Hi there, just after some generalised advice on a few choice subject matters.
First off I think it's worth noting I work in a Bike-Shop, and have been here roughly since last September. I'm not as knowledgeable as my fellow co-workers, as they've either been in the trade for many a year, or are just -extremely- passionate about the sport. Not to say I'm not passionate, I'm just new to the industry is all.
A friend of mine has invited me to do the Coast to Coast (Whitehaven to Sunderland) ride with him and his family this year and I've gladly accepted. We'll be doing a route that's a mix of about.. 70% On-Road and 30% Off-road. We go out practically every Sunday for training rides ranging anywhere from 15-30 Miles. That sort of thing. I'm currently doing those training rides on a Genesis Latitude 20 which yes, I know, is a Mountain Bike and not suited for Road-Use in the slightest.
I'm looking to a buy a new bike however, one that I can do the Coast to Coast on and then after, enjoy some long rides on for recreational purposes and general enjoyment. I've been looking at the Croix Der Fer range, but I'm ever so slightly put off by Dropped-Handlebars. I have to say, I find dropped-handlebars really uncomfortable to ride with. After a while of riding with them, my lower back starts to hurt a bit. However my co-workers keep saying it's because of things like; Once the bike and the bars have been adjusted for your height and such it'll be comfortable, that I've only ever ridden flat-handlebars and the likes. Now I put the question to you, lovely people of CycleChat.
Is it worth trying to acclimatize myself to Dropped-Handlebars? Or should I seek other options? And if so, can anyone suggest any bikes that would be worthwhile buying for what I need?
Cheers!
First off I think it's worth noting I work in a Bike-Shop, and have been here roughly since last September. I'm not as knowledgeable as my fellow co-workers, as they've either been in the trade for many a year, or are just -extremely- passionate about the sport. Not to say I'm not passionate, I'm just new to the industry is all.
A friend of mine has invited me to do the Coast to Coast (Whitehaven to Sunderland) ride with him and his family this year and I've gladly accepted. We'll be doing a route that's a mix of about.. 70% On-Road and 30% Off-road. We go out practically every Sunday for training rides ranging anywhere from 15-30 Miles. That sort of thing. I'm currently doing those training rides on a Genesis Latitude 20 which yes, I know, is a Mountain Bike and not suited for Road-Use in the slightest.
I'm looking to a buy a new bike however, one that I can do the Coast to Coast on and then after, enjoy some long rides on for recreational purposes and general enjoyment. I've been looking at the Croix Der Fer range, but I'm ever so slightly put off by Dropped-Handlebars. I have to say, I find dropped-handlebars really uncomfortable to ride with. After a while of riding with them, my lower back starts to hurt a bit. However my co-workers keep saying it's because of things like; Once the bike and the bars have been adjusted for your height and such it'll be comfortable, that I've only ever ridden flat-handlebars and the likes. Now I put the question to you, lovely people of CycleChat.
Is it worth trying to acclimatize myself to Dropped-Handlebars? Or should I seek other options? And if so, can anyone suggest any bikes that would be worthwhile buying for what I need?
Cheers!
Last edited: