Are Drop bars just an illusion for most?
#776
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I'm sure that I speak for the entire Flat-Barrer Community when I say that we flat-barrers aren't looking to be talked into or out of anything. We respect Drop-Barism as a faith and as a belief system just as much as we respect the convictions of our drop-barrer brethren. All we ask in return is that you respect our Flat-Barring religion and stop trying to shove your beliefs down our throats. Feel free to overtake as many of us as you'd like down any stretch of tarmac.
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#777
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I'm at a loss here. I still couldn't tell if we're supposed to be fuqqers or suqqers. indyfabz which one would you rather be?
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And yet I haven't been able to find a sponsors for my tours.
BTW...That' not an opinion. It's a mis-statement of fact. Learn the difference between the two. And there is no prize for the greatest number of "You're all doing it all wrong because you're are not doing it like me" posts.
Please try to live by the words of Thumper's mother: "If you can't say anything nice...."
BTW...That' not an opinion. It's a mis-statement of fact. Learn the difference between the two. And there is no prize for the greatest number of "You're all doing it all wrong because you're are not doing it like me" posts.
Please try to live by the words of Thumper's mother: "If you can't say anything nice...."
Last edited by indyfabz; 06-22-20 at 05:48 AM.
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#779
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Racers are forced to assume this really dumb position because the UCI is too damned stiff necked. They force racers to ride a bike that was invented in 1890. Maybe some day they will approve of a modern bike.
Also there's that little thing where you can't mountain bike anything even a teensy bit technical with a recumbent, especially with a trike.
BTW been there done that altho I didnt race. They among other things is why I went to recumbents. I can now sit upright with free lungs and able to easily see my total surroundings.
On my bikes I don't use mirrors, handlebar or helmet mounted because they don't work nearly as well as looking over the shoulder.
On the topic of drop bars, they are the best thing for road because when setup properly they keep the shoulders from locking up as one can keep one's elbows down and neutral. Some narrow mustache bars and bullhorns allow for that too, but they lack drops which is a nice added bonus position for whatever
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It's hard to know if you really believe this or are just trolling We can all expect our cycling capabilities to diminish with age and infirmity. It's wrong to assume that the majority of cyclists sink along with us.
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One skill I learned in my early cycling days (thanks to Thom Lieb's book) is to use my ears to gauge my surroundings outside of my field of view - motor vehicles coming up behind me, how close they are and how fast they're coming; people talking; everyday noises... etc. and even other cyclists based on the noises their drivetrains make and the sound of them breathing. With surprisingly little time, it became second nature. It's an invaluable skill that kicked right back in as soon as I took up cycling again after an 18-year hiatus. I learned to tell early enough if and when someone is being a schmuck behind the wheel by the sound of their oncoming tire thrum and/or the noise of their engine intake as they accelerate or hoon, and now instinctively swerve out of the way - or into the nearest clear space - based on which side the noise is coming from.
Last edited by sjanzeir; 06-22-20 at 06:35 AM.
#782
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N.B.: Evading the censor is a major no-no.
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I'm at a loss here. I still couldn't tell if we're supposed to be fuqqers or suqqers. indyfabz which one would you rather be?
Let's just say someone put dill weed into their bread dough...
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Are Drop bars just an illusion for most?
For most? I'm betting a great percentage of people use them when it's probably not the right choice for them. But that can probably be said for most folks, where the "right" bar/stem combination hasn't really be found yet and compromises in comfort and/or handling are accepted in order to go with what's commonplace/popular.
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I returned to riding about a decade ago and first got a bike with flat bars. After a couple weeks I bought one with drop bars. The joy of riding returned. Had I stuck with flat bars I'd never have gone beyond 5 mile rides. I can't imagine trying to ride 40 miles with flat bars.
Figuring out what worked for me wasn't all that difficult. I presume you are equally capable of figuring out what works for you. Why would you assume others don't have that capacity as well?
Last edited by jon c.; 06-22-20 at 08:49 AM.
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Nope. Use 'em all of the time, on every ride. And I'm far from a racer/elite athlete.
- Greater steering and braking control during fast descents (esp. if bumpy).
- More hand positions.
- Getting low during windy conditions when cross-winds make getting low on the hoods less safe..
- Stretch out lower back.
- Sprinting to beat that yellow.
- Greater steering and braking control during fast descents (esp. if bumpy).
- More hand positions.
- Getting low during windy conditions when cross-winds make getting low on the hoods less safe..
- Stretch out lower back.
- Sprinting to beat that yellow.
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I guess I would ask the question--------------with all the bikes with drop bars, what percentage of the time do all the cyclist riding them spend in the drops?
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N.B.: Evading the censor is a major no-no.
"In addition, the 'masking' of vulgarity by inserting * or another keystroke in place of one or more letters in a vulgar term is unacceptable in most cases. It will also be impermissible to anagramize a word to bypass the filters. This applies to all content submitted by users including posts, PMs, avatars and signatures."
"In addition, the 'masking' of vulgarity by inserting * or another keystroke in place of one or more letters in a vulgar term is unacceptable in most cases. It will also be impermissible to anagramize a word to bypass the filters. This applies to all content submitted by users including posts, PMs, avatars and signatures."
But, isn't that exactly why the censor/nanny filter exists - so that it will thwart us while we try to get around it in new and creative ways?
#790
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I probably posted some pithy junk earlier in the topic, but, have ridden some more so thought about it some more.
I think all have their places. I feel like if you know what you're doing between choosing and wrapping a bar and choosing gloves........any bar anywhere can be comfortable to hands in terms of pressure.
I thought the "tee bar" was mostly to have more steering control in tough environments. Slower steering response. You see this play out with mountain biking, gravel riding, cyclocross, etc....
Given my earlier about gloves and bar tapes (or aero bars for comfort sake), I would choose the bar based on the need for steering input and long-ride posture over the bars (upright or down). I don't see tee bars giving much advantage here since you can raise or widen drop bars a ton.
I sometimes take the dog for a ride on the wife's tee bar "greenway" bike in his basket on the front. The lower steering switch is nice in that scenario. The dog really messes up the front end feel of the bike otherwise. I've never been on my cyclocross bike and thought "wish I could be higher up" and that the wife's tee bar would solve that in any way.
It's whatever. Who cares. I just think folks need to be open to trying different things for different ride environments instead of being an ostrich with the head in the ground. Make friends and maybe ask "hey, can I try that for a couple miles". You might like it.
I think all have their places. I feel like if you know what you're doing between choosing and wrapping a bar and choosing gloves........any bar anywhere can be comfortable to hands in terms of pressure.
I thought the "tee bar" was mostly to have more steering control in tough environments. Slower steering response. You see this play out with mountain biking, gravel riding, cyclocross, etc....
Given my earlier about gloves and bar tapes (or aero bars for comfort sake), I would choose the bar based on the need for steering input and long-ride posture over the bars (upright or down). I don't see tee bars giving much advantage here since you can raise or widen drop bars a ton.
I sometimes take the dog for a ride on the wife's tee bar "greenway" bike in his basket on the front. The lower steering switch is nice in that scenario. The dog really messes up the front end feel of the bike otherwise. I've never been on my cyclocross bike and thought "wish I could be higher up" and that the wife's tee bar would solve that in any way.
It's whatever. Who cares. I just think folks need to be open to trying different things for different ride environments instead of being an ostrich with the head in the ground. Make friends and maybe ask "hey, can I try that for a couple miles". You might like it.
#791
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So, what's the point of that question? All you're demonstrating is that your nonsense about drop bars being only good for racing is still nonsense.
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Depends. On my road bike, during a crit 100% of the time. During a road race, it depends on how much climbing there is, but always whenever there's stress: cornering, descending, bad pavement, in the pack. On my CX bike, much more time on the hoods, but I still use the drops when sprinting or descending.
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But I'm very pleased to know that my choice of bars has converted me into an elite racer. Some might think 59 to be too old for that to start, but it's been stated on an internet forum, so there is now no doubt.
See you on the podium.
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#796
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I hope you have a substantial amount of assets accumulated for the Slander lawsuit coming your way. Or the People that allow it also.
"slan·der
/ˈslandər/
noun
Law
noun: slander
"slan·der
/ˈslandər/
noun
Law
noun: slander
- the action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation.
"he is suing the TV network for slander"
verb
verb: slander; 3rd person present: slanders; past tense: slandered; past participle: slandered; gerund or present participle: slandering - make false and damaging statements about (someone).
"they were accused of slandering the head of state"
#797
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I hope you have a substantial amount of assets accumulated for the Slander lawsuit coming your way. Or the People that allow it also.
"slan·der
/ˈslandər/
noun
Law
noun: slander
"slan·der
/ˈslandər/
noun
Law
noun: slander
- the action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation.
"he is suing the TV network for slander"
verb
verb: slander; 3rd person present: slanders; past tense: slandered; past participle: slandered; gerund or present participle: slandering - make false and damaging statements about (someone).
"they were accused of slandering the head of state"
Just so you know, you're anonymous here, so even if I've said anything provably untrue (which I haven't), proving damages is going to be impossible.
Now why don't you just put me on ignore and calm down?
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#799
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#800
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I hope you have a substantial amount of assets accumulated for the Slander lawsuit coming your way. Or the People that allow it also.
"slan·der
/ˈslandər/
noun
Law
noun: slander
"slan·der
/ˈslandər/
noun
Law
noun: slander
- the action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation.
"he is suing the TV network for slander"
verb
verb: slander; 3rd person present: slanders; past tense: slandered; past participle: slandered; gerund or present participle: slandering - make false and damaging statements about (someone).
"they were accused of slandering the head of state"
Also considering this is an international forum be sure to keep us all updated on how this potentially border crossing law suit goes. I'll have my popcorn at the ready.
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