Drop bars or straights?
07-10-18, 10:09 AM
#26
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I have several long climbs that are best done on the sidewalk next to a very busy 4 lane road. The sidewalk is also wide and busy. I'm riding at nearly walking pace because of the steep hill. Buy a few less inches of potential interference with distracted pedestrians is worthwhile where I ride.
07-10-18, 10:22 AM
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Well obviously flat bars are more maneuverable in close quarters, which is why crit racers always use flat bars. 
07-10-18, 10:53 AM
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I have several long climbs that are best done on the sidewalk next to a very busy 4 lane road. The sidewalk is also wide and busy. I'm riding at nearly walking pace because of the steep hill. Buy a few less inches of potential interference with distracted pedestrians is worthwhile where I ride.
07-10-18, 11:11 AM
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But I ride my bikes other places and see no point in a mountain bike with too-short bars or a road bike with one hand position.
Last edited by Kontact; 07-10-18 at 11:21 AM.
07-10-18, 11:43 AM
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I'm not interested in converting anyone on their choice of bars, just standing by my original comment regarding bar width because it's true:
"Flat bars don't have to be any wider than shoulder width"
So while someone can say they like drop bars for other reasons, bar width can't be one of them. Flat bars provide the ultimate in width adjustability.
"Flat bars don't have to be any wider than shoulder width"
So while someone can say they like drop bars for other reasons, bar width can't be one of them. Flat bars provide the ultimate in width adjustability.
07-10-18, 05:44 PM
#31
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3rd door , figure 8 bend trekking bars , you can keep* all the control levers on your rock hopper.. offers another multiple hand position variety.. *saves money
Jones bars another pop thing for MTB.
I have straight bars and Ergon Grip/bar ends on a couple bikes too..
...
Jones bars another pop thing for MTB.
I have straight bars and Ergon Grip/bar ends on a couple bikes too..
...
Yeah the jones bars and trekking bars are intriguing. I may look into those
07-30-18, 07:48 PM
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Drop bars are uncomfortable, and any "aero" advantage is more than offset by the load most commuters carry. Additionally, being upright where it's easier to quickly look any direction is very important in traffic. Save the drop bars for the Tour de France.
07-31-18, 11:43 AM
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I like like shoulder width flat bars with trigger shifters for the street fighting parts of my ride where control is paramount , drops are great for the mellow parts.
07-31-18, 11:56 AM
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Each person is different, and there is no one answer that fits everyone.
I've ridden almost exclusively drop bars since I was about 10 years old, and they are very comfortable for me.
My new brakes are extremely strong and secure (Campy SR levers, Ultegra 6800 calipers).
I ride a variety of bikes, almost all with drop bars. But for flat out riding, the road bike takes the cake.
I've ridden almost exclusively drop bars since I was about 10 years old, and they are very comfortable for me.
My new brakes are extremely strong and secure (Campy SR levers, Ultegra 6800 calipers).
I ride a variety of bikes, almost all with drop bars. But for flat out riding, the road bike takes the cake.
07-31-18, 11:57 AM
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Maybe, maybe not, but I certainly wouldn't encourage or allow drivers to be mere inches from my handlebars, no matter how wide or narrow they are.
If a lane is too narrow to safely share then I hold a position that deters sharing it with motor traffic... as prescribed in the vehicle code.
If a lane is too narrow to safely share then I hold a position that deters sharing it with motor traffic... as prescribed in the vehicle code.
07-31-18, 08:24 PM
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Maybe, maybe not, but I certainly wouldn't encourage or allow drivers to be mere inches from my handlebars, no matter how wide or narrow they are.
If a lane is too narrow to safely share then I hold a position that deters sharing it with motor traffic... as prescribed in the vehicle code.
If a lane is too narrow to safely share then I hold a position that deters sharing it with motor traffic... as prescribed in the vehicle code.
07-31-18, 10:03 PM
#37
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I’ve used both. I’m almost ready to try a Jones or Moloko.
Bike share bikes seem to work fine in traffic with flat handlebars
Bike share bikes seem to work fine in traffic with flat handlebars
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