Getting down into the drops pulls the body into a nice low profile position for slicing through the air and going faster for the same power output. Riding on the hoods with the forearms as flat as possible and the elbows bent at close to right angles is also a great aero position that reduces the area of the rider trying to cut a hole through the air.
Drop bars also tend to be narrower than flat bars and this also significantly reduces the frontal area of the rider and ekes out even more aerodynamic advantages. The narrower width also makes it easier to dodge and dip between cars that are snarled in a traffic jam. The extra width of flat bars provides better handling but there is an aerodynamic compromise.
To a large extent, the type of handlebar affects the handling and feel of the bike. Wide handlebars give you more leverage and ultimately more control. Although great for improving aerodynamics, the narrow width of drop bars can make it difficult to achieve tight, precise turns. For most road cyclists blasting along smooth tarmac roads, this will not present any issues but for anything more technical you will feel this distinct lack of handling.
Being significantly wider, and therefore the ends being further away from the axis of rotation lends flat bars more control over drop bars. This is particularly noticeable at lower speeds. You need to be able to reach the brakes instantly when you need them. That should be obvious to every rider but it bears repeating but if you are not used to riding drop bars then you may be searching in vain for a brake lever that is not there.
If you have never ridden drop bars before, it can take a while to get used to the odd-looking position of the brake levers and STI shifters. It might even take you a while to figure out how to change gears at all. When you do get used to riding drop bars, the position makes perfect sense, and braking and shifting gears become second nature.
For commuting in areas with busy, unpredictable roads the brake position on drop bars can cost riders a small amount of reaction time. This could be the difference between crashing and nearly crashing. When riding in these conditions it is important to always have a couple of fingers looped over the brake lever and expect the unexpected. The brake position on flat bars is much more intuitive and obvious. It is right where they have always been on every bike riders have had since they were kids.
For riding through town and mixing with traffic and pedestrians, having the brakes nearby at all times inspires much more confidence on the bike. Speed The first thing to consider is speed. What they found out is that in terms of speed, the drop bar wins. As for the flat bar, the seating position is more upright, creating more wind resistance. Handling When it comes to handling, the flat handlebar wins. Practicality The last point is practicality and this is tied to the handling factor.
Drop bars are designed to offer you at least three different hand positions when riding your bike. You can ride on the bars, on the hoods, or in the drops.
When riding on the hoods and in the drops your arms and hands are in their most natural position. The fact that you can change among them can offer relief to your hands on longer rides. Aerodynamic drag becomes a significant factor when you ride at Riding on the hoods or in the drops means that your body will catch less wind and you can ride at the same speed with less effort or that the same effort will result in going faster.
It is a great advantage for commuters who have long straight stretches on their commute where they can save energy and valuable time. This can be quite significant when passing through tighter spaces, such as cars in a traffic jam. Just when you need that inch or two between the rearview mirrors of two cars, you will be thankful. You can fairly easily shift your body weight to the front which makes climbing hills easier. The brake hoods function as a firm grip that allow to shift your body weight even more to the front and you can also get leverage from them to push through the pedals with even more power.
In a forward leaning position you have additional leverage for pedalling. Even though this is a question of personal preference only, a bike with drop handlebars just looks good.
It is like going to work in a sports car. You can further customize the unique looks of your drop bar with a range of custom handlebar tapes. In city traffic your ride is constantly interrupted by traffic lights, pedestrians crossing, getting up and down curbs, crossing tram or train tracks, cobble stones, potholes etc. In these scenarios you always need to reach for the brakes. What to do about it: I have seen bikes with brake levers on the flat part of the bar, which is a possible solution, but not a very practical one if you have a road bike and you use it for weekend rides.
Also, modifying a high end road bike is a little bit of a butchery. Most bikes with drop bars have the cabling covered by the bar tape. Because of the narrow width and the more stretched out position, some extra weight falls on your hands, and it is trickier to maneuver bikes with drop bars when going slow.
It is ok to slow down and stop occasionally, but it becomes quite uncomfortable if there is a lot of maneuvering involved in your commute.
A narrower bar also means less room to mount accessories, such as bike computer , lights, bell, phone mount etc. What to do about it: If you run out of space on your handlebar you can buy a dedicated computer bike mount, which only takes up a single space, but allows you to mount your front light on it also.
Riser bars and cruiser handlebars are much more suitable. When riding a bike with a drop bar you are sitting most upright when riding on the bars.
I had been intending to drop the gearing slightly as I ride up a steep hill every day, but I no longer feel the need. Are there downsides? And here we have The Moral of the Story…. As a bike reviewer, I have to fight against this constantly. Matthew Loveridge formerly Allen is an experienced mechanic and an expert on bike tech who appreciates practical, beautifully-engineered things.
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