Road bike: Flatbar vs Drop bar

[Lou Zealand]

What's better for a road cycling? A flat bar or a drop bar?

Looking at the Scott S50 but not sure about the flat bar it has...

[stewie911]

If the one was better, you wouldn't really get the other one. You can ask for pro's and con's of each, but comes down to prefference

[CAAD4]

Don't know the S50, but as someone who started out on an MTB I came very close to converting my previous Dale road bike to a flat bar set up a few years ago, as I was very uncomfortable. Just couldn't bring myself to do it. I persevered and became used to the riding position. I still smile at the thought of flying past some pretentious roadie whilst sitting upright with a flat bar set up at 50kph.....

[KaKa]

I ride my RD bike about 7 weeks a year, mostly MTB. At first the rd bike

was very uncomfortable, still is but with stretching I got used to the position.

Now a can ride 3hrs easily. The lower position comes in handy in the wind

Although it is difficult to keep it, but it is a option. Where as the flat bar will work your triceps in the lower position, I can’t keep low with the flat bar for long

Then there is the many hand positions

 

Some points to consider

Edited October 26, 2010 by Kaka'

[Zeps]

What do you want a racing bike or a tourer round the suburb bike? Simple hey!

[levett]

I have wondered the same thing myself, and there are a couple of threads on here about the subject.

 

For us 'fun riders', I think 'Flat Bars' are a very good idea - ask yourself how often you use the drops!

 

The problem used to be (with Shimano 10-Speed Road Bikes) the cost of the 10-Speed flat bar shifters! Now, with the advent of 10-Speed MTB Groupsets, it must be possible and cheaper (though someone needs to do a trail to see if the MTB 10-Speed Shifters work with 10-Speed road derailleurs).

 

From a 'comfort' point of vies, I think it's a good idear for the people who will never be 'race snakes'

[scott]

Hi there

changed my Giant T C R c to flat bar . its great comfy and is set up very close to my M T B measurement. 10 spd shifters were a prob to find so brought in a pr from CRC. Did the Amashova on the T C R and was great

[CAAD4]

Hi there

changed my Giant T C R c to flat bar . its great comfy and is set up very close to my M T B measurement. 10 spd shifters were a prob to find so brought in a pr from CRC. Did the Amashova on the T C R and was great

 

Hi Scott. Please show us a picture of your flat bar machine.

[scott]

will take photo tonite and post tomorrow

[GuyP]

Funny, I've just converted my wife's RC3000 to flat bar. She loves her MTB, and was riding the road bike very infrequently because she didn't like 'curly handlebars'.

 

 

Works for her. So I mentioned the style police in passing ... apparently they better watch out - she's not in the mood for any of their lip lol!

 

Now she want's a triple chainring so she's got as much flexibility as her MTB, on the road. So I've ordered a compact road triple - 50-39-30. Anything to be sure she's happy out on the road!

[scott]

also got a Scott Speedster S3 with flat bar for GF

[CAAD4]

Hey you guys might start a trend. Now do you use MTB pedals and wear baggies?

[GuyP]

Funny, I've just converted my wife's RC3000 to flat bar. She loves her MTB, and was riding the road bike very infrequently because she didn't like 'curly handlebars'.

 

 

Works for her. So I mentioned the style police in passing ... apparently they better watch out - she's not in the mood for any of their lip lol!

 

Now she want's a triple chainring so she's got as much flexibility as her MTB, on the road. So I've ordered a compact road triple - 50-39-30. Anything to be sure she's happy out on the road!

 

Here's a pic

[levett]

Hey you guys might start a trend. Now do you use MTB pedals and wear baggies?

I do use MTB Pedals on my Road Bike (same thought process - consistant interface), and you'd be amazed how many people do! I reckon that, at the Satellite Challenge, 50% of the riders had either flat pedals, toe clips, or MTB SPD-type pedals! (by the way, for you guys that did the Satellite Challenge, did you notice the %age of people on MTB's with slicks!).

[GuyP]

Hey you guys might start a trend. Now do you use MTB pedals and wear baggies?

 

For my wife, MTB pedals - the flexibility of walking around restaurants and coffee shops. Baggies or Lycra, depending on how she's feeling on the day

[scott]

use M T B pedals to save on the shoes :0)