Recommend me some road drops
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 15
Recommend me some road drops
Going to be doing a 5 day tour later in the year on a rented road bike. Will be training on my fixed gear and wanted to set it up more like a road bike with standard road drops and hoods (either one non-functional or a dummy tandem lever thing).
Anyone have some recommendations for road drops? Would be great if there were some that fit a 25.4 stem as I have several but if I need to switch to a 31.8 to get a better selection I'd do it. Cheap would be good but not essential.
Was thinking maybe these for 25.4:
https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...7&category=635
Not sure if double grooves would be annoying.
or these for 31.8
https://www.retro-gression.com/produc...drop-handlebar
Anyone have some recommendations for road drops? Would be great if there were some that fit a 25.4 stem as I have several but if I need to switch to a 31.8 to get a better selection I'd do it. Cheap would be good but not essential.
Was thinking maybe these for 25.4:
https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...7&category=635
Not sure if double grooves would be annoying.
or these for 31.8
https://www.retro-gression.com/produc...drop-handlebar
#3
Cool Guy
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 796
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From: San Jose, CA
Bikes: Jamis Sputnik, Leader 722 Heritage Edition, Brompton, Bianchi Via Nirone, Robinson SST, Diamondback Sorrento
You're gonna have to consider the reach and drop and find out what you'll be comfortable with.
Edit: Eff it, just read this, and if you have any sort of preferences, you'll know what to get:
https://ruedatropical.com/2009/03/roa...-bar-geometry/
Edit: Eff it, just read this, and if you have any sort of preferences, you'll know what to get:
https://ruedatropical.com/2009/03/roa...-bar-geometry/
Last edited by Training.Wheels; 03-29-13 at 04:10 PM.
#8
Cool Guy
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 796
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From: San Jose, CA
Bikes: Jamis Sputnik, Leader 722 Heritage Edition, Brompton, Bianchi Via Nirone, Robinson SST, Diamondback Sorrento
#10
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 15
Definitely prefer bars like the compact drops where the tops are more flat with bars properly angled than bars where the hoods sit down more on the curves. Will look at the FSA's and the Deda RHM 02 compact drop as well as the hood rats. Have had noodles in the past and probably want more like a modern road bar.
Probably something more like this (poached from another thread
Probably something more like this (poached from another thread
Last edited by nightfly; 03-29-13 at 04:47 PM.
#11
Brown Bear, Sqrl Hunter
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,244
Likes: 28
From: San Jose, CA
Bikes: CAAD 10 4, Dolan DF4, Fuji Track Classic
Definitely prefer bars like the compact drops where the tops are more flat with bars properly angled than bars where the hoods sit down more on the curves. Will look at the FSA's and the Deda RHM 02 compact drop as well as the hood rats. Have had noodles in the past and probably want more like a modern road bar.
FSA Wing Pro
3t Ergonovas
Retrogression Hood Rat (I actually think these are awesome budget bars)
pick your poison
#12
The ergonovas and the wing pros have very similar shapes, except the wing pros flare out a little. I like the flare cause my forearms don't rub against the top of the bars when out of the saddle and sprinting.
#14
Mmmm vegetables
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 59
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From: Toledo, OH
Bikes: Schwinn World Sport, Fuji Sports 12, Diamondback Wildwood (haha)
And if you want a cheap version of the FSA Wing Pro, you can always get the Dimension Flat Top Compact Drop Bar, unless you care about the branding.
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: West Georgia
Bikes: K2 Mod 5.0 Roadie, Fuji Commuter
The straight on photo of those Dimension bars makes them look like the do not have the outward flared drops. That's one of the nicest features of the Wing Pro bars and makes them worth every cent more that they cost.
#16
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
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Anyone have any thoughts about the flat tops of the Wing Pro vs the round topped Omegas? Never used the flat tops before. Would think they are more comfy unless you don't like the angle the drops sit at when the tops are flat.
#18
Cool Guy
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 796
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From: San Jose, CA
Bikes: Jamis Sputnik, Leader 722 Heritage Edition, Brompton, Bianchi Via Nirone, Robinson SST, Diamondback Sorrento
It's a preference thing. You'll never know until you try it because everyone's geometry is different. Maybe try it at your LBS before buying. I have Omegas and I like em. Never cared for WP's flat tops when I considered them.
#20
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,280
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From: Modesto, Ca
Bikes: klein quantum, litespeed tuscany, bianchi pista concept, centurion comp ta, centurion super le mans, traitor ringleader
soma's highway 1's are nice compact drops. FSA has some nice compact drops as well








