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Why do people do this?

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Why do people do this?

Old 10-20-05, 02:12 PM
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Why do people do this?

On the way to work I saw another person with this odd type of configuration...

They have drop bars and they flip them over and it looks like bullhorns. What is the use of this? Why don't people just get MTB flat bars instead of doing this? It seems pretty strange, I see no benefit, actually the brakes are hard to reach(from the looks of it).

Anyone see this before? I haven't seen serious roadies do this but I have seen a number of poor'ish looking people do this.
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Old 10-20-05, 02:21 PM
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That’s how we all did it on our Schwinn’s back in the ‘70’s.

Back then, is was more about being cool than aerodynamic.
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Old 10-20-05, 02:22 PM
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That used to be common practice thirty years ago to make the bike ride more like the Sting Rays we grew up on. The rider would NOT consider himself a "roadie", probably just going to the market to pick up a sixer since his license was taken away.

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Old 10-20-05, 02:23 PM
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I used to be able to pull incredible wheelies with the flipped bars.

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Old 10-20-05, 02:27 PM
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Originally Posted by LA_Rider
That’s how we all did it on our Schwinn’s back in the ‘70’s.

Back then, is was more about being cool than aerodynamic.
Ohh, Im going to be cool and do it to my bike tommorow then
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Old 10-20-05, 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted by 55/Rad
I used to be able to pull incredible wheelies with the flipped bars.

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A new fad for high end bikes ?
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Old 10-20-05, 02:32 PM
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I have an acquaintenance who does it because of a back problem and an unwillingness to purchase a different bike.

If they enjoy it and are comfortable why does it matter. I don't care what anyone does with their bike. They have no effect on mine.
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Old 10-20-05, 02:33 PM
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So you can sit upright on it. People do it because they don't like riding all hunched over. It's not comfortable.

I've seen senior citizens (in Florida, more often than not) riding some wild confiruations of bikes. All in the name of comfort.

And they might not be "poor-ish". They might be eccentric billionaires for all we know.
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Old 10-20-05, 02:38 PM
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All that guy needs to go with his flipped bars is some loose, dirty bar tape flappin' in the wind and a tank top that reads, "Makin' Bacon."
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Old 10-20-05, 02:53 PM
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Originally Posted by EventServices
So you can sit upright on it. People do it because they don't like riding all hunched over. It's not comfortable.

I've seen senior citizens (in Florida, more often than not) riding some wild confiruations of bikes. All in the name of comfort.

And they might not be "poor-ish". They might be eccentric billionaires for all we know.
didn't mean to insult anyone, I was just curious on why people did this..

I would just buy a better fitting bike with flat bars instead of risking safety by doing this...No?
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Old 10-20-05, 02:58 PM
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i've often wondered this myself. i'm glad you asked. i'm actually going to be getting one soon to convert to a fixed gear (those old 70s frames are good for that), and it has that...and i always wondered...
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Old 10-20-05, 03:03 PM
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Hmmm....

Using shifters with inverted bars would be a major pain. Back then, shifters were on the stem.
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Old 10-20-05, 03:04 PM
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Hey as long as the stem is pointing in the right direction all is well.
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Old 10-20-05, 03:14 PM
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All that guy needs to go with his flipped bars is some loose, dirty bar tape flappin' in the wind and a tank top that reads, "Makin' Bacon."
Add comb or pick in the back pocket of his cords.
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Old 10-20-05, 03:19 PM
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Originally Posted by jqnj
All that guy needs to go with his flipped bars is some loose, dirty bar tape flappin' in the wind and a tank top that reads, "Makin' Bacon."
Add comb or pick in the back pocket of his cords.
No shirt, bare foot and long hair!
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Old 10-20-05, 03:31 PM
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Mullett!!!!!
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Old 10-20-05, 04:24 PM
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It was also before aero brake levers with ergonomic hoods. Your braking choices were riding on the drops or using the suicide levers that came with your Schwinn Continental.

Flipping the bars just seemed safer and easier.
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