Is it Time to Drop Drop Bars?

In this video the pros and cons of using drops and alt bars.

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[RatFink]

"industrial roadie complex"--best description of the corporate bike industrial complex. This is why I SUPPORT this channel....made my day... :)

[jthj]

Myself I keep coming back to drop bars. I really like the flared gravel style ones. Just feels more natural to me in my primary position which is on the hoods.

[rivnuts]

I appreciate your honest and broad-based comparison of different competing products without any predisposed preference or motive.

[bryanwilson]

I have the same numbness in my hands with flat or sweep bars, but seem to avoid it with drop bars & riding on the hood. Definitely my most comfortable position to ride.

[captaincoyote]

You just did the best, most comprehensive —and to the point—comparison of these two types of handlebars! I’m approaching my late 60s…a bicycle rider since 1972, maybe 1973? I’ve done my “crazy” riding, but healing takes much longer now. My old road bike sits, as I hate “roads with cars”. My old thrasher sits, as I’m more relaxed in my riding, and again, I just don’t heal as quickly as I used to. My primary ride now…is my Chumba Stella ti…built up with Rohloff aft, and SON Dyno forward….used for gravel, rail trail, forest service roads to access New England fly fishing spots….and long bikepacking trips when I just have to get away! Bravo-Zulu, we’ll done….explaining. I’m now considering those hand extensions on my Thompson flattie, just to give me another hand position. Wishing you many smiles with the miles, and safe riding, brother!

[timshelhamer]

I only use flat or alt bars because drop bars and controls are expensive, tedious to swap and I find them no more comfortable with less steering control on the fun terrain. Moloko is my fave except friction shifter mounting isn’t ideal.
Pedro’s tire levers are the best but I snapped one for the first time last week (trying to mount a wtb raddler) so it’s making me revisit everything I know about bikes. Maybe I’ll put a drop bar on my commuter just for experimental purposes

[stevenr]

Another great video. I have raised my cow chippers above my seat height so that the top/hoods are at the top of my comfort range and the drops are high enough to use without much discomfort. I use the drops all the time now.
Handle bars & positions are worth experimenting with.

[troymoon]

Like Russ said, it depends on the ride. I have really wide Nitto Noodle drop bars on my Long Haul Trucker and use all available hand positions on long rides. The width helps keep the bike from feeling squirrely in gravel or rough. I have an alt bar on a bike I ride in town a lot because the upright position feels safer to me in traffic. I feel like I'm better able to keep my head on a swivel.

[LordNormandy]

Love traditional road drop bars. I don’t even want a little bit of a flair. I use regular 44 cm drop bars on my gravel bike same bar I use on my road bike. And I like the way they look.

[johnbrann]

I've used drop, straight and alt bars. I prefer straight and alt bars because I feel I have quicker access to the brake levers. I ride in an urban environment and being able to get on the brakes quickly can be a life saver. I have nothing against drop bars but at 63 I just don't find them as comfortable as I do ride in a more upright position.

[coreyreeder]

A popular set up for bickpacking is actually flat bars with clip on aero bars. It’s a little busy and ugly but quite functional

[whistler]

I've been using a Jones H-Bar for about 5 years now for daily use and tours on my Cross Check (had to scale down from 5 bikes to 2). I enjoy it very much and at 66 y.o.a., the upright position works for me. But I really enjoy the panache of drops, especially the way Russ has his set up and the hoods I do miss...

[TimFitzwater]

I do love my drops but I’m building up a Gunnar with some new Nitto’s with a dramatic sweep. It will be interesting to see how I like it on long rides(I know I’m going to dig the upright position for shorter stuff).

[edmakowski]

I applaud your honesty from the outset.

[abchaplin]

So, Russ, in a nutshell, I think you said "horses for courses" and "if it hurts, don't do it."

[martinmalloy]

I prefer drop bars personally but I don't set them too low which is common now, this allows me to use the drops and not just the hoods.

[andymarks]

Bravo. My bike came w cowchipper bars, and I like them for the reasons you gave: many holds, hide from the wind, and given their width, plenty of leverage. I had a 30 yr old MTB w flat bars and I pulled one or two sons in a kid trailer. Until I turned into the wind. And didn't have a low enough gear to continue. There's almost always wind. Long live cowchippers. Where's your join button.. (JK, I'm on my phone, I'll find it w my pixel book). Great, informative challel IMHO.

[galootlovestools]

I have ridden several configurations of flat bars and my hands/wrists start hurting after an hour or so. After a few years of commuting, I settled on short-reach, short-drop drop bars with cyclocross levers so I can brake on the flats and in the drops or on the hoods. I set my handlebars about 2” above my saddle. I found ways to attach handlebar bags without interfering with the cyclocross levers.

[a_donut_]

I agree. Depending on what your plans are one is better than the other.
I ride on my fixed gear both risers and Dropbars. Riser for commuting because of the more upright position and better view over traffic and drop for recreational riding ✌️

[nozaihaus]

I’ve had one bike with drops and one with the Surly Sunrise bars. The bike with the sunrise bars is my Surly 1x1. Loved that setup up. Then threw the Surly corner bars on my 1x1 🤯. Love the corner bars!!! Don’t miss flat bars like I thought I would.