Whats the difference between drop bar and flat bar handles? The only difference I see is drop bar handles have a longer curved tube metal. You suppose to put your hands on the bottom where the handle is pointing at you? If not then wouldnt a flat bar be the same if you put your hands at top?

Drops offer you many hand positions, flat bars offer you just one really:



(photo from Sheldon Brown's site)

I can think of at least one more that's not shown there.

Matthew

Flat bar bikes will also have different control levers, like a mountain bike, instead of the combined levers found on bikes with drop bars.

Because if you have a flat bar its too light and you know you want more metal because it adds weight to your bike and more weight is good because then you get more momentum so you can get back up the hill then the weight makes you go down faster if you put your hands on the bottom they can break so you don't do that it is just to add weight...

phew.

this is one of those post that worry me

The run on sentence was intentional. Really, it takes effort to make that kind of thing happen.

And you don't necessarily have to have your hands in symmetrical positions, either.

I see two possibilities:

1) This is a troll.
2) This is a person who should probably not be entrusted with the responsibility of riding a bicycle.

Drop bars with their shifters and the frames designed for them put you, the rider, in a more aerodynamic position. Even when riding with hand on the hoods (of the brake/shifters) the position is more aero than a flat bar. When riding in the dropped position, one can really improve your aero position and increase your speed.
As someone who has a damaged neck I can only take partial advantage of the advantages of drop bars. I am reminded of this difference every time I do a pull of a pace line.

Friend's got a newer Diamondback (not sure what model or model year) with a flat bar. He wants to convert to a drop bar like mine. He's getting aero levers (non-STI). What kind of shift lever mounts does he have options for? I know he uses a Shimano below the bar type shifter, but he thinks he won't be able to reuse it on the drop bar, because of the way they're shaped....

Can anyone help?

Update: bike mechanic said he couldn't, then we realized why. So he ended up getting STI...triple front w/ 8 out back. Since he has Tektro Vbrakes front and back we had to get cable multipliers. Took us (we don't know too much about bikes, although we have more background w/ cars) about 4-5 hours of work. Does need some more adjustment, but it's rideable.

They're like the ones in this pic, but not sure what "model" is on the bike....



Added: can these be mounted on a drop bar?

Why does hse have a helmet on while on a trainer?

Exactly what I was thinking? Maybe its an old trainer and it may break at any moment.

Flip it.

One is flat, and the other is all curly-like. Don't you like Curly?

I'm guessing a fitting session, and may have been getting the helmet fitted at the same time. At least that's the only charitable explanation I've got.

Bald patches?

If the drops are too low jack the bars up and bring them in closer. You'll lose the aerodynamic position but it'll be better for upright riding and you can still reach the brakes.

Also, how is babby formed?

We need to do way instain mother who kill their babby, because babby can't fright back.

You've dropped into the Cynicism and Sarcasm Zone. Good Luck!

Drop bars are versatile for relieving pressure points and boosting aerodynamics. Flat or riser bars do not give you as nice a tuck as drop bars, but they do give you more control in wider widths. If you try flatbars, you might try Ergon grips-type. They do a nice job of alleviating pressure on your palms.

If you really want to "cheat the wind" get some aerobar clip-ons, which also give your palms a rest.

Think of yourself as an experimenting scientist. You have to try different things and find out the things you really like riding with.

I ran out of breath reading that...thanks!

I would just think of yourself as Einstein. From here, the resemblance is remarkable.

Hey, that's a really good idea for those that don't want to give up the flatbars.