doughnut

we can bring it back around

i am pretty sure aero bar users are lizard people

Phil_gretz

I'm currently reading this thread using a desktop computer that I'm told has an evil operating system, and I'm using the web browser, which comes to life when I press an icon on the toolbar.

The computer runs because of something called *software", which is a magical dust that the IT department sprinkles onto our computers at night when we're asleep.

I like bikes with drop bars much more than bikes without drop bars. Unless I'm riding in the woods or on dirt, then my bike has a basically flat bar. Is my answer okay?

mconlonx

Rode this for a while and liked the position a lot:



This same bike started life as a flat bar 1x9 urban bike. Got switched out to a 2x10 drop bar bike. Ended up like this. Before becoming a 3x10 flat bar mtn bike and being sold off.

I built a custom commuter with Nitto Noodle drop bars, bar end shifters. Tried switching to flat bars, flat bar road shifters just to check it out, but the top tube was way too short to make the reach work, even with a much longer stem. Back to compact drop bar and integrated brake/shifters, which are working out very well for me.

flat bars need to have a lot of angle to them in order for them to be comfortable to me. Much prefer something like a mustache bar. I bet I would love the Jones bars...

kickstart

Yes, your answer is OK because you have the facts correct about how computers actually work, and you state your bar choice as a personal preference rather than a fact.

snow_echo_NY

LOL where has this thread gone.

OP is there a report on how you like the no-drop-bar choice?

no motor?

[QUOTE=vatdim;17893956]About 10 years ago it was practically non-existent. It started with a few wider sidewalks in the city center getting painted over and dubbed "bike paths". Just for example, you can look at these pics here for some of the most prolific cases. Most of these have already been abandoned by the town council.[QUOTE]

Those are bad!! I hope nobody here sees them and gets any ideas for here!

no motor?

The handlebars are one of the few original pieces on my MTB, and I keep wondering what I would get if I changed them. Sometimes it's trecking bars, other times it's something like this.

Dan515

Wow. That's a Frankenbike if I ever saw one!

spare_wheel

and once again kickstart is advocating for TEOOTCFAWKI (the end of the commuting forum as we know it).

downwinded

I remember you posting pic of this bike. It looks cool but, the bars are too low for me. The hand position however is pretty close to what I am thinking about.

This weekend, on our way to the farmers market, we rode briefly with a young couple on a two week fully loaded tour. The guy had what I think was a fubar on his bike. Made me think that position is probably comfortable for extended periods of time.

I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the Sparrow in 520mm. Waiting (im)patiently for delivery.

OP, glad you had some options and if your situation changes, I'm sure you will be able to find something else that works for you. Just be careful posting about it...

Agent Cooper

I commute on drop bars.

Do what works for you. Everybody's different. *non-committal shrug*

mijome07

Years back, I commuted and rode everywhere (including MTB trails) on a 29er w/ drops. Never had a problem in traffic. And that's in a overcrowded+city=a gang of drivers.

I'm currently building up a 90's TREK MTB w/ drops for a touring conversion. I'll also use this for commuting and everything else.

Dan515

Just commuted on my fiancee's dutch-style bike in 30*C weather. I thought "It's a beautiful day. Maybe I should try her bike to have a more leisurely commute." The 16km route has rolling hills, and with the heat, the upright position, and weight of the bike, I was miserable. I was wishing I had my CX bike to move faster, or at least something lighter to offset the draggy feel of the bike. I almost feel that that sort of really upright position is only really appropriate for flatter and/or shorter commutes. Feels very inefficient and unnecessarily slow. The engine isn't super fit, but I can manage some of the same hills on the commute with a higher gear than I was spinning on her bike.

Nice to have 1.75" tires and a suspension post vs my usual 25mm Armadillo tires though!

mcours2006

I know exactly what you mean! I wished, too, that I could ride more leisurely on my commute, but something about being out at that time of the day, whether it's morning or late afternoon, that makes me want to not be out. It's certainly not like riding with my kids on a Sunday afternoon.

I used to commute on flat-bar/hybrid type bikes. But now I am exclusively on drop bars. The head wind today was miserable coming home, like a good 30km/h gust. I was on the drops for 90% of the time. It made a HUGE difference. Can't imagine being upright and exposed to the wind on an upright.

danorano

I commute mostly riding on sidewalks. I do not trust the road, even when there are bike lanes. In this day of texting adds a whole new dimension of danger. I find a flat bar, with bar ends is the perfect combination. I am always upright and able to constantly survey the situation, and can very quickly move my hand back to the grips to brake, or shift which I do a lot navigating between the streets and sidewalks. Flats work very well for making sharp turns which is also required when maneuvering sidewalks, driveways, gutters, etc.

Stadjer

I think it's mainly about speed, up to 13 mph air isn't that hard to push aside but when you want to go faster, it's not a leisurely ride anymore. Head wind has about the same effect, so the speed has to come down further to keep it relaxed. But I ride an upright 3-speed in a very windy area and I don't sweat while cycling, but I hardly get out of 3rd gear.

Bike Gremlin

Prefer flat bars for utility cycling for several reasons. I cut mine narrow, so no problems when filtering. They are more convenient when riding with just one hand and carrying something in the other. Less problems of the bike getting entangled with others when parked at a crowded bike parking.

As for the commute itself, I do like drop bars more. I can stay on the tops if I want to sit more upright and look over the cars around me.