new member... question
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2024
Posts: 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
new member... question
Hello, this is my first post here. I've been a cyclist for decades and have done a number of bike camping trips over the years. I live in a city, Portland, OR and don't do much cycling at all these days and even less over the past few years. I got into photography and generally hike around the city taking photos, which works less well from a bike. Anyway, though I have a few bikes, I'm thinking that a new one might inspire me to ride more, once things thaw out a bit and the idea of riding around the city is more attractive. I like road style bikes - ones with skinny tires and low rolling resistance. I've looked at several in the local internet ads that look great and are priced very attractively. My only issue is that nearly every bike that's the kind of really efficient road style thing I want, has drop bars, which I don't really love. I modded out an old road bike I have with bullhorn bars, which I prefer, but it's not like I've ridden that bike all that much since the mod and I wonder of there's some issue with changing a drop bar bike to one with bullhorn bars?
Basically, my question is if I swap drop bars for bullhorns on a typical road bike, am I messing up the ergonomics enough to where I ought to simply look for a bike that's designed from the ground up to have different bars (probably flat bars, which could work too, though not my preference)? Also, if I were to make that swap, what then to do with brake levers and gear shifters? I realize that I probably won't be able to use the same stuff with the bullhorn bars...
Finally, what should I be looking for in a road bike? I've seen lots of bikes for sale that seem to be gently used and are probably pennies on the dollar, including a pretty inexpensive carbon fiber one. Is something like that really preferable though to an aluminum one, at least for someone like me who's just an occasional, non-serious rider?
Basically, my question is if I swap drop bars for bullhorns on a typical road bike, am I messing up the ergonomics enough to where I ought to simply look for a bike that's designed from the ground up to have different bars (probably flat bars, which could work too, though not my preference)? Also, if I were to make that swap, what then to do with brake levers and gear shifters? I realize that I probably won't be able to use the same stuff with the bullhorn bars...
Finally, what should I be looking for in a road bike? I've seen lots of bikes for sale that seem to be gently used and are probably pennies on the dollar, including a pretty inexpensive carbon fiber one. Is something like that really preferable though to an aluminum one, at least for someone like me who's just an occasional, non-serious rider?
#2
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,992
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6196 Post(s)
Liked 4,811 Times
in
3,319 Posts
IMO, buying another bike probably isn't going to inspire you to ride more. Having friends that cycle a lot and riding with them might. A change in your health that gets you concerned might encourage you to ride more or some other reason that just gives you that aha moment that gives a shove to your desire to ride more.
Steel, aluminum, carbon, titanium, bamboo and etc are all just materials that bikes can be built from. Higher prices of some are just due to the cost of manufacturing and not that any is particularly better. However the more expensive bikes tend to be made with more care and quality as who is going to pay that much for something that is poorly built.
On a road bike, drop bars are the norm. And for good reason. It gives you several hand positions that you can swap to as you ride which not only helps with giving you a little more aero position to go faster, but also just changes your hands up so they don't stay in one position for 60 miles and get numb. If you are going to buy a bike and swap bars, you need to realize that the bars you pick will alter the way you fit to the bike. And STI's on a drop bar bike won't work well on a flat bar. Getting shift and brake levers might make that simple bar change expensive.
Personally, I'd recommend a drop bar road bike. Get one that appeals to you and the newer the better as it'll have newer components and more gear selection on the rear. Which isn't everything, but it helps to have a choice of gears when riding with others so you can pick the gear and cadence you like for the speed of the group you are with. Which very well may not be the gear and cadence any of them prefer to use as they may be more or less fit than you.
Buy a bike that you can easily afford. That way you can get another after you've gotten some experience, become stronger and fitter at cycling and find that bike no longer does well for you.
Welcome to BF.
Steel, aluminum, carbon, titanium, bamboo and etc are all just materials that bikes can be built from. Higher prices of some are just due to the cost of manufacturing and not that any is particularly better. However the more expensive bikes tend to be made with more care and quality as who is going to pay that much for something that is poorly built.
On a road bike, drop bars are the norm. And for good reason. It gives you several hand positions that you can swap to as you ride which not only helps with giving you a little more aero position to go faster, but also just changes your hands up so they don't stay in one position for 60 miles and get numb. If you are going to buy a bike and swap bars, you need to realize that the bars you pick will alter the way you fit to the bike. And STI's on a drop bar bike won't work well on a flat bar. Getting shift and brake levers might make that simple bar change expensive.
Personally, I'd recommend a drop bar road bike. Get one that appeals to you and the newer the better as it'll have newer components and more gear selection on the rear. Which isn't everything, but it helps to have a choice of gears when riding with others so you can pick the gear and cadence you like for the speed of the group you are with. Which very well may not be the gear and cadence any of them prefer to use as they may be more or less fit than you.
Buy a bike that you can easily afford. That way you can get another after you've gotten some experience, become stronger and fitter at cycling and find that bike no longer does well for you.
Welcome to BF.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 1,995
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2700 Post(s)
Liked 486 Times
in
351 Posts
There are plenty of skinny tire fast bikes that have bullhorns, but they aren’t as common. If I were you I’d find a fast looking bike that already has bullhorns or flat bars on it so you don’t have incompatible brakes and shifters.
Likes For LarrySellerz:
#4
Full Member
If you've 'been a cyclist for decades' and 'own a few bikes', how can you be so in the dark regarding bicycles? Serious question, not trying to be snarky. And welcome to BF
Likes For Outrider1:
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,885
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3242 Post(s)
Liked 2,089 Times
in
1,182 Posts
Simple answer is go buy what is known as a "hybrid". Somewhat skinny tired bike with a flat bar. Buying a road bike, even used, then modifying to use a flat bar means replacing the shifters, likely the front and rear derailers, maybe the brakes and brake levers, etc..... it get expensive in a hurry.. Problem with hybrids is they generally are not built with the top end components that tend to last linger and work better. And I too am puzzled that for somebody who is already experienced at touring and who owns a few bikes, it's an odd question.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: South Shore of Long Island
Posts: 2,800
Bikes: 2010 Carrera Volans, 2015 C-Dale Trail 2sl, 2017 Raleigh Rush Hour, 2017 Blue Proseccio, 1992 Giant Perigee, 80s Gitane Rallye Tandem
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,026 Times
in
723 Posts
I'd check out something like the trek FX3 which is a performance hybrid; aluminum frame, carbon fork, flat bars, hydraulic disc brakes and a simple to use 1x drivetrain. If looking used, try to find an older FX 7.7 or FX 7.6, those had geometry similar to a modern adventure/gravel bike with performance tires, really nice frames and road wheels.
#7
Method to My Madness
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 3,664
Bikes: Trek FX 2, Cannondale Synapse, Cannondale CAAD4, Santa Cruz Stigmata GRX
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1949 Post(s)
Liked 1,473 Times
in
1,020 Posts
I have not ridden on bullhorns, so I may be missing something -- but what is oh so different about riding on bullhorns than on the hoods of a contemporary drop bar?
Also, if you are adamant about having bullhorns, can you just install these:
Cinelli Bullhorn Handlebar 31.8 mm Black (santafixie.com)
... but upside-down, then clamp the STI levers on the ends, which have the same diameter? The reach is probably too long, so you would need a shorter stem, which may put the tops too close. But oh well ...
Also, if you are adamant about having bullhorns, can you just install these:
Cinelli Bullhorn Handlebar 31.8 mm Black (santafixie.com)
... but upside-down, then clamp the STI levers on the ends, which have the same diameter? The reach is probably too long, so you would need a shorter stem, which may put the tops too close. But oh well ...
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 1,995
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2700 Post(s)
Liked 486 Times
in
351 Posts
I have not ridden on bullhorns, so I may be missing something -- but what is oh so different about riding on bullhorns than on the hoods of a contemporary drop bar?
Also, if you are adamant about having bullhorns, can you just install these:
Cinelli Bullhorn Handlebar 31.8 mm Black (santafixie.com)
... but upside-down, then clamp the STI levers on the ends, which have the same diameter? The reach is probably too long, so you would need a shorter stem, which may put the tops too close. But oh well ...
Also, if you are adamant about having bullhorns, can you just install these:
Cinelli Bullhorn Handlebar 31.8 mm Black (santafixie.com)
... but upside-down, then clamp the STI levers on the ends, which have the same diameter? The reach is probably too long, so you would need a shorter stem, which may put the tops too close. But oh well ...
#9
Newbie
Hello, this is my first post here. I've been a cyclist for decades and have done a number of bike camping trips over the years. I live in a city, Portland, OR and don't do much cycling at all these days and even less over the past few years. I got into photography and generally hike around the city taking photos, which works less well from a bike. Anyway, though I have a few bikes, I'm thinking that a new one might inspire me to ride more, once things thaw out a bit and the idea of riding around the city is more attractive. I like road style bikes - ones with skinny tires and low rolling resistance. I've looked at several in the local internet ads that look great and are priced very attractively. My only issue is that nearly every bike that's the kind of really efficient road style thing I want, has drop bars, which I don't really love. I modded out an old road bike I have with bullhorn bars, which I prefer, but it's not like I've ridden that bike all that much since the mod and I wonder of there's some issue with changing a drop bar bike to one with bullhorn bars?
Basically, my question is if I swap drop bars for bullhorns on a typical road bike, am I messing up the ergonomics enough to where I ought to simply look for a bike that's designed from the ground up to have different bars (probably flat bars, which could work too, though not my preference)? Also, if I were to make that swap, what then to do with brake levers and gear shifters? I realize that I probably won't be able to use the same stuff with the bullhorn bars...
Finally, what should I be looking for in a road bike? I've seen lots of bikes for sale that seem to be gently used and are probably pennies on the dollar, including a pretty inexpensive carbon fiber one. Is something like that really preferable though to an aluminum one, at least for someone like me who's just an occasional, non-serious rider?
Basically, my question is if I swap drop bars for bullhorns on a typical road bike, am I messing up the ergonomics enough to where I ought to simply look for a bike that's designed from the ground up to have different bars (probably flat bars, which could work too, though not my preference)? Also, if I were to make that swap, what then to do with brake levers and gear shifters? I realize that I probably won't be able to use the same stuff with the bullhorn bars...
Finally, what should I be looking for in a road bike? I've seen lots of bikes for sale that seem to be gently used and are probably pennies on the dollar, including a pretty inexpensive carbon fiber one. Is something like that really preferable though to an aluminum one, at least for someone like me who's just an occasional, non-serious rider?
#10
Method to My Madness
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 3,664
Bikes: Trek FX 2, Cannondale Synapse, Cannondale CAAD4, Santa Cruz Stigmata GRX
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1949 Post(s)
Liked 1,473 Times
in
1,020 Posts
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 939
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 539 Post(s)
Liked 466 Times
in
259 Posts
I have not ridden on bullhorns, so I may be missing something -- but what is oh so different about riding on bullhorns than on the hoods of a contemporary drop bar?
Also, if you are adamant about having bullhorns, can you just install these:
Cinelli Bullhorn Handlebar 31.8 mm Black (santafixie.com)
... but upside-down, then clamp the STI levers on the ends, which have the same diameter? The reach is probably too long, so you would need a shorter stem, which may put the tops too close. But oh well ...
Also, if you are adamant about having bullhorns, can you just install these:
Cinelli Bullhorn Handlebar 31.8 mm Black (santafixie.com)
... but upside-down, then clamp the STI levers on the ends, which have the same diameter? The reach is probably too long, so you would need a shorter stem, which may put the tops too close. But oh well ...
Bullhorns will allow a slightly more stretched out position and your hands will be more vertical than horizontal like the top of a drop bar. They are a good option for someone who mostly rides on the hoods but would like to occasionally change wrist position and be slightly more aggressively positioned.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 728
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 365 Post(s)
Liked 419 Times
in
248 Posts
Basically, my question is if I swap drop bars for bullhorns on a typical road bike, am I messing up the ergonomics enough to where I ought to simply look for a bike that's designed from the ground up to have different bars (probably flat bars, which could work too, though not my preference)? Also, if I were to make that swap, what then to do with brake levers and gear shifters? I realize that I probably won't be able to use the same stuff with the bullhorn bars...
Finally, what should I be looking for in a road bike? I've seen lots of bikes for sale that seem to be gently used and are probably pennies on the dollar, including a pretty inexpensive carbon fiber one. Is something like that really preferable though to an aluminum one, at least for someone like me who's just an occasional, non-serious rider?
As for material: I have no reason to disbelieve people who claim that there's a significant difference in ride between steel/carbon/aluminum/titanium/etc. But I, personally, have never really noticed a difference. Fit, geometry, tires (size/pressure/construction), weight, heck even the width of the bar - have had more of an effect on the "feel" of a bike than the frame or fork material in my experience.
Last edited by noimagination; 01-24-24 at 07:07 AM.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,443
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 626 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 400 Times
in
276 Posts
Crazy Bars are a drop bar replacement that doesn't change much.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,885
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3242 Post(s)
Liked 2,089 Times
in
1,182 Posts
If
As for material: I have no reason to disbelieve people who claim that there's a significant difference in ride between steel/carbon/aluminum/titanium/etc. But I, personally, have never really noticed a difference. Fit, geometry, tires (size/pressure/construction), weight, heck even the width of the bar - have had more of an effect on the "feel" of a bike than the frame or fork material in my experience.
As for material: I have no reason to disbelieve people who claim that there's a significant difference in ride between steel/carbon/aluminum/titanium/etc. But I, personally, have never really noticed a difference. Fit, geometry, tires (size/pressure/construction), weight, heck even the width of the bar - have had more of an effect on the "feel" of a bike than the frame or fork material in my experience.