Flat bar or drop bar ???

[TONY1974]

Hi all

have read lots on the subject but still no real answers as to what is best for fitness etc. I am looking for my first bike which will be used to go out ( occasionally) with the kids but in general for fitness. I have looked at both types and in general apart from the bars and maybe disc brakes the specs seen to be the same

Is there really a lot of difference between a road based hybrid and a full out race bike?? The riding position from the waist down appears to be the same so surely from a exercise point of view it will be the same or am i barking up the wrong tree here so to speak ??


Any advice here would be good as im looking to buy my bike very soon


Tony

 

[lulubel]

The bike that's best for fitness is a bike that you enjoy riding and want to go out on often.

Both types of bikes that you're considering are suitable for riding on roads, and most hybrids are also suitable for gentle offroad like canal paths, etc. (Some hybrids are styled more towards mountain bikes and can handle rougher stuff, but from your post, I think you're looking towards road riding.) They both have a range of specs from budget to top end, so it's really just down to choosing the style of bike that suits you and then whatever spec you want within your price range.

I'd suggest going to a couple of bike shops and getting test rides on both styles of bike. That will give you an idea of which style you're more comfortable with, and you might find one bike that feels perfect for you, and the decision will become easy.

If it's for keeping fit and having fun, there's no particular right bike except for the one that you feel happiest riding.

 

[TONY1974]

Cheers for that , i have tried both and am equally happy on either

, i did toy with the idea of getting a flat bar for when out with the kids and for running to the shops in town and then a drop bar for longer rides and serious training, shame it is not as easy to just have a spare headset all made up and change from one to the other when i wanted

 

[Rykard]

i did toy with the idea of getting a flat bar for when out with the kids and for running to the shops in town and then a drop bar for longer rides and serious training,

this sounds suspiciously like N+1 to me

 

[Yellow Fang]

I've never totally got on with drop bars myself, but you do need a change of hand position if you're going to cycle any distance.

 

[lesley_x]

I bought a flat bar hybrid and 2 months later bought a road bike.

I love drop bars and found the hybrid a bit cumbersome and awkward.

Noticed a huge difference when I got my road bike.

My Secteur has a more relaxed geometry than a full on racer and is built a bit more for comfort but is still great on acceleration, you could look into something similar?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I would say it depends on what you are used to. I am used to MTBing and so Flat / Riser bars. The new drop handled road bike is great but I find it awkward in heavy traffic. Cross brakes seem to be a solution to the issue as you can ride on the flats and brake at the same time.

 

[Banjo]

If riding slow with kids or on canal paths etc I really dont like being on the road bike.

On a long road ride I would much prefer to be on the road bike.

I think if I could only have one bike it would be a light hybrid with road tyres and carrier racks.Bar ends can give you a usefull second hand position to prevent numbness . I did my first century on a Trek Hybrid with flat pedals.

 

[lulubel]

I'm reading between the lines here, and I'm getting the impression that what you want is a road bike with drops, but think a hybrid would be more practical.

If that's the case, I'd say get the road bike. If you don't, you'll always have that niggling feeling of regret and feel like you're missing out. Then, if the road bike doesn't work out for riding with the kids, and you have the funds available, you could always buy a cheaper hybrid for family rides.

 

[Rykard]

or buy one of each (road to n+1)

 

[TONY1974]

I'm reading between the lines here, and I'm getting the impression that what you want is a road bike with drops, but think a hybrid would be more practical.

If that's the case, I'd say get the road bike. If you don't, you'll always have that niggling feeling of regret and feel like you're missing out. Then, if the road bike doesn't work out for riding with the kids, and you have the funds available, you could always buy a cheaper hybrid for family rides.

Yep you got it in one i think