what u prefer for commuting ,drops or flats?

[BentMikey]

I don't have a boat, but I do have a bike with tiller steering.

 

[middleagecyclist]

Butterflies.

 

[Maz]

I ride a road bike on my commute but for most of the time I'm holding the hoods. Tend to use the drops on the long, straight stretches when I'm not changing gears.

 

[GrasB]

How did this drift one into the commuting by small boat and craft anyway?

Sorry, but where is the boat in this picture?.. It certainly does have a tiller!

 

[GrasB]

Flats for city commuting.
Drops only for longer rides.

So big ungainly bars which slow steering response for city riding when space is at a premium & the more agility the better?

 

[Andrius.B]

So big ungainly bars which slow steering response for city riding when space is at a premium & the more agility the better?

It doesn't slow my steering response that much. I have never been in a situation where I would be in some kind of trouble because I am riding flat bars.
They give me better view or my surroundings too, and in any case, that is what I am used to riding with.

 

[GrasB]

It doesn't slow my steering response that much. I have never been in a situation where I would be in some kind of trouble because I am riding flat bars.

Flat bars a much harder to manage the tyre position, lean angle & angle of attack of the bike at the same time (it's to do with the relative position of the hands, steerer tube & required head geometry), managing 2 at the same time is easy. This shouldn't make much difference but after riding a sorted drop setup & a properly sorted flat bar setup I'd never want lose the ability to precisely control all 3 at the same time.

They give me better view or my surroundings too, and in any case, that is what I am used to riding with.

Incorrect, the fit of you bike defines the view of your surroundings. Yes if you have deep set drops & high set flat bars you'll end up with a better view on your flat bars but if your flat bars are deep & have a tall stance on your drops then the oposite is true.

 

[Kiwiavenger]

I agree.

Though Mark used the bars for his epic round the world journey !

that saddle reminds me of Gonzo!!

 

[HLaB]

They give me better view or my surroundings too, and in any case, that is what I am used to riding with.

I find drops give me better view its easier to change my position on them to change my view and the movement seems to catch the eye of drivers more but ride with what you are comfortable with, it doesn't matter what you ride as long as you ride

 

[Norm]

Incorrect, the fit of you bike defines the view of your surroundings. Yes if you have deep set drops & high set flat bars you'll end up with a better view on your flat bars but if your flat bars are deep & have a tall stance on your drops then the oposite is true.

Indeed, the flat bars on my current commuter-of-choice are lower than the tops of any of my dropped-bar bikes.

 

[mustang1]

While I think maybe one day I'll get a flat bar bike, with larger tires, rack and fenders, I know it'll be a boring ride.

So this particular poster prefers drops.

 

[Gez73]

My drop bar commuter has a rack and mudguards and is not at all boring! If you're commuting and want to stay dry and carry stuff that's the only option. I enjoy riding on my drops and don't notice the attatchments at all. Gez

 

[Andrius.B]

Flat bars a much harder to manage the tyre position, lean angle & angle of attack of the bike at the same time (it's to do with the relative position of the hands, steerer tube & required head geometry), managing 2 at the same time is easy. This shouldn't make much difference but after riding a sorted drop setup & a properly sorted flat bar setup I'd never want lose the ability to precisely control all 3 at the same time.


Incorrect, the fit of you bike defines the view of your surroundings. Yes if you have deep set drops & high set flat bars you'll end up with a better view on your flat bars but if your flat bars are deep & have a tall stance on your drops then the oposite is true.

This is quite interesting. I always thought that road bikes with drops are better for fast riding only because of their light weight, aerodynamic riding position and thin tyres.
I will read up more on this.
I just don't understand what angle of attack is and what it determines.

 

[So Slow]

Drops for me also, although my commute is mainly on rural roads, if that makes any difference

 

[GrasB]

This is quite interesting. I always thought that road bikes with drops are better for fast riding only because of their light weight, aerodynamic riding position and thin tyres.
I will read up more on this.
I just don't understand what angle of attack is and what it determines.

Angle of attack is the direction the bike is pointing v's where it's going. For every corner there's numerous combinations of lean & steering input which allow you to turn through the same line. Due to the geometry of handle bars using non-natural variations tends to be much easier on drop, hoods & bull horns.