pat0115

I purchased a 2015 Raleigh Venture 3.0 about 3 months ago. Didn't know how much or how far I would ride, so I went with a comfort bike. Now that I am riding as much as 30 miles in a day, I am realizing that I should have bought a straight bar hybrid instead of what I have. I love the Venture, but I feel like it's holding me back a lot of times. I have considered just buying a new hybrid and I have been checking out the higher end Specialized Sirrus models but I might hold off until the spring or at least until Christmas, when I can buy one for myself as a Christmas present. My question is: Is it even possible and would it make sense for me to change the handle bar out from the comfort bar that is on there now to a straight hybrid bar? Would the geometry of the bike allow that or is everything else set for only using the comfort handle? I feel that maybe not sitting so high would help with wind resistance and would help me to pedal faster. With the current configuration, it is virtually impossible to get my butt off the seat to pedal quicker. I also don't want to waste the money on changing out the handle bar if I won't see any benefit. I would appreciate any help, opinions or comments on this. Thanks all!

prj71

The fork steerer tube on that bike doesn't appear to stick above the head tube to allow you to attach the bars you want.

Even if you could, the larger width tires have more rolling resistance than the standard hybrid bike tire. The narrower tires would be more beneficial to you if your riding 30+ miles.

At only 3 months old, your better off getting as much money as you can out of the bike and put it for sale on craigslist or see if the bike shop will give you a decent amount of $$$ on trade in against a true hybrid bike.

The longer you wait, the less your bike is worth.

JerrySTL

Changing the handlebars out will make a tiny amount of difference. The biggest problem is the upright frame. If you want to go further and faster, you need something like the Sirrus or a true road bike.

NormanF

Other posters are right. Sell the bike and buy a flat bar road bike.

Ideally one that allows you to mount a wide range of tires on it depending on how you intend to ride it.

Doctor Morbius

I'd lean toward getting a new or used bike with completely different -i.e. more aggressive - geometry. If you can swing it financially, this is generally a good time to find year end model closeouts.

MRT2

There are things you can do, but frankly, go take a look at some drop bar road bikes. I know some are suggesting another flat bar bike, but I see where you are headed, so you might as well accept it.

badger1

OP,

It sounds like you want a road bike. These days, road bikes are widely available at varying price points, and come with either flat or dropped bars. My suggestion would be this:

1. Set a price point for yourself, either for right now or in the near future, and
2. before you buy anything, try out as many bikes as you can with both flat and dropped bars.
3. It won't take you long to figure out which you prefer, and by the way ... for recreational cycling, whatever the distance(s), that's all that difference is -- a personal preference.
4. Once you've decided what bar configuration you prefer, your work is done. Buy a bike.