After 3 separate builds, I finally thought I’d test out some MTB bars. Just did 20 miles on these and here are my initial thoughts:
Comfort: After only using drop bars, and the occasional bullhorn bars, on builds, I can definitely say these are by far the best. The wide arm position feels very natural, opposed to either staying low in my drops, or the close hand position on the flat part. I will say however, after riding a while, it did start to hurt my wrist which I’m sure may be user error with my positioning. Regardless, felt much better than the attack position in my drops.
Control: This one is, Im sure, pretty obvious, but the control I felt with the wide bars felt unreal. Hopping up curbs or over potholes felt so much easier. When I’d ride on drops or with bullhorns I would always feel a bit unstable when doing quick maneuvers like that. Skidding also felt much easier. I would def say the bullhorns still take the crown for skids, but the mtb bars are definitely close behind. I wasnt worried about my knees hitting as they would with drop bars, and along with the comfortable arm position, I felt much more confident.
Bonus: Finally started to learn how to wheelie. This felt impossible with drop bars so I never really tried to learn. Since I do know to wheelie on my MTB I thought I’d give it a shot and I can say it is so much easier. Only able to stay up for a few second because I still have some nerves with my feet in the straps, but I think with a couple more days I’ll be able to do it easy.
Risers also just look so cool in my opinion. Unless you are all about an aggressive/attack look, I’d suggest trying them out.
by FDrap1d
2 Comments
Looks smart! Haven’t put drops on my bike in a long time and definitely prefer risers.
I have some of the absurd 52c gravel drops, I find them a very close competitor to flatbars on a fixed gear. It’s wide enough for cruising while sitting up, you can still get aero in the drops, and the hoods position with brake levers anyways is nice and wide and there’s plenty of leverage for climbing. Maybe like 20% of what you’d get with a really wide bar, but I can still make it up the same hills I could with a flatbar just more variety and something about it I think just looks better to my eyes.
You’re making me want to go back!