My commuter has the original flat bars. I added bar ends which do not add to the width. This configuration gives me more than three hand positions. The bar is below the seat about the same as my "race" bikes so it is equivalent to my hands on the tops of the drops with the advantage of the brake levers being right there. They work well for me and the wind issues is what it is and I adjust. I see all my commutes as "training" rides. Once I get on one of my other bikes, the speed goes way up and it is exhilarating!

Pic does not reflect the most recent configuration. It now sports Brooks Pro and suspension front fork.
[IMG]Commuter RockHopper by superissimo_83, on Flickr[/IMG]

Christ people will argue anything around here.



Yes, there is a pronounced wind tunnel effect around tall buildings in urban areas. Some people like having drops to duck out of the wind. That doesn't mean bike companies need to put drops on everything. What a ridiculous sentiment.

My commuting bike and backup both have drop bars. It's more comfortable, for me the position is also better for speed and power. I don't have any trouble looking around or watching ahead - I just don't get that criticism of drop bars.

Yet on my backup which is set up more relaxed, I mostly rode on the hoods so on a whim I cut the hooks off a couple of weeks ago. Don't really need them, why have them, so I just cut them off. Leaving enough for the brake levers and just a little curve.

so have you talked yourself into getting another bike set up for the winter yet?

A disc or drum brake bike with hand warming Pogies would be where I'd go.. and they are suited to Straight bars better.

add Finnish made Studded tires for the Ice.

the answer is N+1 ..

I have a spare bike I grab when the roads Ice over, and it's episodic not seasonal , here.

To answer the question: I commute on all my bikes from time to time. 3 of the 4 have drops, which I prefer. The other is an old MTB with flat bars and bar ends. Even with the bar ends, I find it to be much less comfortable for my hands.

My favorite bike to commute on is the one in my avatar picture, my SSCX. For commuting I swap wheelsets from knobby and freewheel to slick and fixed.

Handlebars are a huge personal preference.

I don't see a safety issue with any type. I have bikes with drop bars and swept back bars.

mtbers, skills riders, and many messengers prefer flat bars not out of style but out of function (leverage, twitchiness, wideness for mtbers, and narrowness for messengers). i would also add that riding on the hoods is not particularly aero and multiple hand positions only matter for riders that experience hand numbness. when i commute on drops i always miss the leverage and less spread out default position that helps me thread traffic. for training and longer rides i prefer drops.

Wrong. Not getting run over is the #1 priority.

Probably a response to this nonsense:

I commute on drops. I've noticed that I seem to spend most of the ride on the hoods or the ramps, though. I think I'll give moustache bars a try for that reason.

I like drops for commuting, unless it's under 3 miles, then flat bars are fine.

When it comes time for rain and snow, I go with drop bar MTB. Drops only put my head about an inch lower the way I set it up. I actually almost find it easier to glance behind me while in the drops, just glance under my armpit. My Mongoose's hoods put my hands about 1" lower than flat bars, 2" lower than mild risers. Reach to the tops of the road bars is less than reach to flat bar in race mode, as I run a 2cm shorter stem for road bar setup.

I ride on my hoods mostly, and some time in the drops, rarely ride the tops of my road bars.

Here's the 'goose set up for racing STXC and CX. Gonna retire these risers for flat bar this winter.



Here she is in more of a commuter config. Ride a lot of gravel roads with this setup.

This thread is entertaining.

I currently have swept bars but am seriously thinking about switching to drops. Headwinds stink when you're upright. One hand position stinks when riding gravel trails.

It seems that riding on the flats can be just as upright as riding on flat bars. Why not give yourself options?

It works great with the hoods providing a more ergonomic position than flat bars with instant access to the brakes which you don't have riding on mountain bike bar ends.

You're still higher than car roofs, but shorter than big SUVs just like you'd be on a more upright bike (although flat bars don't necessarily imply a more upright position).

For wet weather you want fenders. For ice you want studded tires. Both issues are orthogonal to handlebar shape.

Nice bike. What is it?

This is the most radical thing I've ever heard on BF. It deserves a smiley: