Drop Bars/flat Bars/other?
 

OK, do you use drops or flats. Have you changed from one to the other? This is to provide further info for a discussion on another thread. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=338375

If you have changed bars on at least one bike, but kept all the others the same, answer for the changed bike, please, and tell us about it in the discussion.

No matter what I did, I didn't like drop bars. Flat bars however did not provide as many alternatives to the rider. Settled on a compromise that behaves like the upper half of the drops but with brakes that fit my hands more like MTB levers.

I use an aero base bar with bar end shifters and cyclocross brake levers on the ends. Pictures of this have been posted in the past.

It probably feels better to me because I ride the MTB more than 75% of the time and I wanted a similarity of control group feel.

I don't quite understand the poll. I've never changed the bars on a bike.

However, I have changed from a flat bar bike to a drop bar bike.

Now that I've found that drop bars are far and away more comfortable for me to ride--even with my arthritic back--I'm replacing the flat bar bike with another drop bar one for the winter. It was certainly a challenge trying to find road style frame and drop bars in something that has disc brakes and would accommodate my studded snow tires.

Couldn't vote more than once, went with the one that was latest change.

That's OK Dnvr, no one here would ever take offense at someone's attempt to do good.....;)

Both my road bikes came with drops and I've never considered changing them. I really like the choice of positions on the drop bars. I probably ride the hoods 90% of the time but love the drops when I'm pedaling into a strong headwind:)

I've seen some post they like the drops when doing fast descents but I feel I have more control over the bike out on the hoods on downhills. I realize the tuck position would be better for speed but safetly is the first thing in my mind going down those steep hills:o

+1
This is exactly what I was ready to post. You saved me typing.:)

me

All of my road bikes have always had drops, and all of my mountain bikes have always had flat bars, although I did consider putting drops on the Schwinn, but never got around to it. Adding extensions to the Schwinn's flat bars helped immensely, by providing me with a much-needed neutral rotation (palm vertical) position similar to what I can obtain with drop bars. Since I have those great old 4-finger motorcycle style Shimano brake handles, I can grab the brakes from either the grips or the extensions.

On a road bike, traditional drop bars look far better than any other type, and I take full advantage of the multiple hand positions.

Now that I think about it, I have changed two bikes from flat handlebars to drops. The first was an old Hercules 3-speed which I converted into a 12-speed with a 14-16-18-20 Cyclo cogset adaptor for the Sturmey Archer hub. The second was my current UO-8, which I originally built up for my wife, starting with the bare frame and UO-18 style flat bars. Since my wife now prefers riding a mountain bike on trails over street cycling, I built her a mountain bike and converted the UO-8 into my commuter, with drop bars and barcons.

i like the drops. i usually ride in the drops, then change to the hoods or tops for a position change. i personally wouldn't change from drops to flats on my roadie, but i would consider changing from one type of drops to another if were a comfort issue. i like the variability of hand positions offered by drops.

(and i would never harass somebody that put together a poll... or claim to be able to do it better or know more.... i pretty much don't know much of nothin'.... i appreciate the efforts and work of those who create the polls and those who respond.... thank you, dnvrfox.)

Drop bars for me for all the reasons stated, and they just look right.

I once took a no-suspension MTB and converted it to a drop bar road/dirt road/trail bike. It worked like a charm. I later deconstructed that bike and sold it in its original form. I got a better rigid steel MTB frame which I keep reinventing in different forms. It currently is configured as a town bike with an upright bar which I can't seem to get really comfortable with. Next I'll try a trekking bar. My long term plan for this bike is to set it up with a moustache bar as a true on and off road bike.

My true road bikes have drop bars. I have tried almost every kind of bar available. For road riding of any significant distance, nothing else comes close to being as comfortable for me. The best road bar I have found is the Nitto Noodle.

I had a fuji absolute that had flat bars and I changed over to drops. I had to buy new shifters and a better derailleur and I also changed the cassette 11-32 to get away from MTN bike gearing to road gearing 12-25 . I just got tired of riding in the wind in the straight up position. Before I switch bars I purchased a T-2 areo bar and mounted it . This helped on the flats but I still had problems on winding roads and with the club who would not allow me to used them while I was with them. I rode for a month or so on the coverted
hybrid. The next month it was for sale on "Craigs list" and I then went and purchased a Roubaix. Best move I ever made was to add those drops to that bike and see the diffrence drops had over flat bars even though it cost me a bit of money after I realized it.

So, is this poll limited to those who own a "road" bike?

If so, then how is a "road" bike defined?

I might point out the the original post did not specify ownership. In fact it did not even specify bicycle. Now if anyone out there would like to convert a "roadie" this is you chance

Well, I am a statistician.

I was once told that if you laid every statistician end to end around the world ... it would be a good thing.

One of my reasons for buying a new road bike was to switch from flat bars to drop bars. It just seems that drop bars only add to your positioning options while taking nothing away from a flat bar bike - unless you like grip shifters. My wrists and arms would get sore fairly quickly on my old hybrid.

I read long ago that the positioning on a drop bar bike is better for your back that being more upright - stretched out rather than compressed. I'm sure this is not as simple as that, but I tend to remember statements that agree with what I would like to be true. Doesn't everybody?

Mountain Bikes with Drop bars......
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=304609

:D