Compact vs. Standard Drop Bars

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Drop bars are arguably the most popular type of bike handlebar for good reason: they're versatile, they're fast, they're comfortable, they look great. The two most popular type of drop bars are the standard drop and the compact drop. But which one is best for you? Here's the pros and cons of compact vs. standard drop bars, so you can figure out which one is best for you and your bike.

Ryan Witt
Robby Andaya
David K.
Ellie Lovelace
Justin Javier
Kelvin Ho
Julian Corona
Fixed Federation
OC Bike Crew
Stan Strong 108
Brandon Black
Zane Kolnik

Dominic Jones
Seungwan Kim
Chris
Crash
Simon Newton
Javier Lopez
M.
Martin Mohr
Young Architect
Nick
Scott Palangi
Todd Brannan
Epilektric
Michael Greif
Nicodache

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[robertcasey]

3:05 Compact bars actually give more room for your wrists and forearms when compared to standard drops where your hands go in "deeper" in the curve, which requires you to have more horizontal forearms. The drops in compact bars are further back than ones in standard bars.

[grinningidiot]

I actually ride with a set of flared drops off a gravel bike. They're as wide as standard drops and have all the comfort pros of compact drops but the flair gives plenty of clearance for my wrist and kicks the brake lever out at a slight angle that I find more comfortable to grab when needed. I'm the only fixie rider I have met who uses gravel bike bars but I swear they are a game changer.

[EricReyes]

Track drops for the city because i like making it more difficult for myself

[tartoras]

I came here exclusively to say: Zach, please make a video covering the most legendary track/fixed bike frames. Every passing quarter a “dream build” video pops up with a new frame id never heard of and i want more. Like that crazy cinelli prototype that went for 40k.

[silentperkons]

Before you go track drops just know that the horizontal space for your hands is really limited. If you do a long ride it's harder to bounce around to stay comfortable. If I could go back I'd do classic for my commute bike.

[TheArtOfB]

Got some brevM drop bars some years ago and love 'em!

[derekmosher]

Track drops are way to deep and my standard drops are alright but always wanted to try the compact drops . I`m just starting a project build and not sure if it`s gonna be a single speed or a 7 speed and was going to use my drop bars from my fixed gear but may try compact drops on this instead . Thanks for the idea man . Now I`m a take one of my bikes out for a burn around the city .

[event]

Swapped risers for moustaches to have more natural hand position and love them. Riding mostly on tops of drops is like having narrow risers or straight bars with no backsweep.

[tmayberry]

So I have a vintage Schwinn Le tour and the bars are narrow and flared with a drop of 6 inches and 14 inches from brake hood to brake hood. Are they consider compact in today's standards

[razellekentcalvario]

Can i use standard bar on my mtb and my brakes and shift will fit ?

[richardcook]

I have what I refer to as ‘track drops’ really deep and narrow and slightly tapered outward when you look form the front

[bimse]

Thx man. I am waiting for my cinelli vigorelli rainbow to arrive and don't know which drop bar to buy 🙏👍🏆

[alexhernandez]

Your best, I got into single speed bikes because of you & riding single speed is amazing and can you a review on the retrospec single speed and what to upgrade on it

[joffroyboutin]

Brake levers have a lot to do with comfort when riding on the hoods. I find many old style brake levers are too short for my hands when on the hoods.

[mervincortes]

May ask if can i cut my threaded/quill stem in order to shorten its height?

[raffitchakmakjian]

I just put Salsa Woodchipper on my fixie and kinda wish I went with something narrower in hindsight.

[rushbberlin]

Hey zach i suggest you to try. Ave maldea frame and fork. Ave maldea is a great frame builder in the philippines triple triangle frame or standard frame

[and]

Love the frame geometry of that wabi, but that's barely purple. I need a deep majestic royal purp.

[jamesfiegel]

I love my drops over time I have tried all the styles but always come back to standard drops which I can dive into the wind 😏

[shredder_shazza]

Zach, what’s your opinion on fixie goons?