Hi all,
I recently started cycling to work. I live in the Netherlands, so hills are not an issue, but wind definitely is.
My commute is 28 km each way. I’m trying to make the bike as comfortable as possible for that distance. With a tailwind everything feels fine, but with a headwind I notice that my very upright position makes me work much harder than I think is necessary and i'm loosing quite a bit of speed.
I do like the comfort and visibility of the upright position, but I would also like the option to get lower and more aerodynamic when the wind is bad.
My idea is putting a redshift top shelf handlebar on the bike. My thinking is that it could give me both a normal, upright touring position (comparable to what i have now) and a lower position when i need it. I would pair it with hydraulic drop-bar brake levers and hydraulic sub brake levers, so I can brake from both the hoods/drops and the top of the bar.
I’m not sure if this is actually the right direction, though. I have never ridden a bike with drop bars, so I wonder how much of a difference it actually makes.
The full setup would cost around €600 for the handlebar, Shimano hydraulic brake levers, sub brake levers and the required parts. That feels like a lot of money for something I’m not sure will work for me.
i've made a mockup trying to visualise the idea but couldn't get the sub brake leavers right, hope you get the idea.
Has anyone tried something similar for long, windy commutes? Would drop bars or a bar like the redshift top shelf make a noticeable difference while still giving a comfortable option, or are there better alternatives for my situation?
by BroadInvestment2013
5 Comments
Not sure if those expensive upgrades make sense. Switching from flat to dropbars massively changes the geometry of the bike. For example your flat handlebar curves towards you, whereas the drop bar will have the hoods much further away. Being in the drops helps a bit against the wind for sure but you put the bar in such a high position that i’m not sure it makes a big difference.
Maybe just slap on some aerobars on the flatbars and use them when the wind gets bad. This will be cheaper and much more aerodynamic than the high drop bars. Only use them when you are certain that you don’t need to brake soon. I wouldn’t use them in the city but if you have a 28km commute I guess there will be long stretches of uninterrupted flat roads as well.
Also aerodynamic clothing should make an even bigger difference, if you are able to change at work.
I would start with something like the Surly Corner bar (or a Chinese alternative.) This would allow you to test the drop bar position with your current controls and if you don’t like you can sell it. If you do like it, you can sell it as well and get the proper dropbar option.
A downside is that it’s not exactly the same as a drop bar but I would say close enough, at least for the purpose of getting more aero. And another thing is that it’s not a riser bar so you would be a bit lower in your upright position.
Upside is that in the drop position it sweeps back at an angle that, at least for me, is comfortable, albeit quite a bit lower than what you currently have.
Why wouldn’t you use some add on aerobars (triathlon opzetstuur)? It gives you a lower *and* a slimmer profile, and it’s pretty comfortable if the fit is right. You can find some good ones for 10-50 euros on Marktplaats. If you don’t like them you can sell them again and go for the more expensive drop bar solution.
Why would headwinds be a problem on an e-bike? Just let the motor take care of it
Longer flatter stem, some VO crazy bars and some Ergon GC3 grips.
Jones H Bars
Butterflies and a lower stem.