Flat bars vs. drops

[mimitabby]

Anyway, I am thinking about the handle bars of a road bike. How difficult is it for someone riding a hybrid to adjust to drops? What about the shifters? My LBS says the lower end shifters up high on the drops are difficult to manage at first. What are cheater brakes? Are they necessary? Does anyone ride a flat bar road bike? Would this be a better transition for me?

Please advice.

I have been going through the throes of getting used to a roadbike. I have had hybrid type bikes always, but hubby and all of our riding friends do roadbikes so i figured i ought to at least try. It took about 60 miles of riding (several rides) before i even got used to the different shifting mechanisms.

the jury is still out; the bike is in the shop getting a new fork so i can raise the bars to where i can comfortably use them. I might get those cheater brakes put on too. I'll let you all know, my appt is in one week.
The thing of it is, the roadbike (a Bianchi VELOCE) is really faster. I noticed that immediately. It is a startling difference; and the bike itself isn't that much lighter (heck, it's got a steel frame!)

so look before you leap! there IS an adjustment!

Mimi

[salsabike]

I think that good fit has a lot to do with how easy or hard the adjustment is. I had a Sirrus last year. It was a little too big for me as a hybrid. Then I foolishly tried to convert it to a road bike by changing to drop bars. WAY too long a top tube for that; hurt my back climbing a hill. So be careful when you are trying to make a bike fit if it really is too big for the purpose and for you.

When I finally concluded I needed a new road bike that fit properly, I did a ton of research on bike geometry, WSD, etc., and got two bike fittings with two different people who gave me approximate measurements for what I needed. I then walked into the LBS armed with numbers, so when they said, oh, this Trek will work for you, I was able to say, no, it won't--the top tube is an inch longer than will fit me; THIS is the range of top tube length I need; please let me test-ride these bikes that I know have that size top tube. Etc.

I strongly recommend a bike fit appointment with a physical therapist who has cycling expertise. Such a person is not trying to sell you anything and can give you a good idea of what will fit you. When I did start riding my road bike, the adjustment was easy because it really fits well. I love it and am very comfortable on it.

[WrensMom]

Drop bars do feel different than flat bars, but I suggest you give them a chance before you say no to them. Personally, I have found my drop bars to be *more* comfortable than the flat bars I was used to on my old mtn bike. I like that they give you more and different hand positions, because my wrists tend to hurt in the flat bar position for very long. Being on the hoods on the drop bars, though, is totally comfy, and where I spend most of the time. Being on the top part of the bars is like being on flat bars, but closer together, and the drops are nice for a change so you can kind of stretch your back. As far as the "cheater brakes" (I understand that the term nowadays is "cross brakes")--I was planning on getting them installed on my bike (Bianchi Veloce, like Mimi's), but since riding it more and getting used to it, I don't feel like it is necessary. A huge part of that is that the brake/shifter levers fit my hands well (Campy instead of Shimano). There are also different handlebars available that can help with the reach issue as well, like these Salsa Pocos that I have heard so many good things about.

[salsabike]

Drop bars do feel different than flat bars, but I suggest you give them a chance before you say no to them. Personally, I have found my drop bars to be *more* comfortable than the flat bars I was used to on my old mtn bike. I like that they give you more and different hand positions, because my wrists tend to hurt in the flat bar position for very long. Being on the hoods on the drop bars, though, is totally comfy, and where I spend most of the time. Being on the top part of the bars is like being on flat bars, but closer together, and the drops are nice for a change so you can kind of stretch your back. As far as the "cheater brakes" (I understand that the term nowadays is "cross brakes")--I was planning on getting them installed on my bike (Bianchi Veloce, like Mimi's), but since riding it more and getting used to it, I don't feel like it is necessary. A huge part of that is that the brake/shifter levers fit my hands well (Campy instead of Shimano). There are also different handlebars available that can help with the reach issue as well, like these Salsa Pocos that I have heard so many good things about.

Right! I second just about everything WrensMom said. One of the reasons I wanted drop bars was because I took the Sirrus on a 54 mile ride and my hands and arms just couldn't take the same position for that long--the flat bars had been fine for 20-30 miles, but no longer than that. And ditto the "cheater" brakes--if the bike fits well, you spend your time on the hoods and don't need the brakes up by the stem. Campy shifters work much better for small hands than Shimano, so it all works.