- Location
- London
And best not get started on "cockpit," which always makes me think of machine guns spat from a blazing sun.
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
Ian H
Ancient randonneur
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_saddle
I suspect it was originally used ironically, but you know what happens.
I find it uncomfortable to ride much more than 100k on a flat-bar bike. Drops give so many options, both of hand-positions, and the associated changes of upper-body position.
- Location
- London
I have stubby bar ends on my brommie dogtousers. Do you have them?
- Location
- London
No I don't to be honest dogtrosers, but i used to often fantasise about rocket launchers mounted to the front mudguards of my 70s/80s styled vespa.
On the bike i prefer the controlled apparently manically uncontrolled wobble.
i recommend the stubbie bar ends for even short brommie rides. They don't spoil the fold.
On the bike i prefer the controlled apparently manically uncontrolled wobble.
i recommend the stubbie bar ends for even short brommie rides. They don't spoil the fold.
SuperHans123
Formerly known as snertos999
Plenty of hand positions possible with these.
Last edited:
youngoldbloke
The older I get, the faster I used to be ...
No doubt, but how do you brake/change gear without moving your hands? If you prefer them that's great but I'll stick with dropped bars for now, thanks.
OP
OP
Slick
Guru
It's a very big subject.......apparently.
SuperHans123
Formerly known as snertos999
Jeese, didn't realise it was that big an image when I posted it! (Now edited)
If I am needing the brakes in a hurry, which is rare given how slow I am, I would keep my hands in the 'normal' position, for example when going down a hill.
I spend most of my riding time on cycle tracks, so there isn't usually a need for immediate braking.
Each their own and like you, I shall stick with flat bars for now, thanks.
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
Same as how you brake from the tops (without CX levers), ramps or ends on dropped bars! Step 1 is move hands to the levers...
Ajax Bay
Guru
- Location
- East Devon
Which is why riders with drop bars ride on the hoods much of the time - it allows for immediate brake operation. Riding in a group the brakes should always be covered; downhill on the drops the brakes are within finger range without "moving the hands to levers"; IME most riders don't spend much time 'on the tops', unless their bike is ill-fitting. I treat the top of my bars as just an occasional hand position to allow variety and use slightly different muscles.
The flat bar end augmentation @snertos999 posted an image of (presumably he has not fitted these) looks very sophisticated and ideal if you want to ride relatively upright and move your hands to cover the brakes as soon as you anticipate the possibility that you'll need to brake.
Room for all kinds of bar in our cycling community: all with advantages and disadvantages which vary depending on the type of cycling one uses that bike (with its bars) for.
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
So in practice, dropped bars don't give "give so many options," except for some occasional relief, and the one most riders use (the hoods) also leaves their hands in an unnatural position, just less extreme than the usual flat bar grips.
Also, braking from the hoods is normally weaker than from the drops, so I suggest any group where hood braking suffices isn't riding ever so close and single hand braking would suffice in most cases, allowing one to alternate which hand was on the bar end.
I agree, but drop bar advocates really should agree among themselves if it's the variety of hand positions or covering of brakes that's important to them!
It's just struck me that (for me at least), drop bars offer the biggest range of hand positions - but not the best one. My single favourite hand position (on my bikes) is on the main grips of my MTB with brakes and gears in perfect digital reach.So in practice, dropped bars don't give "give so many options," except for some occasional relief, and the one most riders use (the hoods) also leaves their hands in an unnatural position, just less extreme than the usual flat bar grips.
Also, braking from the hoods is normally weaker than from the drops, so I suggest any group where hood braking suffices isn't riding ever so close and single hand braking would suffice in most cases, allowing one to alternate which hand was on the bar end.
I agree, but drop bar advocates really should agree among themselves if it's the variety of hand positions or covering of brakes that's important to them!
SuperHans123
Formerly known as snertos999
I have had various types of the Ergon branded grips previously, including the one I posted...great grips.
SuperHans123
Formerly known as snertos999
[/QUOTE] @snertos999 posted an image of (presumably he has not fitted these) looks very sophisticated and ideal if you want to ride relatively upright and move your hands to cover the brakes as soon as you anticipate the possibility that you'll need to brake.
Room for all kinds of bar in our cycling community: all with advantages and disadvantages which vary depending on the type of cycling one uses that bike (with its bars) for.[/QUOTE]
Lots of us like to ride upright as we prefer it and find it comfier and are not interested in 'riding on the hoods'
Look outside any supermarket, university or train station and the vast majority of bikes are some form of hybrid.
Believe it or not, 'we' are not the minority!
Room for all kinds of bar in our cycling community: all with advantages and disadvantages which vary depending on the type of cycling one uses that bike (with its bars) for.[/QUOTE]
Lots of us like to ride upright as we prefer it and find it comfier and are not interested in 'riding on the hoods'
Look outside any supermarket, university or train station and the vast majority of bikes are some form of hybrid.
Believe it or not, 'we' are not the minority!
