drops - what's the point

[Yellow Fang]

Drop handlebars, what really is the point of them? For long bike rides it's good to have a change of hand position, but do you really need drops? I spend most the time with my hands on the tops. If I'm going a bit faster then I put my hands on the hoods. I rarely ever use the drops, and I rarely ever see anyone else do either. I reckon I'd be just as well off with straight bars with bar-ends, or aero bars. If I did use straight bars, then the gear shifters and brake levers are cheaper.

When I had straight bars on my Ridgeback Genesis fast commuter, I found I needed another hand position for climbing hills and to avoid pins and needles. I tried a variety of bar ends, but they all looked wrong, so eventually I got drops. It definitely looks better with drops, but I'm not sure that they add much else.

The ski type bar-ends were the most comfortable and allowed me to get low down the most. They just looked crap. I think it was because my handlebars weren't quite straight; they had a slight up and back sweep. If the bars were straight then the bar-ends would have looked alright.

If I were building a bike up from scratch, I think I'd use a bullhorn style handlebar with MTB rapidfire gear shifters and separate gear levers.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

it is called 'headwind' flat bar riders nearly always cover the same distance slower than their drop bar sisters and brothers......

 

[Randochap]

Because its there.

 

[Bigtwin]

Almost never use the drops. I'd put courier bars on me bestest bike, but the cables aren't long enough. Tops and hoods for me 95% of the time. Only really use the drops on descents where I need the leverage on the brakes.

 

[MajorMantra]

Are you not comfortable on the hoods? If this isn't your default position then is it possible your bike is a touch too large for you?

I love drops. There is a good variety for hand positioning (I can think of at least 5 positions) and it's nice to be able to get low in the drops for high speed descending or nasty headwinds.

Bullhorns would probably be the next best thing but I'd never go back to flat bars.

Matthew

 

[Randochap]

OK, seriously ... if you aren't comfortable using drops it likely has more to do with fit than anything else.

I can't think of another reason a cyclist who is riding any distance would choose flat bars. The restriction of positions, especially the loss of the drops for riding against the wind just doesn't cut it, so to speak.

I'm a creaky old git and yet the only bike I'd choose upright bars for would be an about-towner.

Think about "compact" bars. They have less drop, but still give a good tuck position.

 

[Davidc]

I have usually had drops (since about age 16, so 40+ years!), but at present only have straight bars, and for quite a time I used my children's bikes - in their teens/ twenties but the bikes were a bit small. One of them had bar ends both were flat bars.

The straight bars on my present bike are good for around town, but having only one position I get pins and needles going more than about 5 miles. The bar ends used to help a bit with that, but were most use standing to go up hills.

With drops, like you and everyone else, I spend 80-90% of the time using the tops or the hoods. When it comes to hills I find that getting hands down on the drops can't be beaten by any other bars. That goes for sitting or standing. It's even more the case when heading into the wind. Getting down when there's a headwind gives the lowest wind resistance together with maximum power and comfort.

Ultimately it's down to personal preference. If you go any distance you need comfort, and if you find a particular type and configuration of bars gives the least cramp, pins and needles etc. then go for it. For shorter town use I think straight bars, cut so they're shoulder width, are actually safer and easier.

I'm hoping to get a tourer again at some stage, and I'll have drops. They're the only bars I can ride on all day without getting pins and needles and/ or cramp, at speed I feel much more stable, and my overall speed is a lot higher, the more so the worse the weather.

If you find bullhorn style handlebar with MTB rapidfire gear shifters and separate gear levers the most comfortable, convenient, and so on, then you should use them. You'll be happier and enjoy your bike more with them!

 

[Bigtwin]

Moustache bars - equipment of the gods,

 

[montage]

What is the point of drops?
To help win races....

 

[dodgy]

I only go on the drops if I'm trying to beat my average speed over a certain course I ride frequently. I'm slightly more comfortable on the hoods which is why it's my default riding position.

 

[Yellow Fang]

Are you not comfortable on the hoods? If this isn't your default position then is it possible your bike is a touch too large for you?

The frame is a bit tall for me. I should have bought the next frame down, but I've changed the stem for a much shorter one.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Bikes just don't look right without drops. I'd never use anything else. They're much more comfortable over any distance too.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

You can of course also get extra leverage when climbing on the drops - it's less fashionable in the pro-peloton these days but the smaller true grimpeurs have always done this.

 

[jimboalee]

If you don't like drops ( racing hooks ), don't use them.

Flat bars or Straight bars?
Or 'almost straight' bars with a slight angle in them.

Examine your hand positions when your forearms are relaxed. Your hands will probably be 'Thumbs up'. That is they will be at an angle to set the little finger lower than the index finger.

Install the 'almost straight' bars with the shafts on the downturn to suit your hand's position.

Now when you put on a pair of Bar ends, they will be positioned more appropriately to being grasped like a pair of brake hoods on a roadbike.

Positioning the handlebars 'up and back' is anotomically incorrect. The wrists are strained ALL the time and Bar ends point outwards at an uncomfortable angle.

Try it.

 

[Keith Oates]

I like using drops although I'm not down in them most of the time. However as others have said it is one more hand position to have on long rides, they are very good when going into a head wind, I use them going down steep hills as they make reaching the brakes easier and more comfortable. They also make a bike look better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!