Flat Bars
#26
Thread Starter
Pedantic Antics
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 271
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From: Boston, MA, USA
Bikes: 1 30-speed Ultegra Road, 1 43/16 Fixed, 1 47/15 Fixed, 1 Converted Beach Cruiser to Pennyfakething
I've commuted on this bike, gone on metric centuries on this bike and used it for general transport. The flat bars are comfortable, provide good control, brakes are close at hand, I can see and be seen in traffic, and am better able to absorb shock on rough urban roads. It's not a FG or SS, it's not hip, it's just practical. So, that's why I use flat bars anyway.
I find that drops and bullhorns also provide good control, put the brakes close at hand (and you can even have brake levers in all the optional positions), allow you to be seen in traffic just as well, and can be more comfortable due to ergonomics as mentioned earlier.
I don't know whether they allow you to absorb shock better or not. I hadn't thought about that and will certainly play around with it.
I find that bullhorns and drops can be just as practical, if not more so. However, they will not provide as much leverage. When does an increased need for leverage come into play while bicycling?
#27
Veteran Racer


Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,854
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From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
Well, increased width of the bars will improve control when encountering very rough or uneven roads and potholes, due to increased leverage. This is why they are so popular on mountain bikes. The disadvantage is poor aerodynamics, which is not important off road or when riding at a 15mph commute / touring pace.
#28
What? You mean as a trend right?
Cuz Flatbars have and will be around forever.
I ride flat bars not risers.
And no my elbows dont stick out like chicken wings.
Ive ridden on diff bar types and I settled on flatbars not because of fashion and trends but because I found it the most comfortable for my type of riding, mostly in city streets and traffic.
Cuz Flatbars have and will be around forever.
I ride flat bars not risers.
And no my elbows dont stick out like chicken wings.
Ive ridden on diff bar types and I settled on flatbars not because of fashion and trends but because I found it the most comfortable for my type of riding, mostly in city streets and traffic.
Last edited by MysticRats; 04-13-10 at 07:38 PM.
#29
FNG
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 877
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From: Quarry Stone
Bikes: Raleigh Special * Nishiki MTN Winter Commuter * Trek Soho 3 * Specialized Langster Seattle
Okay anitaverage, it's settled then. You don't like them, you like drops. Every understand? Anitaverage likes drops. 'Cause we were all wondering.
Also, it's pretty funny that you thank the mod for saying almost the exact same thing everyone else has been the whole time. Just saying.
Last edited by destikon; 04-13-10 at 07:48 PM.
#32
chickenosaurus
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Boston, MA
Bikes: 2010 Motobecane Team Track, 1997 GT Edge, 2012 Kilo TT Stripper
#34
poppawheelie
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 486
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From: Victoria / Gifu
Bikes: Panasonic, Super Cycle
I have a bike with drops for longer riders/ training and a bike with risers for commuting to work. I used to ride flat bars I took off an old mtb. They are pretty comfortable. I like flat/riser for commuting as I feel I have more leverage with them if I am racing through traffic(i leave for work at the last possible minute). I also like risers for the rise effect, more so than that of a drop bars flat position.
#35
Your cog is slipping.



Joined: May 2009
Posts: 26,053
Likes: 100
From: Beverly MA
Bikes: EAI Bareknuckle
#36
I mean, hypothetically speaking here, hips are fairly maneuverable. Then again, so are bars. It's all irrelevant, since I like road drops or groovy townie bars. To each his or her own, although hating is probably 85% of what goes on here. So I should say "to me mine, and all you haters _______."
Last edited by TejanoTrackie; 04-13-10 at 09:09 PM. Reason: deleted vulgar language
#37
You gonna eat that?
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,917
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From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS
Because the bike came with them and they suit the bike well.
#38
I believe it is fair to say that proper pista drops are not particularly comfortable. Riding brakeless, you cannot exactly ride the hoods like you can on a nice ergo road drop. Face it-- proper track drops are designed for riding in the drops.
I like some variety--- have mustache bars on one of my fixed gears. Those babies are wide. With all the hills, I prefer bullhorns. They provide a similar position to riding the hoods on my road bike. I have one bike with flat bars, and they pinch a nerve in my wrists on long rides.
I like some variety--- have mustache bars on one of my fixed gears. Those babies are wide. With all the hills, I prefer bullhorns. They provide a similar position to riding the hoods on my road bike. I have one bike with flat bars, and they pinch a nerve in my wrists on long rides.
well i suppose to be fair, there is a difference between why people use flat bars, and what are the advantages of running a flat bar.
i think people run flat bars because
a) they are dirt cheap
b) brake levers for them are dirt cheap
c) they are more comfortable (mentally) since most of us grew up on flat bars of some sort, not drops
d) because of wheelies and bar spinzzzzzz, they are in fashion
d is probably the most important one. i haven't been around forever, but i've seen trends come and go. there was a time we were having these exact same discussions, but instead of talking about impractical risers cut too short, we were talking about impractical track drops on super-dropped stems, along those lines were discussions of impractical gear ratios (track ratio on the street). the reason people ran those setups? because that's what was cool to run. you had deep v's, a 52 front chainring, and the deepest, most polished drops you could find. now you have one aerospoke, an anodized crank and risers narrower than your shoulders.
i think it's just part of human nature, really. when someone thinks "hey i think i'd like to try that out" they go look at what everyone else is doing and then emulate it. i'm sure flatbars/risers will fade out.
i think people run flat bars because
a) they are dirt cheap
b) brake levers for them are dirt cheap
c) they are more comfortable (mentally) since most of us grew up on flat bars of some sort, not drops
d) because of wheelies and bar spinzzzzzz, they are in fashion
d is probably the most important one. i haven't been around forever, but i've seen trends come and go. there was a time we were having these exact same discussions, but instead of talking about impractical risers cut too short, we were talking about impractical track drops on super-dropped stems, along those lines were discussions of impractical gear ratios (track ratio on the street). the reason people ran those setups? because that's what was cool to run. you had deep v's, a 52 front chainring, and the deepest, most polished drops you could find. now you have one aerospoke, an anodized crank and risers narrower than your shoulders.
i think it's just part of human nature, really. when someone thinks "hey i think i'd like to try that out" they go look at what everyone else is doing and then emulate it. i'm sure flatbars/risers will fade out.
#39
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 357
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
I used to ride Nitto Bullhorns and while they give more hand positions than a flat bar, I recently switched to Deda flats. They are completely no rise or bend - 100% flat. I put on grips and went for a spin tonight (no pun intended). I am not a trickster or messenger. I just feel like the ride is more relaxed, which is what i was looking for. I could have had similar hand positions with the bullhorns but not quite. To hild the horizontal part of bulls, your thunbs would pretty much be snug against the stem and that's kind of awkward and unnatural to me. I like them as wide as my shoulder. What's great is the Dedas are 50 cm and can be cut down to any size. I think mine are 40 cm.
#43
Rebel Rouser
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: fort worth, TX
Bikes: kilo TT, dawes touring lightning, unknown BCM lugged conversion
i ride drops until my back starts hurting , then i switch to risers until it heals, or a curved bar of sorts, then when my back feeling strong again i go back to drops, plus i like collecting stuff and bars are somewhat cheap
#44
Degenerate Grouch
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Lawrence
Bikes: Kona Hahanna, Schwinn Speedster
I use them because it is what my bike came with. That said, I am looking for a good set of drop bars because around mile 30 of my last 60 mile ride my hands were going numb. If I only rode around town I would not change them out because I am cheap and they are fine for rides of < 20 miles.
#45
Thread Starter
Pedantic Antics
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Boston, MA, USA
Bikes: 1 30-speed Ultegra Road, 1 43/16 Fixed, 1 47/15 Fixed, 1 Converted Beach Cruiser to Pennyfakething
Also, you're saying you'd rather have riser bars for the height as oppose to a longer steering tube for drops, which makes a ton of sense. Thanks for your comments.
This isn't news. I know that. I want to know why it feels good to them. I'm not here to say my way is the only way, or that your way sucks. I don't feel that. I'm looking for more in-depth answers.
#47
Thread Starter
Pedantic Antics
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 271
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From: Boston, MA, USA
Bikes: 1 30-speed Ultegra Road, 1 43/16 Fixed, 1 47/15 Fixed, 1 Converted Beach Cruiser to Pennyfakething
#48
Beausage is Beautiful

Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Saitama, Japan
Bikes: Nabiis Alchemy

Flat bars/mtb bar ends checking in...
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Yo. Everything I’m doing is linked on What’s up with Dave? but most of note currently is Somewhere in Japan.
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#50
Beausage is Beautiful

Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Saitama, Japan
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Beats the hell out of me. I found them like new but without box for $10 at a shop in Missouri.
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Yo. Everything I’m doing is linked on What’s up with Dave? but most of note currently is Somewhere in Japan.
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