Flat bar vs. dropped bar

[redrhodie]

I got ganglionic cysts in my wrists when I rode a flat bar mtb (granted, it was too big for me). I find drops very comfortable. I change hand positions a lot, and like having all the options.

[Aquila]

I ride drop bars, have since, well forever. But I tried flat bars when the bike shop lent me a bike to play on while mine were in the shop. My initial impression was that I felt less stable because my weight was less focused on the center of the bike, and more out on the handlebars. And my wrists got more sore. But I may be an anomoly (sp?).

[SadieKate]

If you felt less stable I'd guess the bike didn't fit you or the bar was too narrow, otherwise mountainbikes would have drop bars.

But sore wrists could definitely be a problem. Many flat bars don't have enough rear sweep for women's wrists. That's why the Nitto Moustache/Albatross/Northroad/etc can be such great bars for some people.

[smurfalicious]

I have to chime in here because my boss talked me out of converting Candy to a flat bar roadie once I get a new ride. His logic is that with drop bars you still have the bar tops, and several other positions.

Being upright has nothing to do with the bars, it has to do with geometry. I can put a flat bar on a Colnago CX-1 and it's still going to be an aggressive ride. So something with a long head tube and relaxed angle will do you much more good.

As for stability there's a big move toward wider road bars ala mountain bike style. I'm considering going to a wider bar for stability because my mountain bike background makes me crave that wide bar.

Just my two cents.

[missjulied]

You can also add bullhorns to a flat-bar bike. I did that on my commuter, and it's great to have the additional hand position, but I still get the stability and the easy-access brake levers. (Though, to be fair, I did have brake interrupters added to my road bike too!)