Why don't people have their drops at a useable height?

[Smokin Joe]

Flat bar road bikes are a thing, not sure how widespread they are though.

I can't stand flat bars, the lack of hand positions make my wrists and arms ache after a short while.

 

[SuperHans123]

I can't stand flat bars, the lack of hand positions make my wrists and arms ache after a short while.

 

[SuperHans123]

If most ppl on this thread rarely use the drops and by extension, then have to reach for the gears/brakes, why don't you get a hybrid instead which are usually cheaper and have easily reachable brakes/gears....I just don't get it. Is it an image thing?

 

[Mike_P]

I can't stand flat bars, the lack of hand positions make my wrists and arms ache after a short while.

Add a pair of bar ends, some double up as a tool kit.

 

[Twilkes]

If most ppl on this thread rarely use the drops and by extension, then have to reach for the gears/brakes, why don't you get a hybrid instead which are usually cheaper and have easily reachable brakes/gears....I just don't get it. Is it an image thing?

To be fair, I don't have a problem braking or changing gear from the hoods, I wouldn't have thought many others did either.

 

[Smudge]

If i were to only have one bike, then without doubt it would be a hybrid. They are the most comfortable for me and the most practical. But i like to have different bikes for different riding uses and experiences, and as i have the space for 4 bikes, then why not.
The road bike is nice to use sometimes because its the lightest bike i own and has the simplicity of no mudguards, rack, lights, panniers or any of the other stuff thats on my other bikes.

 

[Aravis]

If most ppl on this thread rarely use the drops and by extension, then have to reach for the gears/brakes, why don't you get a hybrid instead which are usually cheaper and have easily reachable brakes/gears....I just don't get it. Is it an image thing?

I don't think I've ridden a bike with a straight bar since I bought my first road bike in 1979, so my memory may be a little hazy. I think I remember finding that I always wanted to move my hands nearer to the centre than the position of levers would easily allow. A drop bar, with the entire width of the tops available, solves that immediately. Everything else flows from that; you have the variety of positions which everyone talks about. You don't need to be spending the same amount of time in each position for them to be effective.

 

[Twilkes]

I don't think I've ridden a bike with a straight bar since I bought my first road bike in 1979, so my memory may be a little hazy. I think I remember finding that I always wanted to move my hands nearer to the centre than the position of levers would easily allow. A drop bar, with the entire width of the tops available, solves that immediately. Everything else flows from that; you have the variety of positions which everyone talks about. You don't need to be spending the same amount of time in each position for them to be effective.

I have TOGS near my levers on my flat bar, not quite the position in the video but it gives a more central and wrist-friendly position to use on this kind of bike: https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/togs-are-bar-ends-for-your-thumbs-351600

Edit - not that I have wrist problems on a flat bar.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Add a pair of bar ends, some double up as a tool kit.

Not for me. I prefer the multiple positions available on drops.

 

[Kajjal]

This really depends on personal preference and also the riders flexibility. I prefer a more upright position with less reach others prefer the complete opposite. Being comfortable in the drops allows for a more aerodynamic position and can be useful on long rides to give a variety of positions to move round the bike.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I dont use the low part of my drop bars much. Maybe I could just as well use flats. So what? My bike has drop bars. My previous bike had drop bars. I like drop bars. I'm not about to start fiddly experiments to see if I'd prefer, or if I'd make more efficient use of, something else when I don't have a problem with what I have.

Had some headwinds this morning so I did actually spend a bit of time down in the drops. I doubt it made any difference.

 

[Milzy]

I need them slammed to the floor. Sit up & beg position is more uncomfortable to me.

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

I've looked at hybrids, but I'm on a pension and couldn't fund one, I've also looked at a flat bar conversion, on my geared bike its too expensive, going over to bull horns on my fixed , like on my last fixed, could be an option.

You should be able to pick up a good steel hybrid second hand for about £50 and then add/swap bits. A fair chance it would end up being more comfortable than anything bought new.

Everyone can afford a hybrid, even poor pensioners! Paid £20 for this tidy 1988 Raleigh with a 531 frame and very little wear & tear. OK, it ended up being just north of £50 by the time I'd replaced the Michelin World Tours with puncture-resistant Schwalbes, but still not a lot of money - and you need tyres no matter what sort of bike you ride. Doing a flat bar conversion would cost more in bits plus having two bikes is better than one.

 

[MichaelW2]

The shape and radius of drops has an impact on comfort and usability. For most riders, shallower drops are better.

 

[Rusty Nails]

I like the bars on my bikes best.