Friday, August 14, 2009

Flat or curvy?

I'm talking about handlebars.......................

I'm (highly) considering getting a new (road) bike to do triathlons. I know CRAP about bikes. Yes, I know I work at REI. Yes, I know they sell bikes. I work in clothing!!

I test rode a couple of bikes today at work. One person highly recommended I try one and it had straight (flat) handlebars. Another person highly recommended I try one that had curved handlebars. They each had a reason for recommending the different one. I explained that I'm not a "racer", I'm really just a "finisher".

For those of you that ride, which do you prefer, and why?

Thanks for your help.


Until later.............

12 comments:

Judi said...

mntn bike or road bike?

Unknown said...

My husband bought his road bike from REI and he likes it a lot. You should be able to get something quite suitable there!!

I have two road bikes (curved handles) and one mountain bike (straight handles). Even if you aren't a 'racer' I think you will be happier on a road bike than on a mountain bike or hybrid if you are going to do triathlons. It will make the bike segment easier for you.

Missy said...

Road bike with 'curvy' handlebars! Even if you're a self proclaimed finisher, you will be much happier with the aero positioning and ability to get low should it be windy. Woohoo! Straight bars make you sit UP so high that you turn into a bit of a wind sail.

Relentless Forward Commotion said...

I know equaly as much as you do, but I thought all road bikes had curvy handles?

Irene said...

I'm in the same "knowing crap about bikes" category. I guess you'll have to try ALL the bikes at REI. LOL.

Drs. Cynthia and David said...

I don't have an opinion on the bars, but I just think it is so cool that you are doing so much neat stuff! Go get 'em and have fun doing it!

Cynthia

Looney said...

I got a mountain bike, but then put on slick tires and managed to do 160 miles on it one day. The last bike I got was a Novara/Divano at REI. I liked the sensitive handling, while the Canondale felt like something for tourists.

The aero position will help if you are competitive, but I am too old for that so I give more consideration to the back.

Aka Alice said...

OK...I have the hybrid bike with the straight handlebars and a road bike (with curvy handlebars). So here's my opinion after having ridden the road bike (with the curvy handlebars) a whole three times!

The bike with the straight handlebars simply weighs more. It's more of an effort to ride it distances. The road bike is just lighter and I go faster with less effort...so even if you're just a "finisher," I say, go for the road bike if you're going to use it in races.

Stuart said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Stuart said...

Go for the road bike (curvy) lighter faster and it'll be what you end up racing in, it's a false economy to buy a MTB/hybrid you'll out grow it too soon.

Mark Tanaka (Ultrailnakaman) said...

My mountain bike actually has multi-angled handlebars. This is nice, in that I can change the angle of pronation/supination and degree of flexion of my arms. I commute (when not running) mostly with one my wife's comfort bikes, but the straight handlebar gets...uncomfortable after a while. You can always hold a curbed handlebar on the straight part.

I will refrain from references to the Kama Sutra, but in sum I think a variety of possible arm positions is a good thing ergonomically.

Aron said...

I know nothing either but am learning because Chris has been shopping for ride bikes. I never knew how complicated it was!!