Losing the fun...and the drops?!?!!

[chewy]

Alot of my cycling lately has been geared towards preparing for my first (100km) sportive and I think I've forgotten that its meant to be FUN and not just about getting in the milage! This has left me a little lacking in the enthusiasm department.

So have decided to back off a little and see if less is more, also may join a club or find a partner to ride with as that may inspire more too.

Am also question my choice of drop bars as I just don't seem to be comfortable with them at the moment. Am considering converting to a flat bar (as if Im doing less than 50 miles from now on then hand positions wont really come into it!). or do I persevere for a while and maybe change my mits/bar tape to see if that helps (but wont change the ride position - obviously).

Admittedly, today I was very tired before I started but all this fairly silly things are making my bike something i dont really want to spend time with...which is obviously wrong!!!

Any one else felt like this or committed the massive sin of ditching the drops for flats (and how long/distance can you get from them?!)?


Or should I just man up lol

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Flats / Bar Ends = job done.

 

[screenman]

Have you got the correct drops, are you flexible, is your position on the bike correct, so many questions.

I would suggest with your aim joining a club would be a good idea, it adds another dimension to being a cyclist.

 

[amaferanga]

Flats / Bar Ends = job done.

Drop bars + hoods = same riding positions as with flat bars + extra

To the OP - sounds like your set-up isn't quite right. Assuming the bike is the right size for you to begin with, you should be able to get a comfortable position. Spending money converting to flat bars is not the answer IMO. Even e.g a 1cm change in stem length or raising/lowering the bars a bit can make a massive difference to comfort.

 

[Norm]

Drop bars + hoods = same riding positions as with flat bars + extra

Indeed, there are 5 hand positions on drops with a lot of movement between them, compared to one position on flats, or two with bar ends.

What is not comfortable on the current bike? If you are using drops most of the time, then that might be the issue as most people seem to reserve them for riding into a headwind or when applying power. Most of my time is spent on the hoods or the tops.

 

[chewy]

Thanks all.

I have made numerous changes to the set up in the year I've had the bike, including a shorter stem (flipped up for even less aggressive position), and my seat will only move forward another 5mm. Yet I seem to still seem to be leaning on my handle bars more than I think I should (on then hoods mainly), resulting in a bit of hand ache.

The bike (Giant defy3 2011) was bought new from LBS and I was set up there too, and I feel confident with them so I don't think the frame size is wrong.

I just don't feel as happy with the drop bars as I do with my flats (on my other bike). but I am open to the possibility that its more me thats the problem than the bike .... yesterday I think I was more tired than I had thought, and indeed, today I have felt a bit rough actually - perhaps I just need a rest and to just ride for the fun of it!

LBS (where I dropped into yesterday) also suggested riding with other(s) and maybe ditching the computer too (no focus on average speeds/mileages!).

But I still have this small niggle in the back of my mind about going back to a flat bar, but do enjoy the use of the drops in wind/down hills!

Anyone else convert/change from drop bars to flats, or have any recommendations about bar tape?

Sorry for the length of post, about a no doubt well discussed subject!!

 

[Gary E]

To be honest I really don't think there is a 'right way' (although there'll probably be no shortage of people telling you otherwise).

After doing about 2,000 miles last year riding alone I definitely get where you're coming from. On the occasions when I managed to get out with mates the rides were much more enjoyable. I began making excuses not to go out on my own and had to push myself at times.

As for the bars - try it. You could have the most expensive, most recommended, highly reviewed setup in the world but if YOU'RE not happy with it, where's the fun in that?

I don't do this cycling thing at anything near a professional level. So whilst I really do appreciate advice/ideas from other riders, I usually go with what feels right.

Not sure I've answered any of your questions but just wanted to give a thumbs up to 'doing it your way'

Happy trails to you

 

[chewy]

Fair comment (and thanks) to you GARY!

I'm not afraid of biting the bullet and changing the bars, which at the moment seems like a good option - just dont want to give up on the drop bar with out having given all the options/ideas a go!

But your right, better to do 40 'happy' miles than 100 miserable ones lol! I think I forget that sometimes!

Happy trails to you too sir!

 

[Norm]

Hmmm... the Defy is a lovely bike (I'd have had one if my local Giant dealer weren't buffoons) but it is a tad "race" in it's geometry with a short head tube and the bars below seat height, so I can imagine that could be a pain.

However, just switching to flats might not change that, you'll just have low flat bars rather than low drops.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Sounds like you've overdone it, to much time on the bike not enough rest. If you are training for an event you need to mix the work with rest to give your body some recovery time. On the handle bars it sounds like either the stem is to long or the handlebars are to low.

 

[Cyclist33]

Indeed, there are 5 hand positions on drops with a lot of movement between them, compared to one position on flats, or two with bar ends.

What is not comfortable on the current bike? If you are using drops most of the time, then that might be the issue as most people seem to reserve them for riding into a headwind or when applying power. Most of my time is spent on the hoods or the tops.

Youre a man of cultured taste norm but it must be said, a. Horses for courses, and b. Flat bar + bar ends gives you at least 3 hand options. Imho, more. I just popped out for a couple of hours and found 6 positions.

As for distance, o original poster, ive done a 43 and a 24 so far, and confident of more - thousands of flatbarrists have done loooonnngg rides.

Stu

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Drop bars + hoods = same riding positions as with flat bars + extra

To the OP - sounds like your set-up isn't quite right. Assuming the bike is the right size for you to begin with, you should be able to get a comfortable position. Spending money converting to flat bars is not the answer IMO. Even e.g a 1cm change in stem length or raising/lowering the bars a bit can make a massive difference to comfort.

Well, i wasn't saying that flats _ bar ends had more positions, although they have a lot. I was just saying that if the OP was not happy with his drops then a switch to flats etc would be job done.

For my own use I would much prefer wide-ish flats. I don't need/want to be bent at right angles whilst on a bike. Flats are great as you have one position on the grips, one inboard and depending on bar ends another 2 or 3. And for me they are only needed to avoid being stuck in the same position too long.

I also prefer my levers and shifters to be separate and horizontal not vertical.

Drops are not the be all and end all to having a great time on a bike. Just horses for courses.

 

[fossyant]

You may need to work on core muscles and flexibility. Most roadies use the tops and hoods for distance, then drops for downhill and when powering into the wind.

Does sound like core and flexibility could be an issue, as core strength will support the weight - you should only be lightly putting weight onto the bars.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

If you aren't into racing or beating any distance record, there is a lot to be said for riding with a more relaxed posture. As usual, in the face of popular trends, the folks at Rivendell make a lot of sense in what they say on this matter. If you have run out of stem and steerer length/adjustment, and since your forks seems to have an alloy steerer, you could also try a stem extender for very little cost.

This will give you some ideas of what you need if you want to convert to flat bars.

 

[Moodyman]

Drops are not for everybody and although I like 'em, I think they're overrated for the so-called 5/6 hand positions. I only ever use 2/3 positions. My other bikes have flat bars with L shaped bar ends, and they're perfectly fine for 50+ milers.

Getting back to Chewy you say that you have a Defy. A common problem with many Defy owners is the stem. The stem that Giant put onto most Defy sizes is too long. Many owners change to a shorter one and once they change the bike transforms. I swapped a 110cm stems for 90 and it's perfect.