Drop bar v. Flat bar road bikes

I am new to this forum but hoping I will find it helpful! I currently own a triathlon bike (specialized transition elite) but due to a recent hip surgery I can no longer ride in the aero-position. I need to be much more upright when I ride now. I still want to do sprint/olympic tri's and ride in longer charity rides, etc. I am wondering what my best option is. I either could get new handlbars installed on my tri bike OR I could sell my tri bike and buy a road bike with either flar handle bars or higher drop bars.

Does anyone know of any decent flat bar road bikes or bikes with a longer stem/higher drop bar that would allow me to ride faster but still be more upright?

Any input would be great!

Most road bikes can be either aggressive or relaxed in position.

If you post a picture of your triathalon bike, we could probably tell you whether you could change your handlebars and get a higher angle stem to bring your handlebars up higher. You can get steering tube extender things as well to move the handlebars up higher.

That's probably going to be your cheapest option vs. getting a whole new bike.

For a flat bar road bike - if you're doing a really long ride you may find that a flat bar on a road bike does not have enough hand positions so your hands may go numb or have other issues. Some people buy them and love them - others buy them, and within a few months to a year want to get a road bike for more hand positions or need to change the handlebars to something else. So you can usually do trekking butterfly style bars or soma sparrows on flat bar road bikes and still use the same shifters.


For regular road bikes - a more relaxed fit or a more touring fit bike will put you more upright. Someone should be able to adjust the stem angle and such like that to put you more upright on a bike - You are looking to go for something that has your saddle about even with the handlebars vs. something with your saddle sticking way up higher than the handlebars. Just go test ride a lot of bikes to find that - sometimes it's the size you choose that makes the difference.

I use the fsa carbon k-wing handlebars, which if you look at them, they sort of curve upwards from where the stem connects, which gives you a bit more riser, and then has a nice flat area to hang on to, dips a little to the hoods and has the drops underneath - but I generally sit pretty upright and just hold onto the flat bar section. So handlebar choice may play a big roll for you.

If you want to buy a flat-bar almost-road bike, look at the Trek FX series.

Also look at the Specialized Vita - I have a Specialized Vita Comp on order - can't wait - should be here around beginning of May!

Being that you are coming from a tri background and are used to agressive aero bikes and that you want to consider continuing tris, I'd go for a traditional drop road bike with a taller headtube (less saddle to bar drop) from a shop that will work with you on stems and bars (change the stem out to something with more bend if necessary).

Depending on your tri bike it may be possible to convert, but most have very tri-specific geometry and are made to be ridden with the aero bars, so it may not be the best option.

A few brands are going with taller headtube options now, Cervelo comes to mind. Trek also offers two fit options (with different headtube lengths) on their Madones.

You may also want to consider working with a professional fitter with experience working with physical issues/limitations. It could be well worth the $150-300 to get their opinions on what bikes will work for you and/or have them help set you up on your current bike or a new bike. If you are in Colorado (or willing to travel) I have someone I'd highly recommend to you.