Did you change from Hybrid to Drop Bar Bike

[Rusty Nails]

Road bikes to me are the definition on a one trick pony - go fast. For practicality, comfort and sheer enjoyment, I feel that others bikes do this better plus I know you don't have to dress in the lycra gear to ride a road bike but I always feel I have to. Other bikes, it's whatever yee've on ye.

How do you define a road bike? These days the variety is huge and drop bar bikes cover a range from out and out racing through touring and gravel bikes. I have all three plus a flat-bar hybrid and an mtb, and for the three characteristics outlined above by far my favourite and go-to bike is my drop-bar Genesis Datum. With 32mm tyres it is at home on dirt tracks as well as roads and imo more comfortable over longer distances than the flat-bar bikes.

Don't rule anything out until you try it.

 

[si_c]

The problem is that I find only 56 size models. I do understand that the reach can be adjusted by changing the neck of the bars, but since I’m 1,90m I don’t know if the seatpost will be able to go as high as it should to accommodate me comfortably. That’s why I’m asking. Because I can only buy online since I can’t find any suitable bikes to test them in my area. If you have any suggestions regarding this matter, I’d appreciate it. If not it’s ok. I know I might be asking a bit too much anyway. Thank you for your reply though.

I would say that at 1.9m tall a 56 is likely way to small for you. I'm 1.96m and I ride bikes sized between 61cm and 63cm.

You don't say what brand of bikes you are looking at or what bike you have now, but a good starting point when looking at bikes is to check the stack and reach measurements on the geometry table. You want something close-ish to what you are currently riding so that you can comfortably adjust if needed by changing the stem length, seatpost height and saddle position.

 

[Alex321]

I would say that at 1.9m tall a 56 is likely way to small for you. I'm 1.96m and I ride bikes sized between 61cm and 63cm.

Height alone is not a sufficient guide. Your inseam is more important than your height.

I'm 175cm (5' 9") in height, but only have a 74cm inseam (29"), which means I ride a smaller bike than most people my height.

You don't say what brand of bikes you are looking at or what bike you have now, but a good starting point when looking at bikes is to check the stack and reach measurements on the geometry table. You want something close-ish to what you are currently riding so that you can comfortably adjust if needed by changing the stem length, seatpost height and saddle position.

Agreed. This is the most important thing, if you can't manage a test ride.

 

[Ste T.]

I went the other way. Arthritic thumbs made drops too painful, while I was pleased to find straights with small bar ends actually massage the pain away as I ride. 😊👍

 

[kellywr10]

I'm the opposite. Started with drop bars as a teenager and as I've gotten older I find a flat bar bike is more comfortable. It really depends on what kind of riding you are doing. As I've gotten fatter being more upright is definitely more comfortable and easier on the shoulders.

 

[simongt]

At 71, I've played about with various types of bars including butterfly, but have happily settled for straight for my Brompton and 'standard' drops for my audax and tourer bikes.
Takes all sorts, go with whatever suits you best.