commuting with drop down handle bars**********
09-15-14 | 03:07 PM
#51
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Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Toronto
Bikes: Salsa Vaya
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 seems that riding on the flats can be just as upright as riding on flat bars. Why not give yourself options?
09-15-14 | 03:11 PM
#52
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,977
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From: Washington, DC
Handlebar choice does make a difference, whereas something like frame paint color is truly inconsequential. Saying you can do whatever you want doesn't really add much to the discussion. So how is that radical?
09-15-14 | 03:33 PM
#53
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 8,101
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From: Minneapolis
All that I will really add to the discussion is that I've used some drop bars that I had difficulty adjusting so that I would be comfortable both in the drops and on the hoods, - so it might take some experimenting to find the right set.
Last edited by tjspiel; 09-15-14 at 03:38 PM.
09-15-14 | 04:16 PM
#54
commuter and barbarian
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,494
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From: Potomac, MT, USA
I like drop bars when commuting in the warmer weather when I tend to ride farther and the capability of varied hand positions is preferred.
I like straight bars when commuting in the cold of winter when I tend to ride shorter, with bar mitts, and the hand warmth is preferred.
"To every thing there is a season..."
I like straight bars when commuting in the cold of winter when I tend to ride shorter, with bar mitts, and the hand warmth is preferred.
"To every thing there is a season..."
09-15-14 | 04:22 PM
#57
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Wrong. Not getting run over is the #1 priority.
09-15-14 | 04:24 PM
#58
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Washington, DC
I will say this...risers bars with bar ends (Cane Creek bar ends, in particular) are my preference for my commuting style and route, which is 15 miles each way on 95% MUPs, paved and unpaved.
I have lots of short hills and like climbing out of the saddle and lots of sharp turns. A wide riser bar gives more leverage for such climbing. I like trigger shifters. I like hydraulic disc brakes, which until recently, were not readily available for drop bars. I have more hand positions with my setup than with drop bars. I can get as aero as 95% of the drop bar bikes out there. My bars are wider, which is comfortable, but not particularly aero. I can ride fairly upright for better visibility.
If my route was on long stretches of roads with consistent headwinds and not much going on around me, I'd probably opt for dropbars.
I have lots of short hills and like climbing out of the saddle and lots of sharp turns. A wide riser bar gives more leverage for such climbing. I like trigger shifters. I like hydraulic disc brakes, which until recently, were not readily available for drop bars. I have more hand positions with my setup than with drop bars. I can get as aero as 95% of the drop bar bikes out there. My bars are wider, which is comfortable, but not particularly aero. I can ride fairly upright for better visibility.
If my route was on long stretches of roads with consistent headwinds and not much going on around me, I'd probably opt for dropbars.
09-15-14 | 04:30 PM
#59
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Joined: Aug 2011
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From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
I like commuting on drop bars (don't call them "drop down bars", it sounds ignorant) because I like the variety of hand positions. I can't think of a time when I didn't have enough leverage with them.
09-15-14 | 04:41 PM
#61
Aspiring curmudgeon
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,486
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From: Saint Louis
Bikes: Guerciotti, Serotta, Gaulzetti
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.
Last edited by icepick_trotsky; 09-15-14 at 04:45 PM.
09-15-14 | 04:47 PM
#62
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From: Washington, DC
09-15-14 | 06:00 PM
#63
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From: Kent Wa.
Bikes: 2005 Gazelle Golfo, 1935 Raleigh Sport, 1970 Robin Hood sport, 1974 Schwinn Continental, 1984 Ross MTB/porteur, 2013 Flying Piegon path racer, 2014 Gazelle Toer Populair T8
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?
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?
We're all built different.
09-16-14 | 10:52 AM
#64
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Joined: Dec 2009
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I bet your thumb would hurt if you whacked it with a hammer...
09-16-14 | 11:13 AM
#65
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Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Sudbury, ON, CA
Bikes: 2012 Kona Sutra, 2002 Look AL 384, 2018 Moose Fat bike
On my Kona Sutra (touring bike with drops), I find that I am more stable resting on the hoods than when resting on the top of the bar (wide position, not narrow, close to the stem). That is one of the reasons why I like the drop bar handlebar.
09-16-14 | 11:33 AM
#66
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Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Philadelphia, PA
Second this, except I would put no.2 at the top. It takes significantly more response time and finger power to brake at full power in an emergency. In winter, lobster gloves make it even worse.
most people will sing the praises of drop bars so to be contrarian i'm going to list some advantages of flat bars:
1. most who commute with drops spend a lot of time on the flats. so unless you commute on the equivalent of chicago's lft drops are less necessary than most aficionados would suggest.
2. flat bar levers generally have better leverage and lessen reaction time versus drop-style levers.
3. flat bars encourage a heads up default riding position.
4. flat bars are twitchier and potentially more nimble (skills required).
5. track standing/sitting is generally easier on a flat bar. (i hate putting my feet down.)
installing interruptor/cross levers on drop bars mitigates many of these concerns. effective use of hood and drop position also mitigates some of these concerns. (i rarely see a drop bar commuter without their hands on the flats.)
1. most who commute with drops spend a lot of time on the flats. so unless you commute on the equivalent of chicago's lft drops are less necessary than most aficionados would suggest.
2. flat bar levers generally have better leverage and lessen reaction time versus drop-style levers.
3. flat bars encourage a heads up default riding position.
4. flat bars are twitchier and potentially more nimble (skills required).
5. track standing/sitting is generally easier on a flat bar. (i hate putting my feet down.)
installing interruptor/cross levers on drop bars mitigates many of these concerns. effective use of hood and drop position also mitigates some of these concerns. (i rarely see a drop bar commuter without their hands on the flats.)
09-16-14 | 11:36 AM
#67
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From: Ottawa, ON Canada
Bikes: GT ZR5000, GT Timberline, Chariot Chauffeur
09-16-14 | 11:42 AM
#68
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: NA
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i'm pretty sure some of the saves i've made on my flat bar bikes would have been impossible on my drop bar bikes.
09-16-14 | 11:47 AM
#69
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From: NA
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09-16-14 | 01:59 PM
#71
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I commute 14 miles one way with drop bars, and carbon fiber bike...makes me crave the ride. From December to April it's on a flat bar beater mountain bike.
I'd like to get a lesser quality road bike with drop bars for the winter, but,
I'd like to get a lesser quality road bike with drop bars for the winter, but,
09-16-14 | 05:23 PM
#72
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 470
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From: Napa, California
I too have swept bars and really, really more options so plan to get some Jones H bars: Store - Handlebars - Jones Bikes. I like my hydros and wouldn't want to give them up...
And...? You think a pair of drop bars somehow negates the ability to bunny hop?? lol
09-16-14 | 05:33 PM
#73
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From: Florida Gulf Coast
Bikes: 1967 Carlton team/ 2013 BMC GF02 Disc/ 2013 Bianchi San Jose SS commuter
09-16-14 | 05:57 PM
#74
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From: NA
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considering that i'm on the wait list for an rs-685 lever for my road bike you are not telling me anything i don't know.
i find it much easier to hop on flat bars than on drops or hoods. then again maybe you are danny effing macaskill...
