Only ever had a Mountain Bike...

BAA RAM EWE

...stumped already deciding whether to go with flat bar or drop on new road bike.

Flat has more control (?) for much same/little speed loss so it seems the one to go for really? No?

What should I be looking for with new bike to make sure I get good few years out of it, spec wise.

Shimano Tiagra/105 groupset all round (budget of €900)
Carbon Forks

What else? Any pointers on what to look for/avoid be great.

Thanks from first time newbie with no clue.

Raam

What kind of cycling do you want to do? Long distance on the road? Pootling in and out of work?

BTW, flat bars do not offer more control.

cyclic

Hmm, I'd disagree. A flat bar in traffic is much better. Mostly commuting, short distances <7km to work and pootling around town in traffic- get a decent hybrid with thicker tyres , and racks to carry stuff. Longer commutes to work, weekend spins up the hills- got to be a roadbike with dropped bars. Longer commutes with no interest in longer leisure spins/ or summer sportives/ or any interest in the sport of cycling- flat bar cruiser style/ road bike.

Like everyone tells you here- think about the type of cycling you will realistically be doing.

Or buy a few different types of bikes. Serious, show off racing bling bling, slightly heavier less flash road bike you're old one one, Cross bike/ touring bike (adventure cycling/shopping), Mountain bike (trails and adrenaline), cargo bike (kids and fun). Aw sweet god......

hardCopy

Raam wrote: »

BTW, flat bars do not offer more control.

Or the same speed.

Hatcho

If you want to do more than the short commute on your bike then go for dropped bars. If you buy flat barred now and then get the itch for more miles, you'll only end up moving to dropped bars anyway. There's no lack of control with dropped bars (just a little less leverage) and one big advantage they have is the option to move to three different hand positions as you cycle. In terms of comfort this is a biggie as flat barred offers you only one hand position and when you get a bit uncomfortable there's nothing to switch to.

Your a fair bit more aerodynamic with dropped bars - tucking in when there's a bit of a headwind can really make life a bit easier when things are going tough. I find climbing is also easier with a narrow hand grip - but that a personal thing so others might not agree.

I'm still on my first road bike and it's an alloy frame with carbon forks and Tiagra all round. Only thing I've changed so far is the stem - I picked up a 2nd hand one to make the reach to the bars a little shorter. A new set of wheels are in the post - but that's more to satisfy my need for bling! If you have 900 quid to spend and can also avail of the bike to work scheme you'll be able to get a fine road bike.

beauf

You can add end bars to a flat bar and give you more positions.

Its not as aerodynamic though.