I am baffled by drop handlebars.

[T4tomo]

Sounds like the bike the OP tried was far too big. my son tried tried to have a go on my 57cm Bianchi and was in a similar situation and didn't even leave the garage! I think his bike is 51cm, which he had no trouble at all with.

 

[GuyBoden]

http://bikeretrogrouch.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/changing-positions.html

Thanks, good info, I remember reading that a while back. I find the height difference between the saddle and handle bars on most modern road bikes is set too high for my old bones. My perineum would be very sore if I spent a long time on the drops in that position.

Quote:
(a "recreational" rider might even want their bars a little higher still (although we could be defining "recreational" differently) -- maybe within an inch of the top of the saddle.)

I find this setup more comfy:

 

[MarquisMatsugae]

For touring?

I was joking of course (you're very serious sometimes vickster),but now that you mention it,I'm sure plenty of people tour on MTB frames.

 

[bonsaibilly]

Far too many possible answers without more detail. How tall are you? What bikes specifically have you tried? What size were they? Were they old style or new style drop handlebar bikes? Were you riding "on the hoods" or "on the drops"?

My immediate reaction on first reading your post was "they're riding on the drops as a default position" because that seemed to link in with your note about your wrists being tortured.

bb

 

[MontyVeda]

I was joking of course (you're very serious sometimes vickster),but now that you mention it,I'm sure plenty of people tour on MTB frames.

That's my plan. It's fully rigid so shouldn't be too bad... it's the 2.35 tyres that'll hold me back more than anything, those and the hills of course.

 

[mjr]

My immediate reaction on first reading your post was "they're riding on the drops as a default position" because that seemed to link in with your note about your wrists being tortured.

Riding on the drops shouldn't torture wrists if the bike's set up right. Main reason I don't use the drops more is that I can't see shoot behind me as easily and I've got used to that from my other bikes!

 

[MarquisMatsugae]

That's my plan. It's fully rigid so shouldn't be too bad... it's the 2.35 tyres that'll hold me back more than anything, those and the hills of course.

What size tyre are you thinking of ?
1.9 seems a happy medium ,as that is what I had on my old (and sold ) rigid.
I went with Conti Touring Plus Reflex last time.Seemed pretty fast rolling and grippy for a semi slick

 

[snorri]

All the real cyclists seem to love drop handlebars .

Really?

 

[Blue Hills]

Many people seem to set their bikes up to be comfortable on the hoods/tops rather than the drops, which I cannot understand

mm , interesting comment - so it's a question of being comfortable on one or the other? Too much to hope that both positions might be comfortable?

 

[screenman]

Riding on the drops shouldn't torture wrists if the bike's set up right. Main reason I don't use the drops more is that I can't see shoot behind me as easily and I've got used to that from my other bikes!

I am a bit different there, I tend to look back under my arm so the drops work better than my straights. Of course though whatever works for you, as long as you look back when needed.

 

[T4tomo]

mm , interesting comment - so it's a question of being comfortable on one or the other? Too much to hope that both positions might be comfortable?

Mine is / are fine hoods or drops. My best bike has quite shallow drops which probably helps. The beauty of drops is that there are a variety of hand and hence body positions which helps with comfort on long rides.
And make sure you have a bend in the elbows at all times. Stiff arms will just transfer every vibration to your back / neck / shoulders. Your arms should act a natural shock absorbers

 

[EnPassant]

Much prefer dropped hoods to straights. If i put my hands out in front of me they just naturally assume that sort of position, hands vertical with thumbs towards the inside and fingers outside, nowhere near the palms facing downwards used for straights, I assume this may be why people like the bar ends, but I'm no expert.

Braking and changing gear is easy, natural and causes no stress anywhere. I actually find the drops a bit of pain because both braking and gear change require a stretch, but I'll use them occasionally, and the tops, just for a change of position. Having cx brake repeaters helps with the tops position. But mostly it's just hoods the whole time, comfortable with that. Perhaps that's just me though.

 

[Blue Hills]

Much prefer dropped hoods to straights. If i put my hands out in front of me they just naturally assume that sort of position, hands vertical with thumbs towards the inside and fingers outside, nowhere near the palms facing downwards used for straights, I assume this may be why people like the bar ends, but I'm no expert.

Yes. True. Can't speak for others but that's one of the reasons I like bar ends - no twisted wrist. Spend much of my casual riding time on the bar ends. And often the less casual time when climbing.

 

[johnnyb47]

I much prefer my road bike with drops compared to my mountain bike. Holding the bars on any bike in the same position for a prolonged amount of time becomes uncomfortable and a bike with straight bars only gives you two positions if its fitted with bar ends. With drops you can adopt three positions and goes along way in transferring any pressure points in your hands on a long ride. If I'm heading into a headwind or climbing I usually get right down on the drops but when my back starts to feel it I will adopt a more upright position. I've tried all sorts of adjustments on my mountain bike but I still end up with pins and needles in my hands but on my road bike I can ride for miles and feel comfortable.

 

[Blue Hills]

Ia bike with straight bars only gives you two positions if its fitted with bar ends. .

With some longer bar ends you effectively have three hand positions - enough for me. If some folk prefer drops, fine of course.