mynameisgeorgel

Hey guys,

I recently purchased a 2011 Raleigh Cadent ft3 to use to commute. I wanted a road bike but every bike shop I went to suggested going with a hybrid instead. After putting some miles on the raleigh I've decided I'd rather have drop bars and now I need suggestions for going this route. What bars, shifters, etc should I go with?

Lexi01

Why do you want road bars? From what I've read most people with road bikes spend most of their tome on the hoods anyway. I just bought a new road bike after 6 months back on a hybrid and have been on 1 ride so I can't really comment from personal experience - but from what I gathered the drops wouldn't be too comfortable for general riding/commuting.

From what you've told us about the use it looks like the shop sold you the right bike. You could swap the tyres out for 23's and add some bar ends for more hand positions if you want but apart from that it already looks like a great choice for your needs anyway.

ColinL

I ride in the drops whenever I go into the wind or am descending with speed. Otherwise it's on the hoods, top corners, or bar tops.

I do agree that a lot of roadies never use their drops. Your bike should be fitted to where you can use the tops, hoods or drops.

javal

Drops are essentiel. it makes sense if you think about how many drop bar riders there are, both pro´s and others. Drops arent there to hang in all the time. Like gears you change hand position to adjust in relation to wind, type of speed and course. And again, it gives you multiple choices of hand positions, which also relieves your hands, shoulders and back. But, conversions can be tricky and theres loads of posts about it. Check them out. Theres always the possebility of buying a decent used road bike. Might be the most in-expensive way and you´ll end up with at least two bikes (two times funnier!). Or sell the present bike as finance for a roadie. I think once you got the roadie thing in your head you should act on it. It wont leave your system. Lend a friends road bike? But DO try it out! (heck - 1.000 posts... I should have read a book).

qmsdc15

Why are drop bars only used in professional road races when they are required by the rules (mass started events) and never in professional road races where they are not required (time trials)?

ColinL

A time trial bar has aerobars which put you into a riding position that is superior to being in the drops.

Serious people aren't TTing on flatbars.

qmsdc15

Did I say they were?

Are professional riders using drop bars when they are not required to do so?

If not, why are drop bars the best, in fact the only reasonable choice for "serious" riders???

qmsdc15

Actually I know a serious rider who raced a time trial with flat bars.

What kind of handlebars do you use for time trials, Colin?

Talldog

He..he ... this is getting as exciting as the road forum

qmsdc15

Seriously, it's horrible that the sales geeks steered you away from the bike you wanted. Put a rack on your hybrid, and sell your car. Use the money to buy a nice road bike. Or sell your hybrid and use the money plus a another thousand dollars or so and buy a nice road bike.

ColinL

Despite one person in a race or a few members of BF who have fitted clip-on aerobars to their flatbars, a massive percentage of TT and triathlon riders use either specialized aerobars of which there are several styles, or clip-on aerobars on a road drop bar. This is plainly evident watching any race or asking any group of TT or tri riders.

Yet again this doesn't mean that flatbars are bad. I am a bicyclist. I would use the best tool for the job at hand. I am aware that certain badasses ride road bars in muddy singletrack. I would choose flatbars for that purpose.

Anyway, good evening. No popcorn needed!

LowCel 

Actually at times drop bars are used in time trials, it all depends on the route. For example, Alpe d'huez time trial the riders used their regular road bikes.

surfrider

Is this what you're looking to do? This is a 2006 trek FX 7.3 that I rehabed, including the drop bar. Changes for just the dop bar was the handlebar itself, brake levers, bar-end shifters, cabling for brakes & shifters, and bartape. I did t myself on teh cheap; already had the bars and non-aero brake levers, bought the bar-end shifters on line for cheap (came with cabling), and bartape at my LBS. Not the lightest or fastest bike, but its a great comfy workout bike. And the drop bars are a lot more comfy that flat bars.

AlphaDogg

^^ Threadless headset/stem AND non-aero levers?

javal

Ah, come on. Lots of amateur sportives, semi-pro events and everyday people engaging in the sport (all over the globe) prefers to do it with drops. Including pro and amateur CX. Aint no rule anywhere telling them what to do.

I noticed you left out the bit about hand positions...a key point.

qmsdc15

Some people choose flat bars and I believe it is a reasonable choice, even for experienced, "serious" riders. I understand that you feel differently on the subject. I have only defended the freedom of choice. You and Colin disparage those of us who have made a choice different from your choice. I have never criticized those who prefer the drop bars and the wonderful myriad of hand positions they offer. I have simply tried to open your minds a little bit, but it's a lost cause.

Yes many people use drop bars. I don't know that was ever in question.

ColinL

I don't disparage anyone.

Nowhere have I ever directly or indirectly insulted any person or class of rider for their choice. (I understand you FEEL offended, but I cannot help that.) I am simply here talking about bicycles, and some types of bicycles are better at one job than another. That fact says nothing about people riding them, their budget, or their preferences.

qmsdc15

Your decision regarding what is best for the rest of us ('better at one job than another') is condescending. I notice your wife isn't buying it. You frequently express the superiority of your choice. To suggest otherwise is disingenuous.

ColinL

Welcome to my ignore list. It's just not worth trying to talk sense to someone that spews nothing but hate.

qmsdc15

Moderators, I would like to point out that I haven't written anything hateful although I have been accused of doing so.

ColinL

Oh come on now, "I see your wife isn't buying it" isn't an attack? It is. And I saw your post last night before the moderator deleted it where you threatened me with physical violence. It's sad.

I refuse to sink to your level. I don't care if you are banned, warned or carry on with your little war against anyone who thinks other than "Flatbars, best ever, all the time" but I do know I'm not reading any more of your tripe.

qmsdc15

Unfortunately baseless accusations like these cause real harm to my character.

Pointing out that your wife does not share your bias is hardly an attack.

Voicing the opinion that drop bars are not the only reasonable choice for recreational riders, even fast fit riders, is hardlv proclaiming "Flatbars, best ever, all the time". Why is that in quotation marks? Who are you quoting there, Colin? It sure looks like you're quoting me, but I have written nothing remotely like that nor have I implied anything like that.

qmsdc15

And I think you are overstating the case to suggest I "threatened... with physical violence". Anyone reading that is going to assume the worst. "Sink to your level"? Please, begin ignoring me already!

javal

I simply disagree with you. And its not the agenda of free speech. I took that for granted. Its more than OK that you advocate flat bars, hence you should accept others to do so concerning drops. Most people riding drop bar bikes isnt pro riders governed by any rules (those rules are built on safety aspects by the way), and basiclly you´re telling everyone they´re wrong. Not OK by me. I´ve been riding far too long.

If you benefit from flat bar thats it. If others (post after post) benefit from the obvious advantages with drops so be it.

qmsdc15

I'm sorry Javal. I have only challenged the idea that flat bars are not suitable for serious riders. Perhaps some of my arguments in defense of flat bars have been misleading. I assure you I have never suggested drop bars aren't a good choice. The only point I have tried to make is that drop bars are not the only choice.

If you continue to insist your choice is better than mine, I will continue to challenge you. This is the hybrid forum. I don't think defending the choice of flat bars is out of place here. In fact I think it's important for that opinion to be heard. Thanks for your respectful post. We can disagree without being disagreeable.

I know you did not intend to misrepresent my point of view. I hope I have clarified it somewhat. I have used drop bars, I don't think it's wrong to use them. I don't think "drop bars are essential" (quoting you). It's fine for you to say they are. I hope it's OK for me to say that drop bars are not essential.