rustang351

Hello,
I’m a causal rider and pedal sitting up 95% of the time, but like going fast.
Can today’s integrated brake/shifter levers on road bikes be easily operated with your hands ‘on top of the hoods’. i.e. from a more upright riding position.

Trying to decide if I need a straight bar or a drop bar bike.

Nerull

Yes, modern levers are designed with the hoods as the primary riding position, though they are also operable from the drops.

halfspeed

Sitting up is not compatible with "going fast." Most of the speed from a road bike comes from the position. If you cannot adapt to the position, you're better off sticking with a hybrid.

TrojanHorse

Bah, get the drop bars. You can ride on the hoods 95% of the time and use the drops when you really want to get busy. You can also use the flats, move your hands to the curve on the tops, use the ends of the drops... lots of positions to let you mix it up. With a hybrid you pretty much have one position, which will definitely get uncomfortable at some point in a longer ride.

rustang351

Ah!? perfect, thanks

my hybird has a 50T crank set and I find myself almost free-wheeling sometimes, if that makes any sense. I'd like more resistance/top-end, but I understand what you are saying; < wind resistance = > speed.

halfspeed

Unless you have some sort of physical limitation, you may find that drops work better for you than you think. But if you find the only way you can use drops is to set them up for the same position you have on your hybrid, you won't go any faster. You will, however, gain some additional hand positions which are useful for fighting headwinds and stretching out on a long ride. If these aren't issues for you, you can probably just get taller gearing for your hybrid and save yourself a lot of money.

chaadster

The problem with most hybrids is that they're designed as comfort bikes, not speed machines. There are exceptions, though, which feature road bike like geometry and similar equipment spec, but most importantly, put the rider in a more aggressive, more aero position, thanks to longer top tubes and saddle-to-bar drop.

Simply adding a pair of bar ends adds a lot of versatility to flat bars, and if you're positioned right, that combo is just as aero as a drop bar, with probably the potential to be even more so. Take a look at the aero-obsessed tri bike scene, and you'll see what I mean.

Cfiber

+1

This is quite excellent advice!

Get a road bike with cross lever brakes and have the best of both worlds, whenever you want! For the casual neighborhood jaunt, just ride the hoods....

For the pitbull dog escape, get to the drops, and fast!

1nterceptor

Yes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jkf__aUQpE

Cfiber

Interceptor,

Dude, you are the coolest eva!

I just absolutely love your videos! Keep 'em comin'...

sedrules

I like my drop bar setup with bar ends. I have lots of hands potions for longer rides and end up riding 99% of the time on the hoods, flats, or in-between.

rustang351

Thanks for that video man! That was fun (cool songs too)
What camera did you use? I’ve heard the new Hero3s are bugged? We should do a “Ride thru your City” thread?!

I haven’t seen brake cross levers since my 80s Ross 12speed. Do they come on any current bikes now?

I found this video informative and he’s got me stoked about the Motobecane Grand Record at bikesdirect being a great value. Although it’s a little more than I wanted to spend, but it’s a great looking bike.


Does anyone know if the bikesdirect stuff comes with the handle bars on? I’ve had trouble adjusting my front derailleur in the past..

Also, do you see any riders using snow/skate helmets for better coverage, or is everyone pretty much in ‘bike helmets’?

tcdwrench

When I first returned to riding road bikes (after retirement), I thought drop bars were out due to my bad back, neck & screwed up hands. I'm now 69 years young & that was 3 years ago. Found out the drops offer lots of places for your hands, different body positions and yes, more speed. If this "old man" can ride 35 miles+ with drops, Stella Italia Kit Carbon Flow saddle AND a bad neck, back and hands, you will like drops better! Just don't forget to "fit" the bike properly. Start with looking on line for info on how to. You can also pay someone to "fit" you. Have fun, be careful, watch out for blind people driving bike wreckers.

robble

cool video interceptor. I'll never feel right complaining about the traffic or road conditions here where I live again. That would have been a pretty stressful ride for me. The music gave a sense of surreality to it lol.

chaadster

huh?

Rustang351c

It looks like I’ll need a set of interrupter brake levelers if I intend on riding mostly upright.

'levers'

I only see one cable leading to the integrated brake/shifter levers on my intended bike, so I am a little confused. Are there any tricks to separating the cables on a standard bike and installing a set of interrupter levers on the bike?

David Bierbaum

The other cable is hiding, either under the bar wrap, or routed inside the bar itself. To sneak a look, peel back that rubber brake hood cover, and look for a cable end inside.

chaadster

Why's that?

1987cp

What, no love for moustache or Albatross bars?

Drops don't work for my riding, and straights make me hurt, yet nearly all new bikes come with either drops or straights. I started liking my bike lots better when I tried a cheap moustache knockoff, but Albatrosses seem much handier in town.

https://www.rivbike.com/Nitto-Handlebars-s/107.htm

pallen

You can add the interrupter brakes to any drop bar, integrated shifter bike. You just cut the housing and install the interrupter brake inline and rethread the cable through. I would try it without the interrupter levers first. If you are riding with your hands on the hoods, you should be able to work the brakes just fine. That's the primary position they are designed for.

RollCNY

Do you mean you want to ride on the "tops", which is the flat section where interrupter levers are placed, or the "hoods", which are the brake lever rubber covers?

If your intention is to be on the tops 95% of the time, then get a flat bar. You can get bar ends for alternate hand positions for the other 5% of the time. It will be wider, more comfortable, and easier access to all the controls. If you are comfortable on the hoods 95% of the time, then get drop bars.

But in general, asking the road forum whether you should get flat bars is like asking a rabbinical convention if you should have ham for passover.

chaadster

1nterceptor

:d

Cfiber

fify