Flat bar or drops?

Hi all! As some of you will remember I got into cycling last summer. I bought a Specialized Globe which I absolutely love. I have found, however, that I have difficulty keeping up with my friends on road bikes so I'm looking to purchase one to add to my stable. I'm leaning toward a Specialized because mine fits me so well (even the saddle) but here's my problem. I broke my neck in 2001 and have chronic issues with nerve pain and radiculopathy in my left arm and hand. I have to use a towel roll to support my head on long car drives or the pain becomes unbearable. I'm concerned about getting a bike with drop handles and having to hold my head up in a stretched out position for riding( I ride between 20 and 36 miles a day when the weather allows). Specialized makes a flat-bar road bike (the Vita) that intrigues me. I'm looking at the Dolce as well. I'm not a racer. Any words of advice or caution regarding choice of handle bars? Would adjusting the stem higher even with drop handles make a difference? Any help will be appreciated.

There are some road bikes with drop bars that are designed to be ridden in a more upright position. They tend to have a taller head tube and less reach.

Examples include Felt's Z series, Cannondale Synapse, and several steel bikes in Jamis' line. Nice thing about the Jamis Satellite, Quest & Eclipse is that they are steel, which does help absorb more road buzz than aluminum. Tires, wheels, and handlebars (I do find my carbon bars to dampen more buzz than the older alum bars) also affect how much road chatter is transmitted to the rider.

So it's a heck of a lot more complicated than flat vs. drop bars as far as comfort goes!

Good point. I guess it boils down to this. Is a flat bar road bike basically the same thing as what I've all ready got only lighter? I forgot to mention that I am extremely long waisted with very short legs and arms which might actually be the problem more than the handlebars. I'll be riding both the Specialized bikes this weekend to see how they feel. Any more suggestions?

A flatbar road bike will have a more agressive geometry and tend to be "zippier" than your Globe. It will also have skinnnier tires and likely quicker handling. It will handle like a road bike!
You can get a road bike with drop bars that has a more upright ride that will be kinder to your neck. A flatbar bike is also a good option.
Really....you already know what to do....go to the LBS and test ride them and see which one works best for you!

Yeah, I know. It's the $$$ investment that makes me want to be absoltuely sure this a good decision. I'm looking at spending between $1200-1600 and that's a lot of money for me so I want to be heading in the right direction. My last road bike (that was never fitted) was terrible and I tended to think it was the drops but the more I investigate I think it just was the wrong bike for me. I don't want to rule out drops if they weren't the problem in the first place.

I had a Specialized Dolce and it was a very upright geometry (too much so for me) and super ultra padded bar tape, plus brake levers on the upper deck. Swank! You should test ride...

My friend, who recently got into riding, has the Vita. She loves it, but the tires are still fatter than most road bikes (28's). She is a very slow rider, so I can't comment if it would allow you to keep up with your friends. I would look at some of the "upright" dropped bar bikes.

You can get a fairly upright road bike that you ride on the flats (there are handlebars that are flatting on the upper section to be wrist friendly)... and you can shift/brake using the hoods. That way you'll still have the drops if you want them going down a hill or to sprint.

The Specialized Sequoia is a drop bar bike with relaxed geometry and a more upright posture. The Specialized Sirrus is a flat bar road bike. Both are definitely more zippy that your current bike,

Basically, I think people are saying, don't be afraid to get a road bike w/ a drop bar and also w/ an easy riding geometry that puts you more upright. More of a "plush bike" is the industry term. The drops could just be an additional option for you to use whenever you felt comfortable. I see the drop bars as nothing but providing options.

BTW, I rarely use the drop position on my drop bar bike (I'm much more comfortable on the hoods) but it's there when I need it.

I'd say go with a compact drop bar. The advantages of a drop bar, even when you are not using the drops, is that you have more hand positions. It could be that just rotating the direction of your palms can help you find a comfortable spot relative to your neck problems.
Having a shallow drop bar means that when you do get in the drops, you won't notice a significant difference in how much more you have to look up to see enough. Use the drops sparingly, like when you need to do a lot of descending. Then, you don't need to necessarily look way up the road (you are kind of looking down the road anyway), but you will have some of the handling and stability advantages of a drop bar. You can also make drop bars fit you as relaxed as you need. If you have to crane your head up too much for your comfort, then you've gone to aggressive. A Specialized WSD bike will have a shorter reach (shorter TT) and a bit taller of a head tube. The Roubaix would fit you if WSD geometry (in the TT especially) isn't for you, because it is relaxed with a 2cm taller head tube than more aggressive bikes like the Tarmac or Allez. You may need average outward reach, but you don't want to go too low in front. If you like Specialized, I would look at the Roubaix and Ruby or Dolce. FYI, the Ruby has some aggressive bits to the fork rake and rear triangle that the Roubaix does not have (for handling, stiffness, and responsiveness purposes), but for sizing, the Ruby runs approximately one size smaller than the Roubaix (i.e., a 56 Ruby is similar to a 54 Roubaix).

Oh, as for drop bars, you might want to consider the following compact or WSD bars:

3T (i forget which one is which, but they have some very shallow drop bars now, that come down to a 38cm size)
Specialized WSD bars
Bontrager WSD bars

These are probably the most shallow that I've seen lately.

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Originally Posted by fidlfreek

Basically, I think people are saying, don't be afraid to get a road bike w/ a drop bar and also w/ an easy riding geometry that puts you more upright. More of a "plush bike" is the industry term. The drops could just be an additional option for you to use whenever you felt comfortable. I see the drop bars as nothing but providing options.

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My thoughts also. Specialized cornered the market with "plush bikes"--the Sequoia, Roubaix, and the Dolce. These are lightweight zippy bikes but have a less aggressive geometry than the other road bikes.

Besides the handlebars, you might want to consider a taller stem. Nitto makes one. Also, Specialized has stems that adjust to different angles.

I know this is a very individual decision, but I can't help but wonder whether a recumbent might also be worth looking into. There are a few people on this message board who ride 'bents, and they are beautiful! (both the riders and the bikes)

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Originally Posted by FlyingScot

I broke my neck in 2001 and have chronic issues with nerve pain and radiculopathy in my left arm and hand. I have to use a towel roll to support my head on long car drives or the pain becomes unbearable. I'm concerned about getting a bike with drop handles and having to hold my head up in a stretched out position for riding( I ride between 20 and 36 miles a day when the weather allows). Specialized makes a flat-bar road bike (the Vita) that intrigues me. I'm looking at the Dolce as well. I'm not a racer. Any words of advice or caution regarding choice of handle bars? Would adjusting the stem higher even with drop handles make a difference? Any help will be appreciated.

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Perhaps it may be worth renting a bike to try it out for a few hrs. Don't know what options in terms of LBS in your area. Given that type of serious injury you did have and your chronic pain in relation to head positioning (which sounds serious), you really need to try certain bikes before purchasing.

Have you recently seen a physiotherapist for their advice/exercises? I know for myself, I must do all over stretching for back and neck on a regular basis, to relax my neck muscles, back, etc. No, I never had dropped handlebars and I've been riding for last 17 yrs.

At this time, I have no interest.

You guys have been great. Although I'm not too thrilled with the idea of a "plush" bike ( I like to give the impression of being a little more hard core :p) my LBS is building a Sequioa for me to test ride on Saturday. I think the Dolce's top tube is going to be too short, even in the largest frame size. I looked at the Allez but the stance is too aggressive. Does anybody know what other brand bikes might be similar to the Sequoia?
As far as a recumbent. Not sure I have to go that route...yet. Thanks for putting the thought in my head for the future.

Specialized Roubaix.

Cervelo RS.

These are still pro tour level bikes but a little more relaxed to satisfy things like certain riders' geometry needs, reducing rider fatigue on rough terrain, etc.

Some Treks will also have slightly taller head tubes and maybe the Orbea Orca (I think).

I also bought a Specialized Globe (comfort hybrid) after not riding for about 20 years. Thought it was just the best thing ever until I started a beginners class with a cycling club and was always in the back. I wanted to know if it was me or the bike. I went back to the bike store where I bought the bike and asked if I changed to road bike tires, would it go faster? The answer was that the Globe was not designed for speed. So, I tested a Specialized Vita Sport. They asked me what it would take to get me to buy it. I told them it would take more than just riding around the parking lot to see if it really was better than the Globe. They lent it to me and I took the same 20 mile club ride that I had taken with the first bike the week before. I flew on the Vita. I did buy it and now have to sell the Globe (they wouldn't take it back). The Vita is great. It is so much lighter (22 lbs.) and I can keep up with the road bikes. I just felt kind of bad that I had finally bought a new bike and now needed to replace it after 3 months. I just never anticipated that I would get so into cycling. It still has some of the features of the comfort bike that I did not want to give up. I like the flat bars. I can still reach the ground with my toe. It has trigger shifters and the numbers are shown so I know what gear I am in. It is just as comfortable (no pain anywhere) and so much faster. So, I would really recommend it! Janet

Take a look at the Trek FX series, 7.5 or 7.6

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Originally Posted by FlyingScot

You guys have been great. Although I'm not too thrilled with the idea of a "plush" bike ( I like to give the impression of being a little more hard core :p) my LBS is building a Sequioa for me to test ride on Saturday. I think the Dolce's top tube is going to be too short, even in the largest frame size. I looked at the Allez but the stance is too aggressive. Does anybody know what other brand bikes might be similar to the Sequoia?
As far as a recumbent. Not sure I have to go that route...yet. Thanks for putting the thought in my head for the future.

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The newer Sequoias are really borrowing design concepts from the pro race bike geometry from a few years previously so I wouldn't be too concerned with looking like you are on a "mature" rider's bike. I have a Roubaix and other cyclists in our little group have bikes with more aggressive geometry. Guess who complains of numbness in the hands and wrists while battling sore shoulders and back? :p

I am more comfortable on a unisex bike but I almost always have to change out the stock 100mm stem for a 80mm stem and change out the seatpost as well.

By the way, I have a Globe too and it made me slower because of the weight of the bike paired with the 18T sprocket which was geared too high for me (I have an internal geared hub). I like riding it because it helps me to focus on the ride and enjoy life at a more leisurely pace. :)

HEre's another vote to check out those 7.5 FX bikes.

When I was ready to keep up better, I told my bike shop guy that I would be willing to try drop bars since the previous attempts that just didn't distribute my weight happily ... but really I wanted lighter and with bigger gears... faster.

They swapped out the tyres from the get-go for skinny ones; the wheels are fast ones and I really feel it when I'm going 16-18 and up from that. It's aluminum (which means on long tours I still go for my steel bike and just go slower, 'cause by the third day I'm making up bawdy songs about how badly I want to be straddlin' a carbon fibre frame), and *very* peppy.

Potential disadvantages are that there are fewer ways to place your hands; perhaps my piano lessons or swimming have meant that's never been an issue for me.

Ride 'em.

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Originally Posted by Geonz

Potential disadvantages are that there are fewer ways to place your hands; perhaps my piano lessons or swimming have meant that's never been an issue for me.

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Not an issue for me with these

I just bought a Trek 7.5 FX WSD and love it. It is very comfortable, the grips are awesomely comfy. The gears are fast, not that I can keep up with faster riders, but my hubby has ridden it and is amazed at how fast it will go with little effort.

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Originally Posted by Photoflygirl

I just bought a Trek 7.5 FX WSD and love it. It is very comfortable, the grips are awesomely comfy. The gears are fast, not that I can keep up with faster riders, but my hubby has ridden it and is amazed at how fast it will go with little effort.

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Congrats on the new bike! The site rules say you have to post a picture of your new steed!

Thanks for the replies so far. They've been really helpful. Unfortunately I haven't had time to test ride the bikes I'm looking at. Hopefully this Saturday will work out (I'm in the middle of a big restoration). I'm leaning toward the Sequoia as I really do love my Globe. I have figured out that a women's specific design is probably not going to work because I have an extremely long torso and short legs/arms (you should see my flightsuit...it's ridiculous). I'll update you when I get a chance to actually ride something.

I would ask your lbs. I spoke to mine because my trainer did not want me to get a racing road bike since I am new to road biking and wanted me to sit a bit upright. I bought the Specialized Dolce and love it and that is what the lbs suggested. Tell him/her about your neck issues and test ride to see how you feel. I know that I feel more upright on my dolce and love it!

Well, I did it! I bought the Specialized Sequoia Elite. What a difference!!!!!! Compared to my Globe this bike is a rocket. I even found myself naturally getting into the drops and it felt fine (the drops on this bike are very shallow). I'm taking it out on it's maiden voyage tomorrow. 28 mile ride with a group of friends. I can't believe how comfortable this bike is. I just wish she was as pretty as the Dolce which unfortunately did not fit me at all!!

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Originally Posted by FlyingScot

Well, I did it! I bought the Specialized Sequoia Elite. What a difference!!!!!! Compared to my Globe this bike is a rocket. I even found myself naturally getting into the drops and it felt fine (the drops on this bike are very shallow). I'm taking it out on it's maiden voyage tomorrow. 28 mile ride with a group of friends. I can't believe how comfortable this bike is. I just wish she was as pretty as the Dolce which unfortunately did not fit me at all!!

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Congrats! I loved my Sequoia. I remember thinking that the tires were so narrow and being a bit shaky on my maiden ride. Have fun together!

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Originally Posted by FlyingScot

Well, I did it! I bought the Specialized Sequoia Elite. What a difference!!!!!! Compared to my Globe this bike is a rocket. I even found myself naturally getting into the drops and it felt fine (the drops on this bike are very shallow). I'm taking it out on it's maiden voyage tomorrow. 28 mile ride with a group of friends. I can't believe how comfortable this bike is. I just wish she was as pretty as the Dolce which unfortunately did not fit me at all!!

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Did you get the 2009? The black and silver? Just think, you can add anything you want to it, accessorize accessorize! I think those bikes look great when people add color.

Congrats! We want pics.

Yep! The 2009 Grey and black. I was thinking it needed some bling. Maybe I should post a new thread..."Decorate my bike"! I took it on our first real ride. Had some cable tension issues that put a damper on it but that's all fixed now. Can't wait for the next one. Unfortunately sanding an polyurethaning my sunroom floor is first on the docket for me.

So I took my shiny new bike on its first outing since getting adjusted. It rides beautifully!!! I'm very comfortable on it even in the drops. I did however make a discovery. I'm riding along climbing hills, going really fast on the flats and it's so easy I feel like a cycling goddess!!! I'm not even feeling the headwind (20mph-storm rolling in) because I'm on my super fast new bike. I even look really cute in my new Sheila Moon Bippie Tank and Shebeast SSS shorts. Until I looked down and realized I'm riding in my stupid GRANNY GEAR!!!!!! Man what a let down. Back to reality. I'm really a middle-aged human who could stand to lose about 10 pounds just like most everybody else. Oh well, it was sweet while it lasted:D

Where are the pictures of you on this awesome bike?? :p
I gotta see some!

That was a funny story. I sometimes do that; I'll be flying along feeling like I'm in the TDF and then some old guy whizzes by me on a 70 lb mountain bike like I'm standing still and I realize I'm not quite as studly as I might have thought.

I'm glad I'm not the only one.!!!!!!! Well, at least I looked the part.Pictures to come later.