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-   -   Touring Bicycles That Use Flat Handlebars (https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/1153235-touring-bicycles-use-flat-handlebars.html)

pakeboi 08-21-18 07:11 AM
Touring Bicycles That Use Flat Handlebars
 
Looking for a flat bar touring bicycle as an "all-rounder" for pavement riding .
Will consider drop bar to flat conversion also .
I like a relaxed geometry and upright riding position .

https://www.cyclingabout.com/best-to...at-handlebars/

fietsbob 08-21-18 08:39 AM
You can change to any handle bar that pleases you..

My 2 Bike Fridays, all have flat handlebars or Trekking bars..

With that company you have a large number of parts pick options ,

they go by that menu as the bike is built as a frame,

and components fitted to complete the bike..

In the NL, Koga Signature program also has a build from a menu option,
but no dealers in USA to ship to, so going over there will be needed
[Dealers in UK Europe and Australia]



....

Paul Barnard 08-21-18 11:41 AM
I just built a touring bike with flat handlebars and bullhorn bar ends. I have yet to tour on it, and in fact have only ridden it 35 miles so far, but I can tell the ergonomics will work well on long rides. Mine was built to be an all-arounder. With my hands on the end of the bullhorns, I can get pretty aero and carry a good pace. There are an almost unlimited variety of flat bars and bar ends to choose from.

Leebo 08-21-18 12:54 PM
I call then mountain bikes, smooth tires or not. Surly makes a bunch.

Lazyass 08-21-18 12:59 PM
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pakeboi 08-21-18 02:37 PM
Originally Posted by Leebo (Post 20519372)
I call then mountain bikes, smooth tires or not. Surly makes a bunch.
Some call them trekking bikes .

tyrion 08-21-18 02:39 PM
Salsa Marrakesh comes in a flat bar version.

Paul Barnard 08-21-18 03:28 PM

That top bike is pretty cool. It really needs a Deore triple crankset though.

Lazyass 08-21-18 04:16 PM
Originally Posted by Paul Barnard (Post 20519678)
That top bike is pretty cool. It really needs a Deore triple crankset though.
I agree, but they're pretty inexpensive.

jefnvk 08-21-18 07:23 PM
Originally Posted by Lazyass (Post 20519739)
I agree, but they're pretty inexpensive.
Bout $100-120 new, and don't come in that high of gearing.

hfbill 08-22-18 05:17 AM
For the last 20 years I've been touring up to 100 miles per day with flat handlebars on my Trek 520. I found that when I used to have bullhorn bars, I always ended up with my hands on the top as it was easier on my back and just felt more comfortable. Probably not as aerodynamic. but I've never found that to be a problem. Of course it's all about personal preference and YMMV.

Leebo 08-22-18 07:34 AM
Originally Posted by pakeboi (Post 20519574)
Some call them trekking bikes .
Yes. Just get something that fits you, and the stuff you have to carry. Rack, frame and fork mounts as well as somewhat longer chainstays are a good start.

AlanK 08-22-18 10:36 PM
Originally Posted by tyrion (Post 20519580)
Salsa Marrakesh comes in a flat bar version.
Pretty sure they discontinued the flat-bar version, but there are still a few out there if you look for them.

MarcusT 08-23-18 10:18 PM
Originally Posted by pakeboi (Post 20518628)
Looking for a flat bar touring bicycle as an "all-rounder" for pavement riding .
Will consider drop bar to flat conversion also .
I like a relaxed geometry and upright riding position .
I converted my MTB to touring and never looked back. I still dream of a dedicated tourer, but I'll wait until I retire before I indulge.

MrJames67 09-04-18 02:57 PM
This looks on the surface to be a fine bike and price. Could have better chainrings and more heavy duty wheels. But has anyone you know purchased a bike from bikesdirect.com? They have a 30-day return period yet companies can use legalese or otherwise weasel out of attempted returns. Credit card companies have the pressure of course to make it happen, but who wants to go through all that reboxing and sending back?

I find it odd that a search on that company here in Bike Forums shows zero mentions of them. I'll try again before posting this....nope, nothing.

Lazyass 09-04-18 03:06 PM
Originally Posted by MrJames67 (Post 20546730)
This looks on the surface to be a fine bike and price. Could have better chainrings and more heavy duty wheels. But has anyone you know purchased a bike from bikesdirect.com? They have a 30-day return period yet companies can use legalese or otherwise weasel out of attempted returns. Credit card companies have the pressure of course to make it happen, but who wants to go through all that reboxing and sending back?

I find it odd that a search on that company here in Bike Forums shows zero mentions of them. I'll try again before posting this....nope, nothing.
I bought a bike from them like 8 years ago. No issues.

Paul Barnard 09-04-18 06:42 PM
Originally Posted by MrJames67 (Post 20546730)
This looks on the surface to be a fine bike and price. Could have better chainrings and more heavy duty wheels. But has anyone you know purchased a bike from bikesdirect.com? They have a 30-day return period yet companies can use legalese or otherwise weasel out of attempted returns. Credit card companies have the pressure of course to make it happen, but who wants to go through all that reboxing and sending back?

I find it odd that a search on that company here in Bike Forums shows zero mentions of them. I'll try again before posting this....nope, nothing.
I bought a bike from them and a frame from their sister store Bike Island. They were wonderful to deal with. In addition I have helped 3 other people set up their Bikes Direct bikes. It is a PITA to return a bike, but the chances of you needing to do it are pretty remote. Over the years Bikes Direct bikes have become less of a value as compared to LBS bikes, but they can still represent a solid deal.

There have been a number of Bikes Direct threads here. In fact Bikes Direct Mike is a member and shows up from time to time.

Paul Barnard 09-04-18 06:44 PM
Here you go!

https://www.bikeforums.net/search.php?searchid=3618844

Rob_E 09-04-18 07:08 PM
I don’t really care for flat bars in the most literal sense of just a straight bar, but I also don’t care for drops, so I tend towards a bar with some sweep, but still closer to a flat bar, I guess. So when I built up my Long Haul Trucker, I used trekking bars at first, and later Albatross bars. Now I have my Troll that I ran as flat bar for a while and switched to Crazy Bars.

Seems like just just about any bike could be built up with whatever bars you want, but if wanted a complete bike, starting with a non-drop bar bike would make the conversion easier. I enjoy my Troll a lot, but there are many options out there.

SamuelH 09-04-18 07:28 PM
For your consideration. Take a look at the Fairdale Weekender Archer. It's an all around bike. Also available with drop bars. I can't post URLs yet. But a Google search will find it easily.

mstateglfr 09-04-18 08:13 PM
Originally Posted by MrJames67 (Post 20546730)
This looks on the surface to be a fine bike and price. Could have better chainrings and more heavy duty wheels. But has anyone you know purchased a bike from bikesdirect.com? They have a 30-day return period yet companies can use legalese or otherwise weasel out of attempted returns. Credit card companies have the pressure of course to make it happen, but who wants to go through all that reboxing and sending back?

I find it odd that a search on that company here in Bike Forums shows zero mentions of them. I'll try again before posting this....nope, nothing.
the bikeforums search is notoriously terrible, but still, I am shocked you couldn't find any mentions of BD. Their bikes are a perpetual major topic in many of the forums.

MrJames67 09-05-18 06:58 AM
Originally Posted by mstateglfr (Post 20547307)
the bikeforums search is notoriously terrible, but still, I am shocked you couldn't find any mentions of BD. Their bikes are a perpetual major topic in many of the forums.
Well, I am surprised also. But shouldn't be. I've seen this happen on other forums, apparently running the same software. I tried it now using the forum search tools and got the same result.

Next attempt: I'll resort to the direct Google method in the URL bar:

site:bikeforums.net bikesdirect.com

Oh looky looky! Lotsa results.

MrJames67 09-05-18 07:02 AM
Originally Posted by Paul Barnard (Post 20547113)
This is what I get: Sorry, no matches. Please try some different terms.

cyccommute 09-05-18 07:46 AM
Originally Posted by Paul Barnard (Post 20547113)
Originally Posted by MrJames67 (Post 20547870)
This is what I get: Sorry, no matches. Please try some different terms.
I don't know what you guys are doing wrong but when I search "bikes direct" in either the search bar or go to the advanced search, I get a return of 485 pages of threads on Bikes Direct.

Paul Barnard 09-05-18 10:02 AM
Originally Posted by cyccommute (Post 20547967)
I don't know what you guys are doing wrong but when I search "bikes direct" in either the search bar or go to the advanced search, I get a return of 485 pages of threads on Bikes Direct.

Weird. When I searched I got a long list of results. The link I provided did not.


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