Flat bars on a road bike

[LosingFocus]

So I've decided that I'm going to go N+1 and get a more road-based bike than my dual-sus MTB for summer fun; whilst keeping the MTB for off road action (I'm only 1 mile from a lovely bit of country park with trails and woodland riding areas, so no brainer there).

Been reading up as much as I can over the last week on various road bikes and I have a good idea of what I want to go for; but one question I cant find an answer to is:

Pros and cons of drops or flats?

I've only ever ridden drops once before, I had an old Dawes racer when I was a kid but never used it as I didnt get on with the drops. I've ridden flat bars on MTBs over the years, usually with bar ends on. I know flats, I like them.

I guess, with everything, the question boils down to what will I be doing on the bike. Well, cycling isn't ever going to be (sorry to say this) #1 on my list of hobbies or things to do - family & photography all sneak in above it, taking a large slice of time and money - so I don't ever see myself going out and spending a day in the saddle reeling in mile after mile. Most of the time I get out, it tends to be when I have a spare 1-2 hours, limiting my mileage somewhat (currently around 18 miles, but that contains 30% offroad). I dont think I'm going to be a speed-freak either, I enjoy a good burst of speed, but like to cruise most of the time.

Therefore, I see myself as more of a "fitness" cyclist, rather than a road racer. I wont be commuting on the bike as I have the pleasure of being a home-based IT consultant...

The other thing to consider is that my wife and my eldest boy (4y/o) both expressed interest in cycling too, so a fair few of my rides may end up being countryside jaunts and ambles, possible with the youngest (1 y/o) in a seat on my bike.

So, would flats be a good way forward? They would offer everything I'm used to, a more relaxed riding position and better control at slower speeds. The only advantage I can see that drops would offer me are more hand hold positions.

I realise this reads like Im trying to convince myself, and I guess I am but I would love to hear other peoples views on this.

 

[HLaB]

I would base your experience of drops on an old Dawes racer. My previous experience was an old 10sp Raleigh and it put me off at first and I went the flat bar route at first. Modern drops/ integrated brakes are so much better. Some people like the more upright position of flats but afaic thats the only pro. The major cons are the lack of hand position which compared to drops becomes uncomfortable after a while. In the upright position there is also no hiding place from the wind.

 

[Wankelschrauben]

I would suggest borrowing a bike with drops for a day, or at least trying one before turning them down.

They are a lot more comfortable and stable at high speeds on the road, you can hunker down and ride with the bike rather than just plonked on top of it.

Drops are kinder on my wrists and the funky STI gear shifters are easy peasy to use on drops.

Off road however.... I took my old racer on the dry grass and dust which was fine but I wouldn't trust it on anything soggy or lose.

 

[al-fresco]

Yesterday I rode with drops for the first time in about 30 years - soooo much better - I can't see me using my flat barred MTB for anything other than going to the pub in future.

 

[mark barker]

I had the same issue a few months back, and I went for a dropped bar bike and hated it! I've swapped to a flat bar road bike and now the world is much nicer place to be! I've fitted butterfly bars so theres plenty of places to hold, but the all important brakes are where I want them to be!

 

[Norm]

So, would flats be a good way forward? They would offer everything I'm used to, a more relaxed riding position and better control at slower speeds. The only advantage I can see that drops would offer me are more hand hold positions.

I think this bit is where there's a touch of misconception about the differences.

Not the last bit, as drops do offer many more hand positions but drops in themselves are no less relaxed or controllable than flats. Comfort and control are down to the design of the rest of the bike - if you go for a cx or tourer, you'll find that the drops are considerably more relaxed and offer more control than something like a Charge Tap or Charge Mixer.

Control is (simplifying massively) down to the width of the bars, not their shape, and relaxed is down to the relationship between the bars and the saddle.

I use the drops maybe 5% of the time, maybe less than that even, but I frequently switch between the other 4 positions. I get all the control I need even on the tops, when my thumbs are probably no more than 15cm-20cm apart, and my bikes were chosen for all-day comfort. The most extreme bar/saddle bike I've got (and thus the least comfortable over a distance) is probably one with flat, straight bars.

 

[LosingFocus]

I had the same issue a few months back, and I went for a dropped bar bike and hated it! I've swapped to a flat bar road bike and now the world is much nicer place to be! I've fitted butterfly bars so theres plenty of places to hold, but the all important brakes are where I want them to be!

This ^ is what Im thinking about.

 

[LosingFocus]

I use the drops maybe 5% of the time, maybe less than that even, but I frequently switch between the other 4 positions.

Time for a dumbass question then Norm, but how do you brake if you only use the drops 5% of the time?

 

[Norm]

Time for a dumbass question then Norm, but how do you brake if you only use the drops 5% of the time?

Not at all dumbass, LF.

Firstly, you can brake from the "hoods". This is where you sit with the crook of your hand (between the thumb and index finger) on the top of the brake assembly and, in that position, your fingers naturally rest on the brake levers.

Secondly, both of my bikes with drop bars have CX-style interrupter brake levers on the tops. One of them (Specialized Tricross) came with the levers on the tops and I use them so frequently that I added the same levers to the other bike (Specialized Secteur). I've got a friendly LBS so I managed to get this second set FOC, as many people don't like them and ask for them to be removed so I just pulled a new pair out of their discards bin.

 

[LosingFocus]

Firstly, you can brake from the "hoods". This is where you sit with the crook of your hand (between the thumb and index finger) on the top of the brake assembly and, in that position, your fingers naturally rest on the brake levers.

Oh, I see. I thought the only way to brake on drops was in full drop position. This is interesting, basically a similar hand style to riding on bar-ends then, but with added use of brakes.

Secondly, both of my bikes with drop bars have CX-style interrupter brake levers on the tops. One of them (Specialized Tricross) came with the levers on the tops and I use them so frequently that I added the same levers to the other bike (Specialized Secteur). I've got a friendly LBS so I managed to get this second set FOC, as many people don't like them and ask for them to be removed so I just pulled a new pair out of their discards bin.

Now they look cool. I see they just slot in the brake wire system. Very interesting.

Thanks for this post Norm, really really helpful - albeit adding a new level of "lets go back and look at what I can afford" after I had al but decided on a 700c flatbar!

 

[asterix]

I've an expedition tourer with drops. It has MTB sized wheels and tyres and I have taken it over some pretty rough stuff (the sort that would destroy road bike wheels) quite happily, never thinking I wish I had wide straight bars. OTOH I have ridden bikes with straight bars and felt they got in the way and weren't comfortable.

However, if you have a stomach that might get in the way drop bars are only 50% useful.

 

[Norm]

Now they look cool. I see they just slot in the brake wire system. Very interesting.

Thanks for this post Norm, really really helpful - albeit adding a new level of "lets go back and look at what I can afford" after I had al but decided on a 700c flatbar!

The brakes on the tops are very useful but there's a couple of possible issues. Firstly, I don't think they work with all types of brakes, although I have wide/narrow cantis on the Tricross and dual-pivots on the Secteur and they seem to be fine with those.

Secondly, the braking power isn't as good from the CX levers. The levers are shorter so you might find an issue if you have weak fingers, although it's not an issue for a monkey farm-boi like me. The levers on the tops are useful to modulate speed (slowing for a red light or for a downhill corner), even if your fingers aren't strong enough to use them for emergency braking.

Neither of those are actually issues for me, I just want to make you aware of the possiblities.

However, if you have a stomach that might get in the way drop bars are only 50% useful.

Or, with a stomach like mine, 5%, as I said above.

 

[HLaB]

This ^ is what Im thinking about.

I find that the brakes are where I want them to be on a road bike so its not an issue for me, I probably do 90% of my riding on the hoods and if anything they seem more responsive controllable there. They are there too on the limited time I'm on the drops but I tend not to need them there. If you want to you can get inline break levers (or what ever they are called) for the flats but I don't find that an issue as Im only on the flats uphill where stopping is not an issue. I also find being able to transfer between drops, hoods and flats presents a more moveable object (if they are the right words) to a driver that they notice better.

 

[LosingFocus]

I guess a quick trip to a shop tomorrow morning (before Im on child minding duty during "the event") is the way forward to see how my like holding on the "hoods".

 

[Mad at urage]

Some people like the more upright position of flats but afaic thats the only pro. The major cons are the lack of hand position which compared to drops becomes uncomfortable after a while. In the upright position there is also no hiding place from the wind.

I've never quite understood this statement (which I often see made) .

I ride flats with bar-ends, the BEs are tilted down from the flats at about the same tilt as my brake levers.

I have five different positions I can use with these:

>On the flats - easily reach brakes, narrow position, good control for tight spaces (and hand protection from BEs). Upright position for vision and visibility. Only position I can reach the gears though.
>At the end of the flat bars - wider position for leverage, weight still back, upright position for vision and visibility but away from brakes.
>On the bar-end grips - Still upright and wide for leverage, chest 'open', weight further forward (good for hills), can reach brakes again.
>Cupping the end of the bar-ends, arms straight - sort of semi-drop position, weight forward I find this good for cross-winds (can angle the body down at the windward side).
>Cupping the end of the bar-ends, forearms leaning on the BEs - a full crouch position useful for headwinds. With elbows tucked in this is as aerodynamic as I can get (and mirrors the position on aero bars, except the elbows are not pointing at my solar plexus).

So why are flats (with bar ends) said to have more position options and supposed to be unable to get out of the wind?