commuting with drop down handle bars**********
09-16-14 | 08:30 PM
#76
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(And assuming you made an order of magnitude error: try raising the bars a couple inches. There's no law that says drops have to be below the saddle.)
09-16-14 | 08:32 PM
#77
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09-16-14 | 08:51 PM
#78
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From: Toronto
Bikes: Salsa Vaya
Well, well. You learn something new every day. How much $$$?
In truth, the reasons I won't be going the drop bar route (or bunny hopping, for that matter) are my aged back and large gut. I don't expect to be assuming an aero position anytime soon except maybe in the middle of a 767 on my way to sun and sand.
In truth, the reasons I won't be going the drop bar route (or bunny hopping, for that matter) are my aged back and large gut. I don't expect to be assuming an aero position anytime soon except maybe in the middle of a 767 on my way to sun and sand.
09-16-14 | 09:44 PM
#79
aka Tom Reingold
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Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Rando bars are no different from "normal" drops except that they're splayed out at the sides, so what difference would that make while riding in town?
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
09-16-14 | 09:50 PM
#80
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From: NA
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bunny hopping is more difficult in stretched out positions typical for drop bars.
09-17-14 | 02:13 AM
#82
apocryphal sobriquet
Joined: May 2008
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From: Star City, NE
Bikes: 2008 Surly Long Haul Trucker "The Truckerino"
09-17-14 | 07:51 AM
#84
Aspiring curmudgeon
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From: Saint Louis
Bikes: Guerciotti, Serotta, Gaulzetti
Rando bars also have a bit of rise in the tops and ramps. It's not a huge amount, but I do like the extra height when I'm commuting in those positions.
09-17-14 | 07:52 AM
#85
one life on two wheels
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: St. Petersburg, FL
It's a matter of leverage, though it's probably negligible. It's not that hard to bunny hop a bike with drops from the tops or hoods, possible more tricky if you're actually in the drops at the time...
Spending a bunch of my youth on a BMX, it is a skill I can pull out of my back pocket should the need arise, but if I encountered that kind of thing in my commute so often that I had to consider my choice of handlebar based on the need to bunny hop?...I'd find a different route to work.
Spending a bunch of my youth on a BMX, it is a skill I can pull out of my back pocket should the need arise, but if I encountered that kind of thing in my commute so often that I had to consider my choice of handlebar based on the need to bunny hop?...I'd find a different route to work.
Last edited by cobrabyte; 09-17-14 at 08:17 AM.
09-17-14 | 07:56 AM
#86
one life on two wheels
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From: St. Petersburg, FL
The Nitto moustache bars have a lovely, graceful curve that offers a variety of hand positions that I find comfortable. The Nashbar version does a good job mimicking the style of the Nitto bars, but the curves are all wrong and not comfortable IMO
09-17-14 | 07:59 AM
#87
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From: Kent Wa.
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09-17-14 | 08:14 AM
#88
apocryphal sobriquet
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From: Star City, NE
Bikes: 2008 Surly Long Haul Trucker "The Truckerino"
09-17-14 | 09:34 AM
#90
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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)
Disappointing for a city that's trying so hard to be bike friendly -- is that pretty common in Portland? I've never had to bunnyhop anything on my commute.
Last edited by ThermionicScott; 09-17-14 at 09:42 AM.
09-17-14 | 09:44 AM
#91
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my drop bar bikes have 120 mm stems and put me in a far more stretched out position than on my commuters. in other words, for me, not so negligible a difference. (many drop bar bikes also have a longer and flatter top tube than bikes designed to be upright.) i'm not arguing that flat bars are better than drops for commuting. i'm simply pointing out that people who use them might prefer them for utilitarian reasons (in addition to aesthetic and comfort reasons).
09-17-14 | 09:54 AM
#92
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I think this entirely depends on route choice. For example, there was a rain storm last month and I managed to straighten out and hop a minor rock slide on sam jackson park rd. Those who know that route will understand why that could have been a come to jeebus moment...
