tell me about old/new drop bars
12-09-10, 06:56 PM
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tell me about old/new drop bars
i am building an old Bianchi Boardwalk as a commuter/cruising kinda bike. I want to put drop bars on it and I have a few types of bars at the local co-op that I can use, but I don't know much about drop bars coming from a bmx/mtb background. I have some old Road Champion bars that are pretty basic looking, some Road Champions that seem to have a little up-sweep on them near the clamp area, and some more modern 3T bars that are wider and shallower.
What might be the best general use bars for me?
What might be the best general use bars for me?
12-09-10, 07:53 PM
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some people like the ergo "hooks" on their drops (new style) but I don't have a preference for either. I don't really have a preference for steel/aluminum either honestly.
I do prefer drop bars that are 46-48cm wide though...I like the greater torque they allow when climbing, and I just find them more comfortable.
I do prefer drop bars that are 46-48cm wide though...I like the greater torque they allow when climbing, and I just find them more comfortable.
12-09-10, 08:04 PM
#3
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
Originally Posted by mack_turtle
What might be the best general use bars for me?
12-09-10, 09:33 PM
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I like 'randonneur' bars. They have a little upsweep from the stem clamp area out to the first bend, and are bent to curve out slightly, as well as down and back. This makes the straight part near the ends offset from being directly below the upper bend. It gives me more hand positions. Not just up/down, but also a bit of in/out. Nitto makes a 135 that comes in widths from 42-46 I think.
12-09-10, 09:53 PM
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Most new drops are oversize so will require a different stem than the older drops. I'd imagine that your Bianchi uses quill stems. If so you won't be able to use oversize drops. You can get a stem converter to use threadless stems and then an oversize drop.
12-09-10, 10:18 PM
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nope, all the bars are the same size and fit in my old quill stem. I just don't want to take the time to set up brake levers and wrap the bars, only to discover that i hate them and have to unwrap and rewrap them.
one of the bars I have seems more like a randonneur bar, so i might try that. the 3T bars are pretty shallow though.
one of the bars I have seems more like a randonneur bar, so i might try that. the 3T bars are pretty shallow though.
12-09-10, 11:44 PM
#8
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
Originally Posted by Fizzaly
the shallow drop might be better for general riding.
Personally, I like "normal" drops -- deeper than shallow or compact, that is -- so that riding in the drops still gets me low even if the flats & hoods aren't crazy low.
12-10-10, 05:22 AM
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I prefer shallow drop.
The original Ergo style drop bar had a flat section on the drops but I found that my hand just slid down. I prefer a curved drop. I find Randoneur style very comfortable. The new 3TTT style with a more complex curved drop look very good.
The original Ergo style drop bar had a flat section on the drops but I found that my hand just slid down. I prefer a curved drop. I find Randoneur style very comfortable. The new 3TTT style with a more complex curved drop look very good.
12-10-10, 01:52 PM
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Originally Posted by bobdell
I like to ride the bike a bit before taping the bars to get a feel for the bars and lever positioning.
are you reusuing that 'Tube' stem?
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Bianchis '90 Proto, '90 Campione del Fausto Giamondi Specialisma Italiano Mundo, '91 Boarala 'cross, '93 Project 3, '86 Volpe, '97 Ti Megatube, '93 Reparto Corse SBX
Others but still loved; '80 Batavus Professional, '87 Cornelo, '?? Jane Doe (still on the drawing board), '90ish Haro Escape SLX Bertoni "Speckled Trout"
Bianchis '90 Proto, '90 Campione del Fausto Giamondi Specialisma Italiano Mundo, '91 Boarala 'cross, '93 Project 3, '86 Volpe, '97 Ti Megatube, '93 Reparto Corse SBX
Others but still loved; '80 Batavus Professional, '87 Cornelo, '?? Jane Doe (still on the drawing board), '90ish Haro Escape SLX Bertoni "Speckled Trout"
12-10-10, 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Bianchigirll
are you reusuing that 'Tube' stem?
12-10-10, 09:15 PM
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they always seemed pretty nice never heard of one breaking
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Bianchis '90 Proto, '90 Campione del Fausto Giamondi Specialisma Italiano Mundo, '91 Boarala 'cross, '93 Project 3, '86 Volpe, '97 Ti Megatube, '93 Reparto Corse SBX
Others but still loved; '80 Batavus Professional, '87 Cornelo, '?? Jane Doe (still on the drawing board), '90ish Haro Escape SLX Bertoni "Speckled Trout"
Bianchis '90 Proto, '90 Campione del Fausto Giamondi Specialisma Italiano Mundo, '91 Boarala 'cross, '93 Project 3, '86 Volpe, '97 Ti Megatube, '93 Reparto Corse SBX
Others but still loved; '80 Batavus Professional, '87 Cornelo, '?? Jane Doe (still on the drawing board), '90ish Haro Escape SLX Bertoni "Speckled Trout"
12-11-10, 01:11 PM
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I have gotten away from the older style stem that you had to 'thread' the bars through. The newer style with a removeable faceplate makes it easy to swap bars, if you want to try a different one. I also like adjustable stems, to be able to raise/lower the bars as needed.
12-11-10, 05:02 PM
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yeah, i wish i had on of those. i have several of the older style stems and a lot of bars. I put the 3T bars on the bike today and that was a pain! hopefully i like the bars because i don't want to have to take them back out.
when the bike is assembled, it will be a single speed with a 40/16 gear and a DMR tensioner. someone just found some bar end friction shifters for me, so if i end up hating the SS setup, it will have some gears.
when the bike is assembled, it will be a single speed with a 40/16 gear and a DMR tensioner. someone just found some bar end friction shifters for me, so if i end up hating the SS setup, it will have some gears.
