Flat Bar Vs Drop Bar Road Bikes | Comfort, Speed & Ease

[@gcn]

Introducing a friend to cycling? Make sure you share this with them.

[@sourpatxh253]

Global Cycling Network hi GCN could you guys please reply my email. Thanks

[@JMise]

Yeah, this is the perfect video for noobs. "See, this is going to happen if you refuse to shift to the small ring at walking pace." :)

[@Sgt6217]

What if you slam the drop bar bike?

[@arifazhari7598]

since GMBN and GCN have new presenters, could you make GCN VS GMBN game of bike or presenter challenge ? maybe you could add like random bike choice for the challenge. Cheers and keep up the good content. #torqueback

[@sapinva]

Have to call bs on this one. Top bar length way too short for the riders. With the right sized frame any bike is fast with your elbows beside the stem. One thing is correct, road drops are basically useless for everything. Only reason they still exist is uci rules. Pursuit, bullhorns, chopped or wide flat bars, track drops are all superior in most ways to road drops.

[@barriewilliams4526]

At 82 I now ride mainly flat bars (kinder on my arthritic neck lol) but I still ride my drop bar bike when I'm feeling good :) So the answer might be, have more than one bike.....

[@DJLongLastin]

N+1 is always the solution

[@pigletofgreed7747]

A recumbent would be even more comfortable, but they are excessively " uncool" and too different from the herd

[@AndyWJP]

Yep, I have both types. One flat bar with front suspension for riding around town and the dropped bar for speedy exercise out in the countryside.

[@robertjsmith]

i agree city bike flat bars with mudguards for wet,drop bars when dry,and when you get older flat bars for better posture.

[@michaelmccarthy3704]

So when you go from flat to drop do you notice extra discomfort on your back/neck?

[@1989srjones]

Can't believe you didn't call it the Eggility Test.

[@gcn]

We're sorry Stephen, hope it didn't ruin the video for you

[@1989srjones]

Slightly but I still battled through to the end :)

[@clarencetaylor7455]

Different Yokes for different folks

[@GordonMoat]

Completed without anyone getting egg on their face. It was egg-citing!

[@EXROXX]

Or maybe the eggsperiment

[@barrybarnard836]

I got my first bike in 1959, with drop bars, I am now 70 and still have drop bars, once a roady always a roady :)

[@buckroger6456]

Love it. That's what I've told people about being a mountain biker.

[@soissesglaubsmir292]

You better should write: "once sporting, always sporting!" ("I´m not an ordinary mainstream guy!") ;)

[@mahogma66]

I got my first bike in 1964, with drop bars. Since then I've had road bikes, mountain bikes, recumbents and most recently an all carbon e-bike with flat bars. I'm 71 and not set in my ways.

[@maxmustermann3162]

I got my first bike in 1997, when I was 3. Now I'm 25 and still a flat bar cyclist!

[@Alvaro-em1dj]

Got my first bike in 2005,i was 3! Always rode mountainbikes (hardtails) But i switched to bmx!

[@AHR_James]

Key difference for me is the added awareness when riding in town that you get with the flat bar - more upright - position

[@whatskrakalaken1940]

Great point.

[@leikeze6642]

RIGHT, one of the reason why I like hybrid or commuting bike, they come up with straight handlebar, it can also be relaxed with upright position. Well ye im not into racing, im good with 30kph not that much wind resistance. Update: I love my road bike now with a drop bar, and I main it now 🤣 what I learned on my road bike is you have at least 3 different positions on long ride, no back pain and groin pain 🤣 sorry, but i just love long rides, drop bars are more efficient 🤘

[@nate4912]

@@leikeze6642 Dutch bikes are also good with these.

[@Narcostic]

@@leikeze6642 Which one would you recommend to someone doing 2 hour peformance rides(high cadance with tempo) in the city's main roads everyday?

[@leikeze6642]

@@Narcostic @Narcostic you said performance ride? So you're doing Exercises? If you have a route where there is a climb like 15% gradient then Go for Hybrid bike with large cassette (High cadence u said?) If your route is only flats not more than 8% gradient then road bike is efficient with a 11-25 or 11-28t cassette Regardless of current flow of traffic, both bikes i mentioned is good, 2hrs ride isnt that long unless you're doing a high intensity training (non stop pedalling) If i we're you, if you're not into racing pick the hybrid bike, If u love long rides Im gonna tell u any bike that has drop bar is more efficient

[@benl6121]

Hours of watching British cycling videos has taught me many things, not the least of which is that I need to go cycling in Britain.

[@James-xr7pb]

Get cameras, road thugs are rampant... even in the countryside.

[@alberttsang4019]

@@James-xr7pb road thugs? Scary

[@James-xr7pb]

@@alberttsang4019 Bad Drivers.

[@dukekaboom4105]

If you hire a bike in the UK remember the brakes are in the opposite position.

[@benl6121]

@@dukekaboom4105 This is seriously good advice. Thanks!

[@manfromnantucket9544]

Imagine going to your local dog park and seeing two grown men in full racing kit trying to ride their road bikes through the grass and over a log for seemingly no reason Wild

[@arpansolomon7572]

They are recording for the video, so they have a reason.

[@fauzanbri]

@@arpansolomon7572 a joke?

[@Hazeder422]

@@arpansolomon7572 to a random onlooker though they might not realise this

[@poneill65]

I think most of the villagers in their exclusive little shire idyll will know that it's just a couple of public school hooray's gallivanting about trying any old wank to "create" a KZbin channel for their resume. I guess there aren't currently any intern spots at the BBC rich-kid after-school program.

[@DocBlasto]

Is there not a cameraman there as well?

[@pickle24]

I prefer flat bar because: -I go to school with my bike and carrying a backpack is easier -I don't care much for aerodinamics -I feel safer and the hand is always ready to brake

[@glove8888]

What kind of bike do you have? Just curious , I'm looking to find a simple basic bike to get to and from places.

[@nonamenoname7549]

Yeah me too its easier that that drop

[@damien2627]

@@glove8888 not him but I got a c a Cannondale adventure 3

[@Delfintus]

@@glove8888using bike to go at work, as to much sitting in the office, for themselves i found best is flat bar with alfine ( nexus) gears 8 or 11, its really Lincoln in today bikes. Used before drop bar + usual shimano 24 gears, but it required maitenance every year. with Alfine you jsut buy and use it for ages.

[@josephsissler1103]

Old and with neck issues so went with flat bar...you can upgrade the grips with bar ends

[@kenshoalexander3491]

Drop Bar: I am speed Flat Bar: I am agility

[@riverwater2922]

i have no idea what is the difference

[@tesario6039]

@@riverwater2922 A wider handlebar gives you more control. While a drop bar gives you a more streamlined seat, which gives you speed

[@erenlim1929]

@@riverwater2922 speed is to be able to move fast in one direction and agility is the ability to go through certain obstacles with speed

Drop Bar: I'll make your back really sore

[@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess]

Cruiser handlebars: 😎🍹☀️

[@Max-it1wm]

I’m mostly a commuter and a mountain biker, not a cyclist but I prefer the flat bar. I find it more friendly to my posture and It feels more comfortable for a casual ride

[@theshadowking3198]

Flat bars are a standard for mountain bikes you will now see drop bars on a mountain bike

[@imjonathan6745]

@@theshadowking3198 theyre called gravel bikes if iirc?

[@Alex-kr7zr]

@@imjonathan6745 Gravel bike == road bike with fat tyres and bigger gear range. Cross bike == hard tail MTB with thin tyres.

[@vladimirputin3426]

1:04 that face though, he looks like a murderer cycling after a victim

[@kyle9362]

HAHAHHAHHAH

[@kyle9362]

2:46

[@darkproject3368]

OMG LOLLL

[@healerdreamer7545]

Modousoji

[@jai4648]

@@healerdreamer7545 HAHAHAH YOWAMUCHI PEDAL REFERENCE

[@GordonMoat]

I exercise on a slammed road bike, but commute on a flat bar single speed. The main advantage I found with the flat bar is that I can see ahead better, due to sitting more upright.

[@gcn]

Nice choice Gordon

[@antred11]

@dolofonos It seems pretty obvious that you would have to bend your neck more to look ahead if you're leaning forward more.

[@edgarcook9607]

Slammed like a pickup truck? How does that work exactly?

[@GordonMoat]

@@edgarcook9607 Southern California expression. Means that basically the seat height is noticeably above the bar height.

[@kaycepeda4711]

dolofonos “I have both, and have noticed that this is what works best for me” YEAH WELL LET ME TELL YOU WHY YOU’RE WRONG KZbin comment sections are the worst.

[@beetoven8193]

You guys are young and fit, so I'll forgive your neglecting to mention that older cyclists naturally suffer more discomfort on the drop-bars. Backs and necks!

[@waltblackadar4690]

True dat. I can't ride drop bars any more due to back issues but I an comfortably ride flats. Drop bars were great in my teens and 20s. Flat bars are great for those of us who can join AARP.

[@brucewmclaughlin9072]

That is one reason I changed the entire bike vs looking at another diamond frame that may or may not be anymore comfortable .

[@brucewmclaughlin9072]

@Robert Trageser When i rode my diamond frame bikes with the drop bars ,I too would change my hand position about every 15 minutes to counteract the road shock, however now that I ride a recumbent bike I have 2 positions on the bars and either one is comfortable without gloves and without changing position for literally hours on end. It is a touring recumbent and not something so low that all you can see is the printing on the sidewalls of whatever car you are next to. I get to look into the beady deranged eyes of car owners who think cyclists should not exist. Lots of people get to the point of having too many pains and give up cycling to pursue something less painful , whereas there are alternatives out there that the mainline bike shops will not tell you about as they want to sell a bike fit and a new bike to you.

[@brucewmclaughlin9072]

@Robert Trageser If you ever do try a recumbent , buy used first as it won't be your last bike and you will save money on the learning curves of what is available in long, medium,or short wheel base models. Seats can be carbon, RFP, or like mine a full mesh . Lots more variety in recumbents for frame configuration for passive suspension to fully suspended models and each has it's own set of values . It makes a substantial difference not having to hold your head up to see where you are going and to not have any pains at the end of a long ride. Unfortunately you just can't get past having tired leg muscles, riding anything.

[@Eierkneifer69]

@@waltblackadar4690 You, sir, must have the coolest profile picture ever. I actually wiped over my screen thinking there's a hair or something on it. :D Thanks for this slight amusement.

[@slimelord314]

Super fun video! As an xc racer I will add that flat bars have 2 extra positions if you get creative. The easy one is grabbing the bars as narrow as you can (close to the stem) which allows you to tuck a little bit and put your elbows at 90. The more adventurous one is to do the "phantom aero bars" by placing you elbows on the bars. I do these when there are long stretches of road in an xc race (:

[@gcn]

one for advanced riders!

[@slimelord314]

Global Cycling Network aw shucks 😊

[@TheShotenZenjin]

Matheus Barbosa Hands close to the stem on a flat bar (or even on the tops with drops) leaves many riders too far from their brakes (unless they’re in a situation in which there’s 100% certainty brakes will not be needed). Perhaps one of the advantages of a fixed gear bike where your legs can help you stop!

[@slimelord314]

TheShotenZenjin agreed. I hardly ever do it on a training/leisure ride. For my local races the police blocks off the road sections during the race

[@djohnson1981]

You can do both of those on a drop bar bike also. Plus, drop bars have the flat behind the drops that I use a lot on lengthy flats.

[@michaellynn9763]

I changed to road biking in 2012 after about 8 years of mountain biking, mainly out of curiosity, and while intimidated at the drop bars, I was amazed at how stable they were. However, I converted it to a flat bar in 2017 after losing my love of early morning cycling without traffic. I moved to China in 2019 and have recently bought a road bike with drops, and now reflect on why I changed in the first place and may never go back. The cycle lanes in Beijing are sometimes two car lanes wide and can therefore afford to use the drops on long flats. I recently seen a fully carbon Pinarello Dogma (old model) for about £300 and am thinking of converting it to a flatbar to use as a gravel/touring bike with wider tires in the more rural areas....when the restrictions lift!

[@klentmorponce6016]

Ppppp ppl pppppp ppl p0 ppl ppl ppppp plopped p00ppppp ppl 0 pop 00p

[@Lee-One]

Nice, thanks for sharing

[@neft16]

I like the conclusion that the flat bar is the one to get if you are doing an egg course or riding over beams.

[@tonyb9735]

Which is great, very funny and everything, but actually missed a serious point. That section should have lead into the gravel bike conversation. The real conclusion is that flat bars offer better control and better braking, especially when riding on rougher terrain. So if you are buying a bike for gravel riding, whether you expect to spend more or less time off-road than on would have a real-life bearing on whether flats or drops would be better suited for you.

[@jimsolari7141]

The only thing the drop bar won on was speed

[@ADM-wt9cn]

@@tonyb9735 Why not just get a flat bar, and add aero clip on bars for when you need speed? Wouldnt that help in itself cover the speed

[@robertwrites925]

I use flat bars. Just better control. In the city if you're commuting with a road bike and choosing speed over agility then you're asking for trouble. Great video. Thanks.

[@oumtaha3834]

Yes I am i take to clothes said

[@trapbois4573]

personally commuter/performance hybrids happen to be my favorite type of bikes. You can still go pretty fast though the bicycle frames are slightly heavier, work pretty well offroad like on gravel and dry dirt tracks and its flat handle bars allow for better postures, reduced back pain and better control. Road bikes are incredibly fun to ride because of the incredible speeds you can move at but you definitely notice reduced control when you are riding on terrain that isn't road. I mean even if its just a few pebbles on the road you can still feel it and its something I can ride for short periods of time. Since commuter bikes offer versatility while still moving nearly as fast as road bikes, I would always take a commuter.

[@hectorl.ibarra6566]

Is there any difference between commuter and touring bikes?

[@lazylonewolf]

@@hectorl.ibarra6566 Not an expert, but AFAIK touring bikes are built to be more durable to carry all those bike bags, so they're often more expensive. As for commuters, technically, any bike can be a commuter, but racks, fenders, reflectors/lighting make a bike better specced for commuting.

[@billzielke6798]

You can always add bar ends to flat bars if you want more hand positions.

[@docholliday3861]

Can add drop bar on flat bar?Sorry dont understand

[@DasDieDerErik]

​@@docholliday3861no, but you can add bar ends (the "horns" some mountain bikes have) to a flat bar to provide you with another option for positioning your hands

[@javiermierda2286]

Speed vs Agility, Stability and comfortability

[@darkproject3368]

11:01 they gathered a wholesome little crowd how cool lol

[@lafamillecarrington]

I changed from drops to flat bars and didn't enjoy the extra wind resistance, so added aero bars - which solved the problem, and I love the combination.

[@johnnydoe7616]

You can have a flat bar aero combination?

[@robinseibel7540]

FYI, while your tests look a lot like the flat bar vs. drop bar bike comparos we did in the lab at NASA, there is one big difference: we had lasers. We didn't use them in the bike tests, but nevertheless we had lasers.

[@gcn]

Dang, need more lasers next time. Noted.

[@georgegray2712]

All we ask for are some bikes with frickin laser beams on the handlebars!

[@cbfedge5593]

@@georgegray2712 is that so much to ask?!

[@splashpit]

Had lasers but faked the test .

[@anton3752]

But... but. They had lasers

[@wdude33]

This is the kind of video I've been looking for. The current situation has me (and many others) cycling everywhere so I've been looking to invest in a new bike. These videos are definitely helping with my shoping around

[@dylanmoran9922]

You could switch the bars if you don’t like it

[@tonybruce]

@@dylanmoran9922 straight bars to drop bars is an insane amount of effort and money in most cases

[@ItsNotSilence]

Drop bars: Speed Focused Flat bars: Agility Focused

[@vika0194]

Don’t forget flat bars offer more comfort too

[@ricksterling7944]

"Mom, the boys are out playing in the street with eggs again"......

[@VijayKumar_Boss]

I prefer flat bars forever. Anybody who's liking flat bars?

[@aarontolentino8287]

Yeah I agree

[@pjny21]

I ride in Queens, NYC. Honestly couldn't imagine using drops for everyday things.

[@ashutosh3252]

Indian traffic demand flat bars

[@kratkidokumentarci224]

That is the reason i dont want go buy roady, i love motorbikes but dont rven have licence so i ride my bicycle like motogp i have perfect road close to me for that even slight downhill... Idk what to do to make my bike faster but without changing its flat bars, should i go for full sus or hibrid, 1.95 tires or 1.75..

[@joaodias4411]

Same here, I have no intention to win the Tour de France this year lol, so I prefer flat bars. And it’s ok even when I do 60 or 70 kms rides.

[@achtervolger6649]

5:46 Ollie: "Experiment two!" and holds up one finger. Classic Matt.

[@123moof]

Y'all need to do an episode on the many "alt-bars". These range from wildly flared drop bars, to swept back "flat" bars, and many much more bizarre incarnations. I've become a big fan of Jones Loop H-bars that give both a wide mountain position, as well as a narrow forward position closer to being in the hoods, and with a Narwhal addition you get a TT aero position for battling through headwinds or bombing down road descents. Once you get outside of the strictly MTB/roadie mindset there are some great handlebar positions that are great for things in-between bombing down trails and being a MAMIL (middle aged man in lycra) living out a TDF fantasy.

[@rachelletourneau8864]

Oh my gosh I love the creativity and the fun to just assist others in making a decision. This definitely helped me make the decision to stay with flat bars for my bike needs

[@NaeMuckle]

I am the ultimate anti cyclist. I ride a hybrid with road bike gearing , suspension seatpost and aero clip on bars on my flat bars. Its covered in bike packing bags and its still got reflectors fitted as well as mudguards.

[@T3HR3PP4]

Once, I had to ride through a puddle without fenders. Once.

[@anant6778]

@@T3HR3PP4 Always get full length fenders on your bike, no matter how much effort or money it takes. Always worth it. Always.

[@T3HR3PP4]

@@anant6778 Amen, brother.

[@sepg5084]

How does that make you an anti-cyclist? If you are riding a bike, then you are a cyclist.

[@NaeMuckle]

@@sepg5084 because I don't ride around like a full kit wanker in the tour de France taking up the whole road because my wife's cheating on me.

[@Dr4g0nW00d]

Flat bar with bullhorns on the side yeah i am a 90's xc rider :-p

[@gcn]

🤘

[@Pionirish]

Aka 80s TT bike position

[@jeffreywilliams3646]

That's how I configured my commuter. Gives me a second hand position for when I make the ride home a long ride. My road bike (aka fun bike) has drops.

[@Dr4g0nW00d]

also when the wind is in front of you grab those bullhorns and lay flat and go full out

[@air_preep]

I’ve always heard them being called antlers...

[@danielho5635]

When it comes to climbing steep hills and being out of the saddle, I find using drop bars with hands on the brake hoods to be superior ergonomic position of any hand/bar combination.

[@cyborg7758]

The contador way. I like

[@robertvirnig638]

Actually riding with a flat bar with bar ends gives you a hand position superior to hoods for climbing hills. I'm not sure why bar ends have gone out of style but they are a must for me. I've ridden all kinds of bikes over the years including a touring bike with butterfly bars which offer the most possible hand positions and are great for 10 hours day after day on a long expedition. I've gotten older and have retired my racing bike in favor of something simpler with flat bars to get my exercise on.

[@RameshKumar-el4su]

Unless you not on even road

[@sirrey0]

@@robertvirnig638 dude this is the answer that i've been looking for. Hybrid vs road.

[@Commsfarage]

​@@robertvirnig638 you learn more forward on the goods standing up what I prefer over drops going up hills but like also putting my hands on the centre of the bars sat down. More versatile

[@robertsharples9822]

Think placement of brakes is also important. The drops are versatile but if you're hands are on the top bar, you're a long way from the brakes which is a bit risky if you're in a city on busy roads. Can see why a flat bar is better for that.

[@andrewdyke5561]

I agree fully why i feel safety brakes on drops is a must of your riding in city

[@nicoleilechie3789]

@@andrewdyke5561what are safety breaks ?

[@GorgeGeorg]

You can add handlebar ends to your 'flat' handlebars to give your hands/wrists a 'rotational' change on long rides to relieve stress. They can also add a little protection to your hands if someone opens their door on you on the street.

[@dudydude3287]

Ive never had someone open their door on me in the street

[@grahamriley8124]

This widens your position and changes your reach and actually means less comfort. Flat bars are quite wide anyway.

[@sid28]

For the flat bar, for speed, what i do is hold my hand so my thumb is past the end of the grip, and the rest of my hand is on the grip, and I keep my elbows down. It helps.

[@yeetzyy4873]

i don't care if a bike have drops or flat bars.. i just care when ur in the full speed that u can hear the wind that touching your ear...feels heaven

[@Re-bl5sr]

Yes to this.

[@DanielaAndBenny4ever]

Yeeesss! Video record it and you'll hearit clearly

[@assassin7250]

I’m a newbie but when I ride my road bike why it feel heavy? Please explain thanks

[@DanielaAndBenny4ever]

@@assassin7250 if it feels heavy its then heavy

[@assassin7250]

@@DanielaAndBenny4ever Its normal though right? for Road bike.

[@shannonayres9566]

Ollie has good camera presence. I'm glad you added him to your team.

[@gcn]

Thanks Shannon

[@earl1394]

Now he's a permanent fixture!

[@Soyquiensoy888]

Was fun to watch 😂 thank you for helping with my decision I desired for the flat bar 🙏

[@gcn]

Glad our video helped!

[@Narcostic]

Impressive charming photo!

[@Nathan-tg4gu]

Drop bars all the way. I get uncomfortable from sitting at one angle for too long. Even after 10 minutes I'm ready to switch it up. Having 3 seating positions just makes the experience so much better for me. Not to mention the amazing speed gains when zipping down hills.

[@alexmaddox2255]

Watching this 3 years after the fact, but I commute on hybrids and I've just gone for a more road bike orientated hybrid, still with flat bars. It gives me the best of both worlds. Easier to maintain speed because of the skinny tyres, but a more upright position in traffic when I get into more built up areas, which is crucial to me. The flat bars do also provide greater agility, great for avoiding pedestrians and cars that happen to not see you. I think of it as, flat bars are a car with more downforce, the penalty is outright speed but with more agility. Drop bars are a car built with speed in mind, so lower downforce, but with lost agility.

[@alexmaddox2255]

@@scottsellsFL went for a Giant FastRoad SL 3 2022 Flat Bar Road Bike (its a hybrid despite the name). To be totally honest, I didn't get on with it. It felt like they had invested a lot of money into the carbon front forks, but everything else was compromised because of it. The rubber on the handle bar is cheap, it's under braked, gears are fussy. Good seating position and it's very light, so easy to maintain speed. However, I wish I'd gone for a more mountain bike orientated hybrid again, my previous one was and just absorbed bumps on urban roads better and was more agile. The loss in top end speed between the road focused and the mountain bike focused bike just wasn't great enough to warrant the trade off in my eyes. Having said all of that, if you spent more money than I did, you could get a better bike so maybe that was my mistake. But, I was buying out of necessity not choice because my other hybrid was written off in a smash so I didn't have time to save/ do as much research as I would have liked.

[@TapCat]

I love that you guys had a cheering section that had started watching you attempt the "Wooden Beams of Death." They were hilarious!

[@DinnerForkTongue]

Holy crap, Tap, you watch cycling stuff too? Nice to see you here, my man! On topic: these are roadies attempting the mother of all skinnies. I'd sit by and watch too 😆

[@TapCat]

@@DinnerForkTongue Yup, I fell in love with this channel during my hiatus!

[@BikeTall]

I have ALWAYS preferred flat bars. Particular when riding thru NYC traffic. I felt i had much better maneuverability. I also was sitting up higher and saw my surroundings better. All around a much more comfortable & safer option for city riding. But i also prefer flat bars when touring too. Again for the upright seating position. I like the position of the gear shifters on flat bars too. I added bar end grips to my flat bars for extra hand positions and its fine for me. Sure you have more resistance with flatbars being in a more upright seating position...but i go plenty fast. Sure if all out speed is your thing...go for drop bars. But i could not imagine doing touring on drop bars. I am 6’4” tall and my back would kill me hunched over on a tour. I think the whole extra hand position argument for drop bars kind of misleading. All you gotta do is add bar end grips on flatbars and that solves that problem. And if you install butterfly type flat bars...i would argue they have more hand positions than drop bars. But again, totally subjective. Its all good. Depends on what you are into.

[@ryan_alexander]

"Completed it, mate" Good to see James Buckley from Inbetweeners getting some love

[@bikebudha01]

The BIG question you need to answer is "what type of surfaces will I be going over". The one place drop bars fail miserably is long gravel decents. Why? The bars are narrow, and road brake hoods are NOT meant to used for long periods of time. Your hands will cramp trying to brake with roads hoods after a few minutes. And your braking will not be as good. And the narrow bars mean less control. IF you do long gravel decents (or even long paved decents), flat bars offer better, easier, safter braking/hand positions.

[@fullstacklab]

then why do all those gravel bikes have drop bars? that's just a big fail

[@bikebudha01]

@@fullstacklab they have drop bars because they don't know what they are doing. or they they have only ridden very timid flat non-tech gravel roads...

[@gailschuetze6769]

Exactly, very Well stated 👏

[@HkFinn83]

I don’t know if i totally agree but I do agree that bikes were never designed to be ridden on the hoods. The older road bikes didn’t actually really allow you to do that and it’s something that’s come about by accident with the changing shape of drop handlebars

[@bikebudha01]

@@HkFinn83 I ride on plenty of flat typical gravel roads. Drop bars work fine here. But I also ride lots of forest service roads, that are a mix of gravel and dirt/rock. And they are mountainous. I'm talking descending for 30 to 60 minutes straight. Braking from the hoods in this scenario just doesn't work.

[@Aman1nFull]

Really solid analysis. A lot of people would try to sum up the differences in ten seconds but you guys actually take the time to investigate. Good camera-work too!

[@preston77021]

The hit detection technology is amazing

[@kakarot2430]

I used to commute with my MTB. During a fast long section road, I usually went into the "fake" TT position...

[@faviosolimo4419]

Answer is in the name of the bike itself. Road bike (usually with drop bars) is for doing longer distances in roads or routes when you are not in the middle of traffic in highly populated areas and not crossing intersections all the time and when it is not that important been seen from the vehicles that could appear from the streets. In that case a commuter bike with flat bars is much more efficient, maneuverable and comfortable bike. I live in Buenos Aires and that is why I use my mtb for commuting and only use my road bike when I go out to do some kilometers at weekends. Another very important reason for choosing my mtb for commuting is that hydraulic brakes are much more dependable for many surprises that usually happen on traffic. Greetings from Argentina!

[@ertugrul9891]

Drinking game: take a shot everytime they say "Aerodynamics" and try not to get into a coma

[@phabletfortyfour3457]

Finally a test on this 👍. "Flat bars only offer one hand position" well no that's not so, watch any mtb xc or marathon event and u will see riders hands each side of the stem when on a stretch of flat road. This combined with low body position gives reasonable aero too.

[@RuezgaDaniel]

Phablet Fortyfour I agree, nobody ever mentions the ability to put your hands near the stem and go aero on flat bars. It can actually feel pretty fast, even on a mountain bike!

[@smalerider1727]

Hand position has more to do with wrists. Flat bar I'm always going to have my wrists parallel to my shoulders.

[@bigring6424]

Smale rider, yes, and you're always going to have the weight on the same part of your hand.

[@innocentiuslacrim2290]

If wanting to go fast, one can always put on aero bar attachments to those flatbars or if wanting to have more relaxed positions, there are plenty of alternative flat bar shapes (like jones h-bar, mustache bars, even butterfly bars).

[@ps3customgamer]

Neck strain vs comfort nope comfort every time I’m not competing

[@kudosbudo]

You wanna know whats really daft. On BMX bars you can get MORE comfort BUT you can get more aero cos you cna get into the TT position due to the cross bar as its usually the right height. So On my 29 inch BMX when i want to go fast I just rest my forearms on the cross bar and get low and narrow.

[@Jxrd99]

@@kudosbudo You can do that on any bike tbf. While riding long straight roads on my mountain bike, you can literally just slide ya hands in and hold right by the stem

[@barotia]

I personally find that easier to maneuver in the city with a drop bar, especially between cars, since its narrower. We do not have any cycling route :(

[@khalliddo1385]

Have you tried a narrow flatbar? That would be a amazing experience.

[@fjp3305]

I'm changing my drop bar to an almost flat bar on my road bike. And it's not only for beginners, it's for riders who want better handling through traffic and more comfort in congested cities.

[@skieurdovronnaz241]

I chose to get both on one bike : I have a flat bar, on which I added drops ! As a result, I have the stability and the three positions and the aerodynamics Plus, I’ve never seen in years a bike similar to mine, which is pretty cool !

[@jamesseeker825]

That's the thing which I was looking for !! Thanks team GCN

[@gcn]

No worries James, you're very welcome

[@jamesseeker825]

+Global Cycling Network Cheers

[@brankododig1585]

I actually converted my flat bar to drop bar on account of comfort on multi-hour rides. Flat bars with bar-ends are actually fine comfort wise as long as you're a bit more upright, but if you try for a low and somewhat stretched out position on a flat bar, the hands start hurting after some time. A bit of extra speed doesn't hurt any, either. When it comes to braking, especially downhill, I actually feel more confident and safer on the drop bars when I'm actually in the drops, feels better planted and connected to the bike. Of course braking from the hoods is worse than braking with a flat bar, so it's about 50-50 on the count of braking, I guess. Visibility is down to the bike setup, not flats vs drops themselves - I know, it's controversial - but there are other setups than a -17 degree stem with no spacers underneath.

[@Lalt]

I'm new to cycling and recently discovered this channel. Brilliant and helpful!

[@natebit7167]

Mountain biker watching this and laughing to myself haha

[@LeDank]

Mountain bikers: W I D E flats ONLY

[@Jndjnd380]

I start to understand the different flat bar bike and drop bar bike..I really apreciate your Vidio highlight.thank you👍👍👍👍👍

[@oliverf.68]

Thanks to you I bought the correct sort of bike for my personal needs, flat bar handles in my case as I just the bike for coming and going to work and dribble through traffic.

[@filuo9058]

I feel that the drop bar not only need flexibility but can be limited to the body shape of the perso. I can almost touch my toes, maybe a inch away of actually touching them, but I have somewhat of a beer gut and the drop down bar is just not confortable for me. Also, I feel for me that the braking is not as reflexive with the drop bar compared the flat bar. I have to admit that having mutiple hand positions is a must when you ride for more than a hours or two. You solve this problem with the flat bar adding some - I don't know how to call it in english (i.e. I'm french) - but it's horns I think that give a extra hand position wich helps a lot

[@steveburgoine]

What I’m taking from this video is that GMBN presenters are better at bike handling.

[@gcn]

Well I guess that's true

[@capybun]

Damn...

[@bobbyhempel1513]

Mountain bikers usually are

[@ploperdung]

Well bike handling is much more present in varied offroad so...

[@sugarnads]

Was thinking that too also 'get a mountain bike lolz'

[@REAPER-1xxx]

Both are great. Drops on my early model gravel road bike. My main bike, for when I feel like cycling. It’s basically a road bike that can fit maximum 37mm tires and it has 105 5800 group and 105 7000 RD. Flats on my 29er XC. For off road. Swept for my errand bike. The one that goes in bike racks.

[@unckieherb]

As a beginner this was very helpful; I appreciate it. Thanks guys!

[@vivoslibertos]

Sheldon Brown said it's important to have the right effective top tube length, it's all about reach. Roadbike frame are design for fit with the dropbar reach therefore it's narrow, compare to flatbar specific design that should have longer ETT.

[@howdepressing2495]

You can easily assume the same position you have in a drop bar to a flat bar. Although not as efficient and not exactly the same as a drop bar, it can help with flat bars.

[@Commsfarage]

Not really in my opinion drops give more comfort and more hand and body positioning. on flats you have to bend you're elbows and hunch unlike going on the drops.

[@howdepressing2495]

@@Commsfarage I agree

[@Tamiro4711]

Just to add a few points (which may or not have come up already): Flat bar - use handle bars/extended grip. Way more comfortable and also stretching you out to gain a better speed position. Drop bar: What about the triathlon bar? Also don´t use click pedals for those tests but maybe cage pedals - normal shoes work and you don´t have to focus on attaching your shoes to the pedal. They also offer a lot more handling support as you can lean your feet with the bike. A general point: A believe the advantage in regards to speed is the sitting position (muscle groups activated) then only aerodynamics alone.

[@iattilagy]

Both are very dangerous suggestions. No brakes on handle bars. Cage pedals are simply obsolete, they offer no advantage over clipless.

[@shibe-3453]

i use flat bar, well its hard for aero so i get creative by placing my hand in the middle when i already accelerate

[@questgivercyradis8462]

Forgot one aspect: comfort of the brakes and shifters. When I was bike shopping, the drop bars available weren't manageable for my small hands. If I can't comfortably brake and shift, it is a no-go from the start!

[@Wings_of_foam]

Just chose the right ones mate.

[@NolaChick82]

Obviously drop bars are going to be better if you're trying to get some speed. For me, flat bar is ideal because I'm just a casual rider.

[@karennay5993]

I ride both mtn bike and road. However, when I'm on my road bike its drop bars! Love the aerodynamics.

[@shmvon]

"If you want a bike to ride over beams, then that one is better." Now that's a scientific interpretation of an unscientific test.

[@TarotTarot1]

Thank you💕. After 40 years back into cycling🤷‍♀️

[@Wings_of_foam]

Welcome back.

[@CFG39]

I just started cycling a lot (30-40 miles daily) and started with a “hybrid” flat bar bike, but quickly developed numbness in my hands and sore back. I decided to buy a road bike and went with a Roubaix Sport with drop bars. I’m so much more comfortable, faster, and able to go farther.

[@fabiogulmini4664]

11:28 Feel bad for that derailleur

[@JACKCAPISTRANO]

roadies look weird on a flat bar.. :D

[@sepg5084]

Good thing some cyclists don't care too much about looks :) I built a bike with a lightweight road bike frame, 27-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain, flat bar, and 26-inch road tires that are wider than regular road bike tires but narrower than mtb tires. I ride on busy city streets and sometimes ride on dirt trails.

[@pebbles3458]

@@sepg5084 i guess that’s a gravel bike?

[@user-ko5kk9ud8k]

@@pebbles3458 hybrid

[@nefariousstylo9943]

On my fixed gear with an agressive fork and drop I find the bike changes dramatically depending on the bars. Bullhorns can be twitchy but gives me a good posture for sprinting and ideal for long hills. Drops are fast and very stable but terrible in town. Flats are by far the best for everyday commuting and gives you a lot of control when needed but terrible down the highway. And I find flats make the bike feel like a commuter, and given the particular rig I feel that's dissapointing.

[@randomistmech]

Road Bike Party, anyone? Legendary video that will demonstrate just what can be done on drops, by pro mountain bikers. And Road bike Party 2, that was almost never finished for very sad reasons. Shows just what a top spec "race" bike can stand up to in the right hands.

[@colinwhite70]

Met a guy 4 years ago who at 82 was riding 200 miles every week; have followed him on Strava ever since. Saw him earlier this year with his new Bianci road bike which he still rides every day, hail or shine. A super hero in my book and an inspiration. Never too old with a bit of luck and great determination.

[@brianrobertson4229]

There's no comparison its whatever suites your needs

[@conzartz8845]

i changed my mtb to dropbars and i liked it very much. it's true you'll lose a little bit in handling, but you'll gain speed. not only on flats but also on climbs. i don't regret changing it to dropbars. looks cool too :)

[@kuheylan638]

Bro made his own gravel

[@julianblacksmith8539]

@@kuheylan638 The geometry is still different

[@someguy9520]

the flatbar bike looks sleek. like a very modern hybrid/fast commuter for weaving through cities. I myself converted my entry level roadbike into a flatbar urban bike. 100mm stem and 600mm handlebar integrated, 23mm gp 4000 tires and stiff, reliable mavic aksium wheels. It even looks quite good IMO

[@michaelmccarthy3704]

I'm interested in doing the opposite conversion - flat to drop, do I need to change gear and brake cables as well as other parts?

[@divyaanand9089]

i prefer drop bars...as it provides different hand positions...maybe not as wide as a flat bar but is still better than just one hand position

[@mahendrakapady4482]

Fabulous Explanation. creative, wonderful and much needed. keep it up GCN Team. I really love the work, efforts and contribution you guys are putting in the world of cycling. Thank you Ollie and james

[@wschart]

Having ridden both, I find that I prefer dropped bars. with flat bars, after a while I get numb hands, particularly my left. It seems there is a nerve running across my palm and the flat bar puts pressure on this. With the drop bars, I can change position if this starts to be a problem. While for short distances, this is probably not an issue, for longer distances I would not use anything other than dropped bars. As always, YMMV.

[@Westphaliac]

Maybe you have slightly different length arms? Might explain the higher pressure on the left

[@codwarlock]

How strange this is the exact same issue with me 😂

[@Nikiforos59]

It's strange I am 63 nowadays I don't know if it's anything to do with that but I have the same problem with my left hand

[@marianmariuszb]

Try grandpa's bars with 45 degree backsweep, or look for 25, 30, 33 degree or sth. It changes all riding experience.

[@Snedz496]

I can't say I've had a problem with numbness in my left hand. I have grips on my hybrid that have a flat part at the top to rest your hand and it feels so comfortable

[@americanexpress888]

thank you for the video. Honestly, if you don't care the speed and want to have a safe ride then flat bar would the the choice. drop bar looks cool but that's about it.

[@kato_dsrdr]

Drop bar is for competitive people and for those who want to be as fast as possible. Flat bar are for those who just want to enjoy biking.

[@albertbrown7694]

I have 4 cheap bikes. 2 drop bar and 2 flat bar. When biking to the store, I prefer the flat bars and a backpack. When riding over gravel, also the flat bars. When riding distance, it's the drop bars. It's nearly midnight and you've made me want to go biking.

[@tacobelzardo540]

"A penalty for every egg, I mean hit detection device." lmao! Great video thanks for the help! (in case I ever need a new bike)

[@HeatherSpoonheim]

Just got back into cycling after a few decades off. I went for a flat bar and I'm glad I did. That being said, I think I'll be swapping them out for drop bars next season. I wish that all I had to change was the bar - but controls, possibly derailleurs - not going to be a cheap change.

[@frankr.larkin7249]

Flat bars for getting about town, adding a rack and going grocery shopping - a bike you can lock up in NYC for an hour or two. Drop bar is for exercise in the park or trips outside the city. Two bikes are necessary.

[@jawwadwaseem]

3:00 To all those wondering, the tounge-out is to assess the speed and direction of the wind. It's called the "serpent method". 😅

[@aros007z]

Flat bar way more stable, drop bars meant for straight ahead on the road!

[@rossfuller8025]

Not true at all. Drops are WAY more stable in turns.

[@seraby7151]

@@rossfuller8025 if you watched the vid, you could see the drop bar failed in the agility test. Flat bars are just easier to control. Plus you would never see a drop bar in mtbs lol

[@rossfuller8025]

@@seraby7151 Agility? Dude, road bikes are speed machines. It's not about being agile, it's about being STABLE at speed.

[@rossfuller8025]

@BBD Design I'm not mixing-up anything. I'm talking about steering agility. Which is IRRELEVANT on a road bike. You're almost never going slow enough it for it to matter at all. Road bikes don't see rough, technical terrain. Also, anyone who hasn't crashed obviously doesn't race, yet you're acting like some sort of super cyclist? Piss off!

[@rossfuller8025]

@BBD Design I road mountain too, tough guy. And the fact that you are resorting to imbecilic put-downs tells me you must be pretty triggered yourself, bud.

[@snehanshpati6155]

Now i am 91...and i mostly ride flat bars...

[@da14a49]

91 and riding! What an inspiration - genuinely amazing :)

[@BrianBattles]

I'm 66...me too...on an ebike

[@alteragnostik]

I miss Matt...

[@MarchOfMonarchs]

alteragnostik same :'( ilike the new guys but you gotta miss those who stuck with you for years

[@TheAnonyy]

What happened to him?

[@craighoward8204]

TheAnonyy he was on his final written warning from GCN bosses for failing to clip in. Never been seen since...

[@ministryoftruth8588]

Matt was IMHO the best GCN presenter by far. Maybe I'm biased being I'm his same age and also a cop. His quirky personality and his way at laughing at himself and finding humor in EVERYTHING made him the most likeable GCN presenter. Dan Lloyd is my 2nd favorite, he has the coolest accent and is probably the best cyclist of the bunch, considering he actually successfully completed the TDF. He doesn't look too impressive considering his gangly ectomorph frame, but he is a SERIOUS badass athlete!!! Tough as nails too. He has the scars to prove it.

[@lmc333]

Who is Matt ? I recently joined/watched this channel, and I quite like Ollie !

[@emilegoulet]

also a good reason for drop bars I found is that its much easier to slide in the trafic, because you are a lot slimmer

[@a1naruth]

you can always add horns to a flat bars. I.e. with Ergon grips, which allows to change hand position on a longer ride. The key difference then is - flat bars you have more upright and 'aware' default position with instant access to brakes. That's good for the city cruising. The horns without brakes access are then for steep ascents or fast pace, flat straights. It seems like drop bars are for more 'pro' cyclists who really want the higher top/average speed on straights. However it requires more agility, puts more constraints on the wardrobe choice and higher pricetag on the bike equipment.

[@tomrachellesfirstdance7843]

Nice to see you remembering Matt not clicking in

[@rbfordxp]

Removing environmental effects it would be interesting to see which would be better for indoor training, and which would be better for higher output powers say for sprints.