Drop Bars vs Flat Bars: Which Handlebar is Best?

Outline:
Intro - 0:00
Support and subscribe - 1:11
What's the difference - 1:56
Overall comfort - 5:12
Trickle down components
Gear range - 6:44
Shifting - 7:42
Braking - 8:30
Adjustability - 9:15
Bars and bags - 9:40
What we use - 10:40
Survey results - 13:11

Mentioned Links:

#pedalfurther #bikepacking

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Hosted by Neil Beltchenko
Music by:

[itsjustpizza]

I spent so much time riding no handed I just removed them completely. Now my hands are never tired, my bike is even lighter & no one can argue with me about why their handlebar preference is the best for everyone. Win.

[barrybogart]

I agree. Flat all the way. Don't get me wrong, I've been a roadie for 50 years, 30 of that Randonneuring and I did almost all of that with highly flared drop bars (which used to be called 'rando bars', BTW). When you ride all day, different positions is important and if you are riding into the wind, riding on the drops is good.

But as you said 'riding downhill on chunky roads with drop bars' is not fun.. I always thought drop bars on gravel bikes was really a bad idea, engendered I guess by some sense of originating from cyclocross bikes. Anyway I find that a flat bar with bull horns gives me all the positions I need and all the leverage. Unlike probably everyone I put my stubby bullhorns INSIDE the brake levers and not at the bar ends. I don't need more leverage and that gives me a more aerodynamic position if needed for headwinds or tarmac. I can also transition to the brake levers much faster than with outboard bullhorns. Sometimes you have to slow down fast. Everyone should try that. On trails I am mainly an the bar, but on tarmac I'm usually on the bullhorns. But I do switch on long stretches.

[arbondisunarjo]

I live in tropical country. Riding my bike for days during wet season on mixed muddy, slippery stones, asphalt and dense sigletracks has become challenging as I grew old. I relied on my flatbar bike for years, but still want to ride my dropbar for more predictable routes.

[ericpmoss]

I have yet to find anything that works for me as well as some kit from 1989. All the options are race solutions for very specific kinds of competition, wiggled around to where they can pretend to be practical. Even looking at the demo video, it's a downhill race with a loaded bike, something only superman, a YouTube content creator, or a fool would do in the middle of nowhere. No one discusses how a super wide bar really only makes sense for someone in the RedBull body position. Nor do they discuss how extra wide has the same effect on your back and chest as greater drop, and how drop bars extend the reach unless the stem compensates. It's foolish to use bar ends when brake levers aren't reachable, but no one discusses the obvious solution of L-shaped levers like were available 30 years ago, because it doesn't look pro. If the bend and upsweep of some of these bars works for you, great, but I don't know people whose wrists are in a strong position when cocked like that. I know it sounds like griping, but the bike industry is paying attention to the wrong things for most people's needs.

[richlijacanacua]

I used flat-bar for almost 5 months in my city daily commuting and long distances and short distances mountain climbing week-ends. Then in the long runs of usage I do not feel comfortable anymore because of limited positions, only upright and a little bending of my elbows to relax my back and my hips.

Then one time we met my friend and did 2 hours lapping of almost 1.5 kms. Oval tracks with an average speeds of 35-45 kms/hours. He is using his Road bike with drop bar and I using my Gravel bike with flat bar.

Then we switched bikes and suddenly I discover how comfortable the handling of drop-bar. My back feeling relax when I leaning on for Aerodynamic position. I can also do upright position putting my both hands on-top of the flat-bar on the part of drop bar handle. I can also lean a bit for aerodynamic position, that so relaxing and comfortable by holding the STI handles. Then I can easily accelerate pedaling the bikes with freely exhaling and inhaling the air. The balance and positioning of my body on the bike is so comfortable.

So from that experienced I decided to change my flat-bar to drop-bar. ‘Till now I am enoying using my Gravel bike for daily commuting in the city and long distances plain and mountainous roads ang gravels.

[BbenjaminSsmith]

I think a lot of people assume being a serious cyclist means you need drops bars. But do what’s comfy for you!

[belverticale]

For flat bars, bar ends (quite unfashionable these days) are the key for different hand positions over long distances to prevent any numbness. Set them quite flat (about 30 degrees) and you have about four positions, not just two .For drop bars, use two layers of bar tape for comfort.

[kathardt-holoch]

As a long time mountain biker, I prefer flat bars. The control and braking is just better for me. I do have one bike with a drop bar, which I use for my road and short-cut-on-dirt road riding. Since I'm less than 5'2" reach is always an issue. Therefore, I use 760mm bars on my mountain bike. Any wider and it moves me too far forward and is harder on my shoulders. I run either carbon or aluminum on my bikes. I actually really like the carbon bar as my wrists don't get as tired.

[thomasjousse]

Drop bars all the way, for the road, single tracks, with or without flare.
I just find them way more ergonomic and, weirdly enough, somewhat easier to control in almost all terrains.
More subjectively, I also find them cooler to look at. :p

[Uxoriousness]

Flat bars with bar ends mounted inside the brake levers. Works great for all types of biking, including road biking.

[kimberlyhawks]

I never knew I loved drops like I do now, until I got a Fargo with the Woodchipper bar. I’m short (and somewhat timid on rough stuff); the woodchipper gives me confidence and is comfy. I use all the hand positions on those long days including the drops which are at quite an angle.

[tomg.]

I was a drop-bar guy and still prefer them on road and gravel bikes but for bike packing, a mountain bike with flat-bars plus Ergon grips and aero clamp-ons works great. Tons of hand positions.

[JakeLuke]

Such controversy! It is an individuals choice of course, but I've used Ritchy Venturemax, Jones Loop Bars and the Salsa Moloko bars. The best I've used is the Moloko, by far. Good hand position options, great aero positions and it holds a handlebar bag and a Slap Bag at the same time.

[BikeCampChill]

Currently using PNW Range flat bars with Ergon bar ends. I’ll swap grips to test different ones out. I’m so familiar with flats at this point it seems like drops would be too alien. Based on the survey though, it still looks like flats may be best if you only have one bar and one bike and want to ride comfortably on anything and everything that may come your way.

[freequest]

Generally prefer drop bars but turn upside down, so the drops are up. For me makes for a more upright seating position.

[sd]

I really do like the thumbs-forward orientation of my hands for long duration riding, but I prefer knuckles-forward for control. I've ended up with flat bars with some 1990's Onza bar ends placed inboard of the levers as a best compromise.

[toejoe]

Also worth mentioning is that you can fit much larger handle bar bags to a flat bar simply because drop bars are less wide. if you plan to stay a couple of weeks / months on the road that's sth to consider. Be sure the drop bar isnt bent like crasy this helps with mounting a battery light, smartphone etc. straight forward in riding direction.

[Name-vukn]

When you talk about flat vs drop performance is important but hand and wrist positioning is important too. Flat bars promote tilting the hands backward to push the bars, putting a huge kink in your wrist. Riding drops with your hands on the hoods (where most people ride most of the time) is a much more natural position. To prove it let a hanging arm raise to your shoulder. Your hand will look like your going to shake somebody’s hand, fingers slightly curled, thumb inward. Much in the same way your hands rest on the hoods. People get carpal tunnel from typing in the position that is promoted by flats.

[itsmarcomong]

The best handlebar is the one I did not buy yet ✌🏽

Jokes apart, it’s too much personal and due to the rest bike setup like gear (quality can be too expensive to afford) and some more stuff.
I keep following your videos hoping to get a good hint and they always come.

I’m a proud owner of a surly’s moloko bar … best solution for me.

[outbackwack]

I always get hand numbness using drop bars but NEVER on MTB bars. When I decide on my next bike for bikepacking/all 'round it more likely than not will be full suspension because I love mountain biking. My current bars are Renthal Fat Bar carbon in 760mm, but I will be changing to more sweep and rise with a longer stem in the fall. Thanks!