Flat-bar commuter or drop-bar tourer?

[rcannon100]

Flat bar. Good for urban commuting. Solid handlebar with brakes, gears, bell whatever right there with no change in hand position. Good for hopping curbs or dodging taxis. If you look at “urban” bikes, they will usually have flat bars.

I then put extensions on them that allow me to reach forward – extend. When I get on an open trail with little risk of crazy ivans or psycho taxis, I can extend, lowering by back, getting slightly more aerodynamic, and enjoying the ride.

[5555624]

Both? That just means two bikes and we all know one is never enough.

My preference is flat. My commute, errands, etc. has me stopping for Stop signs, traffic lights, pedestrians, and what have you, so a “comfortale” posisiton for riding 50 miles doesn’t matter too much. I also prefer being a bit more upright in traffic. (The Cross-Check is a nice bike, though; I have one, I just don’t use it for commuting.)

[vtben]

I got a Jamis Bosanova to replace a flat-bar Trek. I switched because I wanted something that I could comfortably ride longer distances, but I only have enough space to reasonably store one bike. I don’t think the drop bars make much of a difference for my relatively short commute (5mi one way, Pentagon City to L’Enfant), but I do like them for longer weekend rides.

I will say I’m not thrilled with the stock fenders, though. They seem barely as wide as the tires and I still get some spray off the front wheel at least. Overall it’s a great bike and a huge upgrade from my Trek.

[culimerc]

My wife rides a Jamis Coda comp as her commuter, its probably 8 or 9 years old at this point and has been absolutely reliable. She like the flat bar for the downtown part of her commute.

I’ve been loving my Salsa Vaya for commuting and light touring. Plus it comes in “please dont hit me orange”. And the Ortllieb orange panniers match perfectly, and thats what really matters isnt it??

[consularrider]

For me there are two basic questions.

1. Can I afford more than one bike (and not just from the money standpoint ).

2. Do I have room to store more than one bike?

If I can answer yes to both questions, then I want to have at least a drop bar road bike and a flat bar hybrid. Beyond those two wants, it gets a little more squishy. If I answer no to either question, then I want a drop bar bike that can take fenders, a rack, and studded tires.

[KelOnWheels]

@americancyclo 29570 wrote:

Dirt got me interested in the Tout Terrain bikes, which are now on my most wanted list:

disc, drops, fenders, racks, integrated lighting and even belt drives!

http://www.en.tout-terrain.de/bicycles/the-city/
http://www.en.tout-terrain.de/bicycles/grande-route/

Interesting to see how many of these have 26″ wheels.

[Dirt]

@KelOnWheels 29662 wrote:

Interesting to see how many of these have 26″ wheels.

A lot of these kinds of bikes are done on 26″ wheeled platform to get a little extra wheel strength, as well as be more accommodating to smaller riders. The Amber model is based upon 700c wheels, though they intend it for flat bars. Mine will have drops.

I also will not use the Rohloff internally geared hub. As awesome as they are, I really don’t like the feel and form of their drop bar shifters. I always end up wailing my knee on them at some time or another. I prefer the STI-style shifter that you can get for the Alfine 8 or 11. I chose the 11 because it is better sealed against the elements and generally more robust. I really, really, really want Shimano to release the Di2 Alfine11 hub/shifter (electronic shifting). I’ve seen it on a Raleigh prototype and it looked soooo creamy.

[mstone]

Drops. If I had a short commute I might be interested in an extra flat bar bike for a dedicated short commuter.

[vvill]

@Dirt 29666 wrote:

I really, really, really want Shimano to release the Di2 Alfine11 hub/shifter (electronic shifting).

Y E S S. Dreamy and creamy.

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/shimano-alfine-di2-first-pictures-33229/

[Certifried]

@benbhsu 29637 wrote:

I will say I’m not thrilled with the stock fenders, though. They seem barely as wide as the tires and I still get some spray off the front wheel at least. Overall it’s a great bike and a huge upgrade from my Trek.

Those were the first things I replaced on my Bosanova. I put on a pair of planet bike plastic cheapies for now. For the front wheel, keep in mind that there is a disc brake up there and the hangars that come with most fenders are straight, they won’t fit. Greenbelt used the front rack mounts to mount his fender, which works unless you want a front rack. I recycled the front mount from the stock fenders to mount my planet bike fenders. It worked well enough.

[Dickie]

@Dirt 29558 wrote:

I like a lot of the stuff that Raleigh is doing. Their Single Speed, disc cross bike is really nice. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but a VERY nicely done bike in my eye.

http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/steel-road/cyclocross/furley-13/

Love that bike, considered it a few times, but being the wimpy gear man that I am I might consider the Roper instead

http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/steel-road/cyclocross/roper-13/

[Dirt]

@vvill 29740 wrote:

Y E S S. Dreamy and creamy.

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/shimano-alfine-di2-first-pictures-33229/

I love that they put it on a Felt road bike to show it off.

Not much news on its release yet. It showed up on a few bikes at Eurobike. Still no real release date that I can see. GRRrrrrrr.

[KelOnWheels]

Oh I need to add one of these to my list, while I’m spending my imaginary loot: http://vanillabicycles.com/frames/touring/

[acc]

True Confession: I love trying out other people’s bikes. Sometimes I’m really surprised. Whatever bike you choose, try an assortment. In heavy traffic I like flat bars and sitting up. I have the imaginary feeling that I’m seeing more. Otherwise, drop bars are much easier on my knees, hips and ankles. I learned this renting bikes on vacation.

Test ride an assortment. Get on them and try out a variety so you can honestly say you chose a specific bike because it suited you and not anybody else.

Congratulations, have a great time picking one out.

ann

[TwoWheelsDC]

@KelOnWheels 29872 wrote:

Oh I need to add one of these to my list, while I’m spending my imaginary loot: http://vanillabicycles.com/frames/touring/

The more time you spend spending imaginary loot, the more likely it is that it will become real loot…

[Author]

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