flat bar road bike.

[drivin_me_nuts]

My hybrid is a lot of fun, but I am looking to buy a road bike. For many reasons (including neck aches etc) I'm after a flat bar road bike rather than one with drops. The budget is about 900ish. The choice is bewildering and tbo I don't even know where to start with brands etc.

Can anyone suggest models or brands to start looking at.

thanks

DMN

[Daveyraveygravey]

Have a look at Bikeradar, they have reviews of all the bikes so you should be able to at least get a start. I don't know much about flat bar bikes, but I would think getting a good fit on one would be very important. For me the beauty of drop handlebars is the variety of positions you can take up...

[itsnotarace]

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/20...

[richardxjr]

2nd (and 3rd) the Rapid.

It's a true road bike (based on the Defy, in itself a damned good bike) albeit with flat bars. A mate and I both have them and ride happily with our dropped bar buddies. Including sportives and the alps this year.

You won't be quite as aero, but your back will thank you. Stubby bar ends (eg Ergon GP2) allow different bar positions.

Does take a set of full mudguards too, the proper Rapid/Defy ones fit and look good.

Edited by richardxjr on Wednesday 30th October 09:12

[Steve Evil]

Daveyraveygravey said:

For me the beauty of drop handlebars is the variety of positions you can take up...

I'd agree with this, I'm still getting used to riding my roadie, but being able to ride it like a flat barred bike, ride on the hoods, or get down onto the drops means that if one part starts to ache then I've got other positions I can change to in order to give it a rest. With a flat bar bike you've only got the one option.

[anonymous-user]

The Boardman hybrid pro will take some beating. It's 999 but there should be 10% off sales during the first week of coming months I've been told. Looks great in the flesh, tasteful colour scheme..
(Better mention it's from Halfords/Halfrauds/their bikes are rubbish/staff clueless.. that takes care of the inevitable posts that would normally follow the mention of Boardman bikes!!)

[Mr Will]

drivin_me_nuts said:

...For many reasons (including neck aches etc) I'm after a flat bar road bike rather than one with drops...

You are likely making a mistake there, drop bars will give you more options and should make you more comfortable than a flat bar. There is a reason that touring bikes use them as well as road bikes.

[BluePurpleRed]

I have an Orbea Carpe H20 and I *love* it.

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/orbea%20carpe%20h20%20...


I might be 'wrong' but I didn't want a drop bar either as I feel like I am more manouverable on my way into Central London for work from Balham ( actually an ok route ) on a flat bar than with drop bars.

[nammynake]

Steve Evil said:

I'm still getting used to riding my roadie

A 'roadie' is someone who rides a road bike. It is not an alternative name for a road bike.

[drivin_me_nuts]

Mr Will said:

drivin_me_nuts said:

...For many reasons (including neck aches etc) I'm after a flat bar road bike rather than one with drops...

You are likely making a mistake there, drop bars will give you more options and should make you more comfortable than a flat bar. There is a reason that touring bikes use them as well as road bikes.

Sorry, beginners question here;

Do road bikes offer the same more upright riding geometry of the flat bar / hybrid bikes?

[Steve Evil]

nammynake said:

Steve Evil said:

I'm still getting used to riding my roadie

A 'roadie' is someone who rides a road bike. It is not an alternative name for a road bike.

I've heard it used for both.

[richardxjr]

drivin_me_nuts said:

Sorry, beginners question here;

Do road bikes offer the same more upright riding geometry of the flat bar / hybrid bikes?

The geo of the Defy and Rapid is virtually the same, except the top tube on the latter is about an inch longer. I've ridden both, the position on the top of the bars is virtually the same on both (except the flat bars are wider), the position on the hoods of the drop bars is virtually the same as on the stubby ends.

Worst bit about riding a flat bar bike? 'Serious' roadies won't acknowledge you.
Best bit? It's quite satisfying overtaking these guys on your hybrid

[TheFungle]

Mr Will said:

You are likely making a mistake there, drop bars will give you more options and should make you more comfortable than a flat bar. There is a reason that touring bikes use them as well as road bikes.

+1

My wife had a Giant Rapid and I had to use it for a few weeks when my own bike was out of action, I found it much more uncomfortable than my drop barred road bike and much harder to vary the position on the bike.

Perhaps worth considering a 'normal' road bike set up with very high bars?

[drivin_me_nuts]

Thanks for the tips. I think that I will go and try both in my LBS and see how I get on.

And there was me thinking how bloody hard could it be just to 'buy a bike'.

I am beginning to understand how some of your dedicated to the pedal and chain have a selection of bikes - but never quite 'enough'.

I am also beginning to appreciate that this could get a smidge expensive...

Thanks

[ewenm]

You need to make sure whatever bike you get fits you correctly. Whether it has flat bars or drops is only one factor in ensuring that fit is right.

[TwistingMyMelon]

TheFungle said:

Mr Will said:

You are likely making a mistake there, drop bars will give you more options and should make you more comfortable than a flat bar. There is a reason that touring bikes use them as well as road bikes.

+1

My wife had a Giant Rapid and I had to use it for a few weeks when my own bike was out of action, I found it much more uncomfortable than my drop barred road bike and much harder to vary the position on the bike.

Perhaps worth considering a 'normal' road bike set up with very high bars?

Normally I'd agree, but if you get a flat bar bike that fits it shouldn't be an issue

I find on both my bikes the gears and brakes operate better on the drops than hoods , but the drops do place emphasis on a good back

Alternately Op you could try a very relaxed geo road bike, with high positioned drops?

[Mr Will]

drivin_me_nuts said:

Mr Will said:

drivin_me_nuts said:

...For many reasons (including neck aches etc) I'm after a flat bar road bike rather than one with drops...

You are likely making a mistake there, drop bars will give you more options and should make you more comfortable than a flat bar. There is a reason that touring bikes use them as well as road bikes.

Sorry, beginners question here;

Do road bikes offer the same more upright riding geometry of the flat bar / hybrid bikes?

Some do, some don't. One of the key things to look for is what is often described as "Sportive" geometry - these are more upright bikes designed to be more comfortable and are made by most of the major manufacturers. For example, at the same price point Specialized makes an Allez race bike and a Secteur sportive bike. The Secteur had a higher front end, extra vibration damping and space for more comfortable tyres.

Set up correctly, a sportive bike should be able to give you three usable positions. The hoods at roughly the same height/reach as a flat bar road bike, the tops more upright (but slightly twitchy and unable to brake, mainly for stretching/climbing) and the drops for downhill or fighting headwinds.

[Daveyraveygravey]

Mr Will said:

Set up correctly, a sportive bike should be able to give you three usable positions. The hoods at roughly the same height/reach as a flat bar road bike, the tops more upright (but slightly twitchy and unable to brake, mainly for stretching/climbing) and the drops for downhill or fighting headwinds.

With my drops I'd say I have three useable positions on the top, perpendicular to the frame section. Nice and tight in to the stem for a pseudo aero position, in the middle, and then just on the curve. You've then got a position before the hoods, a couple on the hoods, on the drops so I can brake, and then on the drops away from the brakes...

[Gumstabber]

Flat bar every time, but that may be because I spend most of my riding time on mountain bikes of one sort or another and like the similarity in feel, position and control. Boardman Team hybrid.

[GaryGlitter]

PlanetX have got this on their latest email:

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXXLSFB/plan...