Paul Barnard

It is absolutely a mistake to assume flat bars=more upright. Some flat bar bikes have a very "aggressive" geometry. There are a lot of drop bar gravel bikes that put the rider in a very relaxed/upright position.

Sal Bandini

I'm not making a hypothetical statement. I am comparing 2 bikes that actually exist right now. Which has the more relaxed position, the Sirrus or the Diverge EXO?

Paul Barnard

My intent was to reinforce your post and to expand on it slightly. I guess I did a poor job.

Sal Bandini

LOL I guess I misread it then.

In all seriousness, I'm trying to understand the purpose of the Diverge EXO. I never thought that someone who wanted more aggressive geometry would want a flat bar.

Paul Barnard

The first flat bar bike I ever bought had ridiculously harsh ergos. You see so often in these pages the assumption that flat bar=comfort/upright ergos that I like to warn members that could be a bad assumption.

MrWasabi

Thanks again for the great advice. It seems I need to make sure I ride the bikes so I'm getting the ergos I need and not make assumptions. Another reason I like flat bars is I just feel more comfortable with them control wise in less then perfect trails. I think this comes form my younger motocross/enduro days so I think I'll be sticking with flat bars and just making sure the bike gives me the comfort I need overall. Getting old sucks...lol.

chancelucky

I'm using an updated 80's touring bike for gravel. I confess that I'm very rarely in the drops. The position I do use a lot is the one over the brake hoods which, on my bike, is fairly close to being in the drops. I also have a hardtail mountain bike with trekking handlebars. With the suspension and the ability to cover the brakes better when upright, I'm more confident on rough terrain. I do like having multiple hand/riding positions, but trekking handlebars might be the best way to split the difference.

tyrion

A flat bar (specifically a wide flat bar) gives more control over the rough stuff.

bOsscO

This makes sense considering how wide MTB bars are these days, and the wider/flared drop bars found on many gravel bikes.

tyrion

Yeah it's all about the leverage in some situations. Even the widest gravel monster drop bars don't have nearly the leverage of 700mm+ flat bars.

pbass

It's tricky to get a Cross Check to fit on the "upright" side of things!

gorillimo

Took a couple tries at stems. Good thing I’ve got a friendly co-op in town!
Super good for me now.

mstateglfr 

Suspension, in its various forms, exists for multiple reasons.

- to make a cheap bike look like a higher quality bike.
- to allow for faster riding on technical terrain.
- to allow for more comfort while stiffening frame for handling and power generation.
- to allow for safer riding on technical terrain.
- and more!

Its great that you do 'pretty well' without suspension. I do 'pretty great' without frame or component suspension. My gravel bike doesnt have any frame or component suspension and I dont think twice about it- its a road bike designed for gravel roads, the tires provide enough suspension for how/where I ride.
Questioning if suspension exists for companies to charge more is absurd. Claiming suspension is popular because aluminum became popular as a frame material 3 decades ago is absurd.

Suspension forks, stems, and seat posts all exist as options along a wide spectrum of consumer choice. Nobody is making you choose suspension so it doesnt exist just to charge more. Suspension is also on steel, carbon, and titanium frames, so it doesnt exist because aluminum became popular 30 years ago.
Suspension exists because it it beneficial for some users in certain situations. Thats it- thats all there is to it. Some use it because it allows them to ride faster and/or more comfortably and/or more safely in specific instances. Seems like a very legitimate offering, actually.

pbass

I'll also add to your list:

-to make a cheap, heavy bike even heavier

JK. But yes your assessment of suspension is spot on. I choose bikes w/o it these days, but I wouldn't totally rule it out.

badger1

FWIW, I see the Spec. flat-bar Diverge and Sirrus X as very different. The former strikes me as much closer to, and derived from, current 29er hardtails in its geometry. If one wanted a dedicated 'rigid' 29er to ride gravel and singletrack it would make a lot of sense.

The Sirrus X strikes me as a flat-bar version of current 'gravel/road' bikes: effectively, a dedicated flat-bar version of a drop-bar Diverge, if you like. I switch out my tires between 'gravel' and 'road' on occasion (38s to 32s and back).

I don't get on well with drop-bars, so I'm perfectly happy on this bike on paved/gravel/dirt roads, and on non-technical singletrack. I'm too old and infirm to venture onto the tricky stuff any longer. Oh ... and I like the FS (mine was upgraded to 2.0). It does exactly what Spec. claims it does.

MrWasabi

Great bike and that's the one I think I want if I can find one. I like the 1x too. Thanks for the great info on the comparison. Was the upgrade to 2.0 costly?

badger1

Cheers. The comparison is just my opinion, though I think an informed one. Others will (no doubt; this is Bike Forums!) disagree.

My bike came with the original FS, which was defective out of the box. It was replaced by the 2.0 under warranty, thanks to my lbs, so I don't know the cost. I'm given to understand it wouldn't be inexpensive. However, the FS 1.5 the bike now comes with is much improved over the original, and I would have been perfectly happy with that. The full hydraulic damping is nice, though.

996

I'm thinking of building up my Fairdale Rockitship frame with flat bars... I do however have a question. Can I fit a MTB rear derailleur on a frame like this? I'm thinking of running a 1x setup with some range in the back.

Probably a 40T crank with an 11-51 Shimano Deore cassette (11 speed). Wondering if I can fit the Deore rear mech on the frame. Could this be an issue?

https://bike.shimano.com/en-NZ/produ...M5100-SGS.html

mstateglfr

Sal Bandini

I'm wondering how you came to that conclusion. The Diverge EVO is the flat bar equivalent to the drop bar Diverge. The Sirrus X is not. It is just a 1x version of a fitness bike, Sirrus, Trek FX, etc. Look at the geometry specs. You are more upright on the Sirrus X, and more crouched in the Diverge EVO and Diverge.

badger1

As I said, just my opinion. I have never seen a Diverge EVO, though I have looked at the geometry specs. I base my opinion on those, and on my own experience.

I have seen and been roughly fitted (for comparative purposes for fit on my Sirrus) on a drop-bar Diverge. I can't speak for you, or anyone else, but I am not "more upright" on my Sirrus X (or on my previous Sirrus) than on a drop-bar Diverge, or on a Roubaix for that matter. My normal riding position has been set deliberately these past ten years so that when I am using the bar ends I have a position more-or-less identical to the position I'd be in on the hoods on a Diverge/Roubaix as far as torso angle/arm extension is concerned.

That's me. Others might have different results; couldn't say and don't really care.

Rolla

Yes, you can. I know a guy who runs a Shimano XT rear der on his without any issues.

xroadcharlie

I like the Giant Toughroad SLR 2. It's reasonably priced with carbon forks and 2 x 9 speed gearing for any situation you might encounter.

I'm very pleased with my 2018 Giant Sedona. Giant IMO make some of the best value bikes whether you want a $10,000 racing bike or a $500 comfort bike like my Sedona.

Problem is, I'm not the only one that thinks that way. All the bikes I looked at to try something more aggressive are sold out. Actualy I might enjoy this Toughroad, Would probably put narrower tires on though when the stock ones wear out.

For those who like the drop bar gravel bike, Giant's Revolt line looks like a fine choice. Looks very comfortable for a drop bar bike, more like an endurance gravel bike.

Moisture

How tall are you, and how much do you weigh? Measure your inseam. Place a book up against your jewels and measure from the ground to the upper end of the book and report back.

Do you want a racy riding position? (Saddle above the bars

Neutral? Saddle and bars level?
or..

Comfortable position. Bars above the saddle.

corwin1968

1995 Trek 730 Multitrack





2011 Rivendell Hunqapillar