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

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Күн бұрын

As a beginner, it can be difficult to know which is the best bike for you. Should you choose drop or flat handlebars? James and Ollie are on hand to help you find the right bike for you.
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Buying a bike can be confusing when you are unsure of what you need. We put two bikes to the test, a flat bar and a drop bar. After taking a look at the visual differences, we put the bikes to the test. Firstly, we found out which is faster over a 2km section of road and secondly, we tested their agility and stability on two very sophisticated courses.
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Пікірлер: 2 900

@gcn 5 жыл бұрын

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

@sourpatxh253 5 жыл бұрын

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

@JMise 5 жыл бұрын

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 5 жыл бұрын

What if you slam the drop bar bike?

@arifazhari7598 5 жыл бұрын

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 5 жыл бұрын

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 4 жыл бұрын

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 4 жыл бұрын

N+1 is always the solution

@pigletofgreed7747 4 жыл бұрын

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

@AndyWJP 4 жыл бұрын

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 4 жыл бұрын

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 4 жыл бұрын

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

@pickle24 5 жыл бұрын

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 5 жыл бұрын

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 5 жыл бұрын

Yeah me too its easier that that drop

@damien2627 5 жыл бұрын

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

@Delfintus 5 жыл бұрын

@@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 5 жыл бұрын

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

@kenshoalexander3491 3 жыл бұрын

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

@riverwater2922 3 жыл бұрын

i have no idea what is the difference

@tesario6039 3 жыл бұрын

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

@erenlim1929 3 жыл бұрын

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

3 жыл бұрын

Drop Bar: I'll make your back really sore

@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess 3 жыл бұрын

Cruiser handlebars: 😎🍹☀️

@benl6121 4 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

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

@alberttsang4019 3 жыл бұрын

@@James-xr7pb road thugs? Scary

@James-xr7pb 3 жыл бұрын

@@alberttsang4019 Bad Drivers.

@dukekaboom4105 3 жыл бұрын

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

@benl6121 3 жыл бұрын

@@dukekaboom4105 This is seriously good advice. Thanks!

@1989srjones 5 жыл бұрын

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

@gcn 5 жыл бұрын

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

@1989srjones 5 жыл бұрын

Slightly but I still battled through to the end :)

@clarencetaylor7455 5 жыл бұрын

Different Yokes for different folks

@GordonMoat 5 жыл бұрын

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

@EXROXX 5 жыл бұрын

Or maybe the eggsperiment

@barrybarnard836 5 жыл бұрын

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 5 жыл бұрын

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

@soissesglaubsmir292 5 жыл бұрын

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

@mahogma66 4 жыл бұрын

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 4 жыл бұрын

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

@Alvaro-em1dj 4 жыл бұрын

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

@AHR_James 4 жыл бұрын

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

@whatskrakalaken1940 Жыл бұрын

Great point.

@leikeze6642 Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

@@leikeze6642 Dutch bikes are also good with these.

@Narcostic Жыл бұрын

@@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 Жыл бұрын

@@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

@Max-it1wm Жыл бұрын

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 7 ай бұрын

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

@imjonathan6745 5 ай бұрын

@@theshadowking3198 theyre called gravel bikes if iirc?

@Alex-kr7zr 3 ай бұрын

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

@manfromnantucket9544 4 жыл бұрын

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 4 жыл бұрын

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

@fauzanbri 4 жыл бұрын

@@arpansolomon7572 a joke?

@Hazeder422 4 жыл бұрын

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

@rollinrat4850 4 жыл бұрын

Ive been riding road, touring and 'cross bikes on dirt roads, singletrack and hiking trails since the '70s, well before MTBs were well known. I use drop bars on MTBs as well. I like moving my hands frequently on long rides. Only for the roughest rockiest rides do I use flat bars. Its not the bike, it's the rider's skill and fitness that make the most difference! We are the motor and operator! Good fit and comfort is certainly very important!

@poneill65 4 жыл бұрын

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 KZfaq channel for their resume. I guess there aren't currently any intern spots at the BBC rich-kid after-school program.

@beetoven8193 5 жыл бұрын

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 5 жыл бұрын

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 5 жыл бұрын

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

@rollinrat4850 5 жыл бұрын

Beet Oven Im 57 and still ride a lot . I suffer from old neck and back injuries. There are lots of high stem options and alternative handlebar styles available. I like drop bars for the numerous hand positions they provide. My favorite bars are Nitto Dirt Drops or Nitto Noodles. Wide sizes up to 52cm are available! Check out Nitto and Velo Orange and lots more!

@brucewmclaughlin9072 5 жыл бұрын

@@rollinrat4850 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.

@rollinrat4850 5 жыл бұрын

Bruce W McLaughlin Im Glad you found something that allows you to ride more. I wrench in a shop for fun these days. Many people arent willing to spend the time, money or effort to get truly comfortable on the ‘right’ bike. They lose interest and quit or get injured and move on to something else. Comfort is of major importance to me. A very short ride for me is 3 hours. I still ride old school bikes and adapt them to fit my style and body. I keep experimenting until I find what works for me. I dont care what it looks like or what anyone thinks or what the latest trend is. I dont buy in to all this fancy new ‘stuff’. I dont need it to have fun. I follow the KISS theory. I stick with tried and true quality. Stuff thats been proven over years and years to work. I avoid roads as much as I can and just use them to get to the dirt or wherever I need to go.

@vladimirputin3426 3 жыл бұрын

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

@kyle9362 3 жыл бұрын

HAHAHHAHHAH

@kyle9362 3 жыл бұрын

2:46

@darkproject3368 3 жыл бұрын

OMG LOLLL

@healerdreamer7545 3 жыл бұрын

Modousoji

@jai4648 3 жыл бұрын

@@healerdreamer7545 HAHAHAH YOWAMUCHI PEDAL REFERENCE

@wschart 3 жыл бұрын

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 2 жыл бұрын

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

@codwarlock Жыл бұрын

How strange this is the exact same issue with me 😂

@NicosHalvatzis Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

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

@Snedz496 Жыл бұрын

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

@GordonMoat 5 жыл бұрын

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 5 жыл бұрын

Nice choice Gordon

@antred11 4 жыл бұрын

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

@rollinrat4850 4 жыл бұрын

dolofonos I ride in the hooks mostly. The brakes are operated most efficiently from there and there is best steering leverage and control in the hooks, especially off road. In rough terrain such as rocks, Ive had my hands jarred off the hoods. You get a much firmer grip with hands wrapped all the way around the bars. The 'dirt drop' h bars I use are designed to primarily be ridden in the hooks. I'm not sure what you're talking about concerning the hoods. Many pro riders I see are hammering in the hooks. Why would the hooks be there otherwise? Why even have them otherwise? Added weight? IMO, The hoods are a good place to climb or relax or stretch when you're not hammering. But everybody's different and that's my point. The #1 fit rule for me is to get comfortable so I can spend maximum time on the bike. I don't care what it looks like. I don't look at my bike while riding it! 4 hrs is a very short ride for me! Other than that, there are no fit rules. No fashion rules either! That's just stupid! I used to race bikes in the '80s with ultra long slammed stems. In the hooks usually. Sit up and you'd be in the back of the pack! Good for aerodynamics, not so good for aging, neck and back injuries. Not so good for seeing over the tops of cars! I cant even ride a modern road bike anymore for more than a couple hours without bad neck cramps. But I can almost keep up to fit riders 1/2 my age on my 'cross and touring bikes! Riders would be much happier, more comfortable and efficient if they got on more practical bikes, more suited to their needs and stop trying to emulate pro roadies or some 'image'. Comfort and 'proper' fit are most important!! Its a very personal thing, just like saddles.

@edgarcook9607 4 жыл бұрын

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

@GordonMoat 4 жыл бұрын

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

@trapbois4573 3 жыл бұрын

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 10 ай бұрын

Is there any difference between commuter and touring bikes?

@lazylonewolf 9 ай бұрын

@@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.

@michaellynn9763 3 жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

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

@Lee-One 11 ай бұрын

Nice, thanks for sharing

@billzielke6798 3 жыл бұрын

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

@slimelord314 5 жыл бұрын

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 5 жыл бұрын

one for advanced riders!

@slimelord314 5 жыл бұрын

Global Cycling Network aw shucks 😊

@TheShotenZenjin 5 жыл бұрын

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 5 жыл бұрын

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 5 жыл бұрын

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.

@neft16 4 жыл бұрын

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 2 жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

The only thing the drop bar won on was speed

@robertwrites925 2 жыл бұрын

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.

@ItsNotSilence 2 жыл бұрын

Drop bars: Speed Focused Flat bars: Agility Focused

@vika0194 2 жыл бұрын

Don’t forget flat bars offer more comfort too

@achtervolger6649 5 жыл бұрын

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

@robinseibel7540 5 жыл бұрын

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 5 жыл бұрын

Dang, need more lasers next time. Noted.

@georgegray2712 5 жыл бұрын

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

@cbfedge5593 5 жыл бұрын

@@georgegray2712 is that so much to ask?!

@splashpit 5 жыл бұрын

Had lasers but faked the test .

@anton3752 4 жыл бұрын

But... but. They had lasers

@NaeMuckle 4 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

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

@anant6778 3 жыл бұрын

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

@T3HR3PP4 3 жыл бұрын

@@anant6778 Amen, brother.

@sepg5084 3 жыл бұрын

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

@NaeMuckle 3 жыл бұрын

@@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.

@javiermierda2286 3 жыл бұрын

Speed vs Agility, Stability and comfortability

@charleshead8393 5 жыл бұрын

The spirit of Matt "clip-in" Stephens lives on!

@darkproject3368 3 жыл бұрын

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

@rachelletourneau8864 3 жыл бұрын

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

@sid28 Жыл бұрын

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.

@Flying_Spaghetti_Monster 4 жыл бұрын

2:25 interesting angle!

@dipeshkunwar536 3 жыл бұрын

Indeed 😔

@god1284 3 жыл бұрын

lmao

@Dr4g0nW00d 5 жыл бұрын

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

@gcn 5 жыл бұрын

🤘

@Pionirish 5 жыл бұрын

Aka 80s TT bike position

@jeffreywilliams3646 5 жыл бұрын

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 5 жыл бұрын

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

@air_preep 5 жыл бұрын

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

@123moof 3 жыл бұрын

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.

@robertsharples9822 2 жыл бұрын

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 8 ай бұрын

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

@nicoleilechie3789 6 ай бұрын

@@andrewdyke5561what are safety breaks ?

@yeetzyy4873 4 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

Yes to this.

@DanielaAndBenny4ever 2 жыл бұрын

Yeeesss! Video record it and you'll hearit clearly

@assassin7250 2 жыл бұрын

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

@DanielaAndBenny4ever 2 жыл бұрын

@@assassin7250 if it feels heavy its then heavy

@assassin7250 2 жыл бұрын

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

@BikeTall 4 жыл бұрын

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.

@wdude33 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

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

@tonybruce 2 жыл бұрын

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

@ricksterling7944 3 жыл бұрын

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

@VijayKumar_Boss 4 жыл бұрын

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

@aarontolentino8287 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah I agree

@pjny21 3 жыл бұрын

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

@ashutosh3252 3 жыл бұрын

Indian traffic demand flat bars

@kratkidokumentarci224 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

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.

@RandomOMV5869 4 жыл бұрын

Would have been nice to see a uphill comparison and what happens if you add bar ends to the flat bar to allow a bit more aero position.

@bighes100 Жыл бұрын

Good point... Bar ends make a big difference when you need extra power for hills etc

@miket4234 8 ай бұрын

ive always wondered that

@Mannerzs 5 күн бұрын

Many thanks GCN. You guys really do have all bases covered. Immensly useful advice, as always.

@Lalt 3 жыл бұрын

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

@Aman1nFull 4 жыл бұрын

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!

@TapCat 5 жыл бұрын

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

@DinnerForkTongue 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

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

@Nathan-tg4gu 4 жыл бұрын

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 2 жыл бұрын

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 2 жыл бұрын

@@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.

@lafamillecarrington 5 жыл бұрын

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 5 жыл бұрын

You can have a flat bar aero combination?

@ryan_alexander 5 жыл бұрын

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

@Kyle6sFvckKyle Жыл бұрын

Just got my first drop bar bike and I’m so stoked on it, have been riding flat for 5 to 6 years and I always found myself adjusting to get lower or for aero. I like the choice with the drop because I can always put my hands on the hood if I need to

@aye3678 4 жыл бұрын

Really appreciate you guys taking the time to do this. Very helpful!

@mahendrakapady4482 4 жыл бұрын

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

@danielho5635 3 жыл бұрын

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 2 жыл бұрын

The contador way. I like

@robertvirnig638 2 жыл бұрын

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 2 жыл бұрын

Unless you not on even road

@sirrey0 2 жыл бұрын

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

@scatters47 Жыл бұрын

@@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

@GorgeGeorg 3 жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

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

@grahamriley8124 6 ай бұрын

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

@johnnewton1540 4 жыл бұрын

Once again guys, nice comparison and appreciate the info. Not too technical, but helpful. I have loved all your vids, so far. Keep it up and thanks.

@user46346bdtgry 5 жыл бұрын

The teenagers who gathered around & started laughing at them in the last test was hilarious

@gcn 5 жыл бұрын

We thought they were cheering us on!

@barvdw 4 жыл бұрын

Should have given them a try, see how long they'd be laughing then ;)

@clexa-the1002 4 жыл бұрын

@@barvdw They were actually cheering them on I think

@barvdw 4 жыл бұрын

@@clexa-the1002 kids are ruthless punks. I somehow doubt they were cheering.

@clexa-the1002 4 жыл бұрын

@@barvdw I mean if you watch the video you can hear them cheering after he successfully clears the log... but ok go off

@brawndo8726 4 жыл бұрын

I have flats and would never trade them for drops. But I also ride hands-free whenever possible to give you an idea of my leisurely approach to commuting.

@TesterAnimal1 Жыл бұрын

… and personal safety.

@Soyquiensoy888 3 жыл бұрын

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

@gcn 3 жыл бұрын

Glad our video helped!

@Narcostic Жыл бұрын

Impressive charming photo!

@unckieherb 3 жыл бұрын

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

@vivoslibertos 5 жыл бұрын

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.

@jamesseeker825 5 жыл бұрын

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

@gcn 5 жыл бұрын

No worries James, you're very welcome

@jamesseeker825 5 жыл бұрын

+Global Cycling Network Cheers

@mr.markl.5679 2 жыл бұрын

Great, fun, educational and very helpful video! This has helped me a lot in my decision. Great work Fellas!!

@faviosolimo4419 Ай бұрын

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!

@shannonayres9566 5 жыл бұрын

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

@gcn 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Shannon

@earl1394 2 жыл бұрын

Now he's a permanent fixture!

@bikebudha01 4 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

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

@bikebudha01 3 жыл бұрын

@@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 3 жыл бұрын

Exactly, very Well stated 👏

@HkFinn83 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

@@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.

@pcgaming7379 Жыл бұрын

Your videos are not only informative they are fun to watch. I thank you for making these wonderful videos.

@Wings_of_foam 21 күн бұрын

Thank you very much, for this test.

@brankododig1585 5 жыл бұрын

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.

@Jndjnd380 2 жыл бұрын

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

@Flute_Chandan 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome presentation guys👍👍 Very informative.. Thank you.

@ianangelo1282 3 жыл бұрын

Me as a beginner this video is very helpful! Thank you for sharing to us!

@skieurdovronnaz241 Жыл бұрын

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 !

@phabletfortyfour3457 5 жыл бұрын

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 5 жыл бұрын

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 5 жыл бұрын

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

@bigring6424 5 жыл бұрын

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

@innocentiuslacrim2290 4 жыл бұрын

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).

@MrChippinator 3 жыл бұрын

I’m going to pick up my first drop bar. Used to ride mountain bikes, getting into road, great informative video.

@TheSPACEDIEVEST1 2 жыл бұрын

I enjoyed your video. You guys are fun to watch and I also learn so thank you.

@preston77021 5 жыл бұрын

The hit detection technology is amazing

@XxLechovarrzLOLxX 4 жыл бұрын

I'm pretty jealous seeing your road environment like that, almost no traffic at all. Unlike me, who lives in Jakarta, a big city with horrendous traffic (like in Los Angeles)

@Mr95gios 3 жыл бұрын

Wkwkwkwk

@attalasabian5541 3 жыл бұрын

I aslo live in jakarta and ur right about the traffic

@punit8143 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing, It helped a lot to choose bike.

@juliodefreitas157 10 ай бұрын

Awesome video and thank you for sharing ❤❤

@vivinski 3 жыл бұрын

Handlebar extensions on a flat bar allow you to get a lower and longer position over the main bar rather than under it, and give you grip changes to rest your arm muscles. Which may be better for those with neck and back issues

@natebit7167 3 жыл бұрын

Mountain biker watching this and laughing to myself haha

@LeDank 3 жыл бұрын

Mountain bikers: W I D E flats ONLY

@nick_merchant Жыл бұрын

Incredibly helpful. Thanks

@andreie 2 жыл бұрын

Brilliant video, very informative and especially entertaining! Loved the humour :)

@tomrachellesfirstdance7843 5 жыл бұрын

Nice to see you remembering Matt not clicking in

@julen2380 5 жыл бұрын

That was hilariousy brilliant! I vote the wooden beams of death for this week's extreme cornering!

@ankuraggarwal20feb 3 жыл бұрын

Good experiment.. thanks for this video. I learnt few things. Pls keep making such videos.

@filuo9058 5 жыл бұрын

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

@ertugrul9891 4 жыл бұрын

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

@mohamadissa1930 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you a lot for the video , guys I can see how long it took for you to make such a video , and I appreciate all what you did to make things clear and useful for us 🙂 I am thinking about buy bike and now I can choose .

@ssecnirphalle 2 жыл бұрын

this is very helpful! thanks!

@nefariousstylo9943 5 жыл бұрын

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.

@justinlui 5 жыл бұрын

This was very informative for a novice like me, much appreciated!

@gcn 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome stuff Justin, glad you enjoyed this one. Let us know if there is anything else you would like us to do a video on in the future

@advocatemkjayant 2 жыл бұрын

Great Video guys. Finally i can decide which bike is suitable for me. Thanks

@ziadfawzi 2 жыл бұрын

Nice tests. Thank you.

@1978Trevino 4 жыл бұрын

I'm not into bike racing or whatever but I've had both kind of bikes. But years ago I got ahold of a 21 speed bike w/ drop bars and was speeding around town like a bat outta hell.🦇🦇🦇

@kakarot2430 5 жыл бұрын

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

@evoson5229 3 жыл бұрын

What a great video, thank you very much!

@angelapasturan 3 жыл бұрын

very informative! Thank you!

@barotia 5 жыл бұрын

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 4 жыл бұрын

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