Handlebars

[eskimo]

I have a Ridgeback flight 01 hybrid bike with flat handlebars. I am going on one of my first proper tours of Scotland soon and was wondering if these handlebars would be sore on my wrists over a few days/week of cycling. Are there alternatives to flat bars? Or is it unlikely to be a problem?

Apologies for my ignorance, fairly new to cycling...

 

[ASC1951]

It depends on your riding style. I like the variety of positions that you get with drops, but a lot of people prefer a more upright stance. You can get butterfly bars, which have the advantages (and disadvantages) of both, but your best bet is to go for some long - 75 mile+ - out-and-back days first to see how you get on.

It's a bit of a faff changing bars and if you have to fit different brakes it's an expensive faff.

 

[HLaB]

Have you got bar ends fitted eskimo? that a cheap and fast way to get another hand position.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

As ASC1951 says it's be a pain/expense to change bars without knowing if it's going to be of any benefit. As a cheap method of providing a change of hand position you could probably fit bar ends without having to alter too much else.

Edit: HLaB beat me to it!

 

[raindog]

+1 to the last two posts - bar ends essential, especially for climbing.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Also, there's no reason why you can't use a cheap pair of tr-bars either on a flat-bar bike to give your whole upper body a change of cycle postion. You don't need to be going a zillion mph to find benefit from them.

 

[mcshroom]

Have you got bar ends fitted eskimo? that a cheap and fast way to get another hand position.

+1

I put some on my flat bar hybrid and they they have made a real difference for me.

 

[psmiffy]

+1 to the last two posts - bar ends essential, especially for climbing.

I find the Cane Creek stlyle bar ends give me enough hand positions on straight bars and would not think of not having them as said above particulaly for climbing - they also allow the shoulders to be a little more open - helps with breathing - however I would go out on a day ride and find out

 

[eskimo]

Ok thanks for the replies guys. bar ends seem to be the way forward!

 

[Gerry Attrick]

I can recommend Ergo's. I fitted them to my hybrid recently and they have transformed the bike. Very comfy now.

 

[Rob3rt]

Also, there's no reason why you can't use a cheap pair of tr-bars either on a flat-bar bike to give your whole upper body a change of cycle postion. You don't need to be going a zillion mph to find benefit from them.

Yup, I agree with this suggestion, something like the Profile Century bars, they are made more for touring than aero, will allow you to stretch out and get a different possition, excellent for long straight roads, will let you get some extra speed as a by product. Aero bars are very comfy when set up in a relaxed angle.