Long commute - drops or straight bar?

fenris · 05-01-2009 02:17PM #1

Has anybody got an opinion on drops V a straight bar for a long commute (Bray to Stephens Green)? I am trying to decide between a Giant FSR or
an SCR There are 2008 models of each on

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/12287/Giant_FCR_2_Mens_Bike_2008

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/13198/Giant_SCR_1_Bike_2008

for quite nice prices and I don't mind last years model! I am going to start by driving as far as a friends house and cycling the rest of the way to get my distance up but intend doing the full distance within a few months. I am not hung up on those particular makes/models I also looked at a Trek 1.2 today so I am open to recommendations that will allow a rack/pannier to be fitted. The only reason that I was thinking Giant is that my MTB is a giant and I like it, but I don't know enough about road bikes to stray too far without good advice!

I had thought that an FCR was the way to go but after searching the forum I saw some comments about the drops being more efficient.

I have even had thoughts about making a deal with the devil!

http://www.moderntimesltd.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=19&P_ID=98&numlanguageid=2

and getting a kit to fit a non Trek!

kenmc · 05-01-2009 02:22PM

Drops, personally.
More hand positions for comfort, and can be more aerodynamic when fighting a headwind.

Gavin · 05-01-2009 02:23PM

May as well go with the drops, gives you more options than the straight bars.

Morgan · 05-01-2009 02:23PM

Personally, I'd say to go for drops. More hand positions and you can get out of the wind more easily.

fenris wrote: »

I have even had thoughts about making a deal with the devil!

http://www.moderntimesltd.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=19&P_ID=98&numlanguageid=2

and getting a kit to fit a non Trek!

Are you over 65?

irishmotorist · 05-01-2009 02:43PM

I commute 25km each way (when ice doesn't put me on the floor!) on a hybrid (straight bars). I find it just fine for the job. For longer weekend cycles, I wish I had something with drops though. If you're planning on doing more than the commuting, then I'd say to go for the drops. If it's purely commute, then I'd say either. If you had an opportunity to try both, you might see which was more comfortable. Your local bike shop might help with this.

fenris · 05-01-2009 02:45PM

lol - Not quite 65 yet - getting back to cycling after a busted pelvis so I need to spin rather than grind. I want a bike that will primarily be a commuter to build my fitness for falling off of mountain bikes, with an aspirational target of the Wicklow 100 later this year. Being married with sprogs that means that I only get one bite at the cherry in terms of buying a bike that will fulfill both needs.

I am budgeting 500ish for the bike without panniers but need to know if the bike will accept panniers mudgards etc. I am happy to go with clearance models from last year to get a good bike.

In the land of drops there are names that I don't know that much about like Felt, Cube, BeOne etc.

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/15628/Felt_Z90_Bike_2008
also looks like a runner based on another thread.

Raam · 05-01-2009 02:50PM

Defo drops all the way. As mentioned in another thread, they make climbing much much easier. Trying to stand and climb on flat bars is not as easy as grabbing the hoods on drops. If you plan on doing the Wicklow 100, then you will be climbing

Macha · 05-01-2009 03:06PM

Just one point I'd make about the straight bars is they've saved me a few times during altercations with motorists. They hit the car first (and make some lovely scratches in the paintwork) and take most of the blow because they stick out more.

Gavin · 05-01-2009 03:27PM

Raam wrote: »

Defo drops all the way. As mentioned in another thread, they make climbing much much easier. Trying to stand and climb on flat bars is not as easy as grabbing the hoods on drops. If you plan on doing the Wicklow 100, then you will be climbing

I'd go with drops, but I'm dubious of this. Wide straight handlebars give you a lot more leverage for pulling on when going up a hill

Sleight of hand · 05-01-2009 03:29PM

I have a long commute from Swords to Baggot street and my 'Giant FCR 1' is the business for this. The second half of the commute is messy with a lot of traffic etc and FCR handling is excellent for this part.

Raam · 05-01-2009 03:30PM

Verb wrote: »

I'd go with drops, but I'm dubious of this. Wide straight handlebars give you a lot more leverage for pulling on when going up a hill

Maybe up a dirt track, but not when standing on a smooth road. I don't see the pro guys using wide flat bars on uphill time trials

TinyExplosions · 05-01-2009 03:51PM

taconnol wrote: »

Just one point I'd make about the straight bars is they've saved me a few times during altercations with motorists. They hit the car first (and make some lovely scratches in the paintwork) and take most of the blow because they stick out more.

That's pretty much my main rationale with the bullhorns on my commuter bike -I like the protection (mostly mental) it gives my hands

flickerx · 05-01-2009 04:02PM

I chopped the flat bar on (one of) my self-build fixie(s) so I could squeeze in between cars easier.

Drops get the vote from me too though.

rp · 05-01-2009 05:06PM

Drops or straight? Neither, Mungo's yer only man for a long commute:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=21644

Itsfixed · 05-01-2009 05:25PM

rp wrote: »

Drops or straight? Neither, Mungo's yer only man for a long commute:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=21644

No, go for On one midges

I think this is a perfect compromise - all the width and leverage of a flat bar with a shallow, not to deep drop. The wrist positions are more comfortable too. I have both bars so I know.

fenris · 05-01-2009 10:43PM

Right drops it is!

I am thinking about the Giant Defy 3 bought locally and kitted out from the shop with:
Rear rack
Panier for laptop
Front mudguard
Those extra little brake levers for up top
Cycle comp with cadence
combo SPD / Flat pedal to fit my MTB shoes

There seems to be a shortage of bikes in my price range with triple rings and lugs for panniers!

I am very tempted by the BeOne Storm 1 and just using my camelback backpack for the ocasional laptop, towel, shirt replenishment trip.

Do you think paniers are overkill?

rp · 06-01-2009 10:00AM

Itsfixed wrote: »

midges ... is a perfect compromise - all the width and leverage of a flat bar with a shallow, not to deep drop. The wrist positions are more comfortable too. I have both bars so I know.

Can you rest your hand at the top of the 'm' on the midges? For me, that position on the mungos is the most comfortable I've ever been on a bike, and the outers are great for hauling up hills. I'd like to try the midges though, maybe next re-build...

How did you sort the brakes on them? I went for cane creek bar-end (reversed) levers, pulling shimano 105 calipers. This works great, falls easily to hand and good modulation.

fenris · 06-01-2009 11:04AM

Thanks for the advice - Giant Defy 2.5 ordered from the Bike Rack!

SerialComplaint · 06-01-2009 11:39AM

I'd go with straight bars for the benefit of having your hands right on the brakes at all times, given the amount of heavy traffic on your commute route.

kenmc · 06-01-2009 11:42AM

Same can be said for being on the hoods of dropped bars, which is where I usually am on my commute

Gavin · 06-01-2009 11:57AM

fenris wrote: »

Those extra little brake levers for up top

As above too.

fenris · 06-01-2009 11:59AM

I am getting a set of cyclo cross levers fitted so that I can get at the brakes when on the tops in traffic.

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=95&idproduct=12713

Raam · 06-01-2009 12:01PM

fenris wrote: »

I am getting a set of cyclo cross levers fitted so that I can get at the brakes when on the tops in traffic.

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=95&idproduct=12713

You can get on the brakes from the tops without those. You really don't need them. In fact, they get in the way. I bought the old man a bike with them and they are annoying as hell. Fit them later if you need them, but at least give the bike a go without them first. You will be surprised how accessible the brakes are already.

kenmc · 06-01-2009 12:04PM

Yeah I find that my 'normal' position is on the hoods. Climbing I often use the tops, very occasionally I use them on the flat, but not often - usually if I want to just move position for a few seconds.

Lumen · 06-01-2009 12:18PM

Brakes on cyclocross bikes are inevitably crap compared to their road bike equivalents.

I suspect half the reason for auxiliary brake levers on cyclocross bikes is along the lines of "if one pair of levers doesn't stop you, add another pair".

Or at least, you'll be in a more vertical position when you have to jump off when you can't stop.

Itsfixed · 06-01-2009 02:26PM

rp wrote: »

Can you rest your hand at the top of the 'm' on the midges? For me, that position on the mungos is the most comfortable I've ever been on a bike, and the outers are great for hauling up hills. I'd like to try the midges though, maybe next re-build...

How did you sort the brakes on them? I went for cane creek bar-end (reversed) levers, pulling shimano 105 calipers. This works great, falls easily to hand and good modulation.

Yes, this is one of the plusses of the midges over the mungos, I think, you can rest your hand on the tops much more easily because of the long straight bit, whereas the mungos your wrists are somewhat contorted. That said, I use my mungos on my old pomp which has been relegated to short trips to collecting shopping and my little girl from the creche, so they're great for short-hop hauling. Recently got some diacompe reverse action levers for them, which look cool.

Use the midges on my geared road bike.

Long commute - drops or straight bar?

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