Hi guys,

Looking for some advice on what the major advantages / disadvantages are for butterfly bars and drop bars. I have drop bars on my bikes at the moment but am considering butterfly bars for my next build.

Thanks

Daven

Butterfly bars?

Like these?



Drop bars provide three hand positions. The hoods, the tops of the bar near the stem, and of course the drops. This allows more versatility/control/aerodynamics/etc. I wouldn't use butterfly bars -- whatever they are.

yeah like those. Why wouldn't you use them?

they're called "trekking bars", and Nashbar makes them. they're good for touring and commuting...

if you want aero + hand positions, and have a choice, go with drop bars.

Most trekking bars are designed to fit ATB and Hybrid shifters, brakes, and grips. Most also have a 24.5mm stem clamp size, which is again in the ATB/Hybrid area. I found them comfortable with plenty of good hand positions, they're really good for climbing. They are pretty much the most fred-nificent bars though; far too often they have a million things clamped on to them. So I recommend them to anyone looking to upgrade a hybrid or ATB without spending loads of money on new hardware.

EDIT: I forgot to add they can be bar taped - which is awesome.

I have my trekking bars reversed.

They both have their advantages and disadvantages. I use both and would not necessarily recommend one over the other, too many variables. I use the "butterfly" bars on my expedition tour bike which is based on an old rigid framed MTB. The riding position on that bike is more upright than on my more conventional road based touring bike that has drop bars on it.

Aaron

I have bikes with both. The butterfly bars have the advantage of working as drop-in replacements for straight bars. Drop bars have more reach and a larger clamp, requiring a new stem under the best of circumstances. Beyond that, the butterfly bars seem to work best for for heavier, slower bikes. They provide tons of leverage for climbing/acceleration, a good upright position, and a decent cruising positon. The drops provide a better aero position (although clip-on aerobars could provide this on the butterfly bars) and feel more secure on faster descents. I also find drop bar hoods to be a bit more comfortable than the forward bends of the butterfly bars.

Overall, I'd say butterfly bars would be ideal for a cargo/utility bike, drops for a fast ride. Either would work well for a touring bike. I currently use butterfly bars on my touring bike (old rigid mtn bike) since getting the reach right with drops was too much of a pain, but would go with drops on a new touring bike.

Thanks for the information. As I prefer a more aero position - hate sitting upright in a headwind! - I think I'll probably go with the drop bars. As it is a new build I won't have to worry about swapping stems etc. as I haven't even got one yet!

FYI,you can get aero with trekking bars just like drop bars,you just have to position them right. Also note that flat bar shifters are much cheaper than brifters.

I think that's the single biggest item in favor of trekking bars vs. drops -- man oh man are the shifters cheaper.

Yeah that was my motivation for looking at them!