Why do people do this?
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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.
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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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.
Back then, is was more about being cool than aerodynamic.

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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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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.
Back then, is was more about being cool than aerodynamic.


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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.
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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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.
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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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.
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.
I would just buy a better fitting bike with flat bars instead of risking safety by doing this...No?
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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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Hmmm....
Using shifters with inverted bars would be a major pain. Back then, shifters were on the stem.
Using shifters with inverted bars would be a major pain. Back then, shifters were on the stem.
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Hey as long as the stem is pointing in the right direction all is well.

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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.
Add comb or pick in the back pocket of his cords.
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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.
Add comb or pick in the back pocket of his cords.
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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.
Flipping the bars just seemed safer and easier.