Flat bar road bike
Encyclopedia
A flat bar road bike is a relatively new style of bicycle
. It is simply a road bike often fitted with MTB-style
shifters
, brake levers and a flat handlebar. This combination provides a light, fast bike with a more upright and neutral riding position. A flat bar road bike is most commonly used for commuting
, urban and fitness riding. While flat bar road bikes were originally converted from regular, drop bar road bikes, many manufacturers since about 2004 are now offering "Flat Bar Road Bikes" off the shelf such as the Bianchi
Pista Flat Bar.
The flat handlebar on a flat-bar bike usually provides the rider with a more upright riding position compared to drop handlebars. This may allow a more comfortable ride for those who prefer to be in a more upright .Flatbar bikes have larger more padded(often gel) seats as more weight is on the seat than with a drop bar which places weight on the hands.The flat bar bike is ideal for those with lower back issues. A flat bar denies the rider the use of the lower drop handle bars, which may be beneficial to cyclists who want to focus on high cadence, faster riding. The detriment of the flat bar is the elimination of multiple hand positions (and accompanying body positions) which drop bars provide which is important in very long rides of 2 hours or more. Many flat bar bikes are fitted with short end bars to give alternative hand positions especially for climbing. Flat bar bikes are designed for commuting,shopping, short distance fitness and recreation rides on roads or paths riding at medium speeds. Most flat bar bikes weight between 25 and 27lbs although many brands now offer flatbar bikes with carbon forks ,seat stays and seatposts which reduces the weight to about 22- 23lbs. Most flatbar bikes use wider 28 or 32mm tyres compared to drop bar bikes which are usually fitted with narrower, higher pressure 23 or 25mm tyres. The wider tyre gives a more comfortable ride over paths and rough road surfaces. A flat bar bike is not a crosscountry bike nor is it suited to riding off paved surfaces.Most flatbars are fitted with a triple gear giving 24 or 27 speeds. Compared to the racing drop bar bikes they have longer wheelbases, more trail (giving a more stable ,less twitchy ride)and are 5-8lbs heavier.
Some common brands are Giant,Trek,Fuji,Avanti (in New Zealand and Australia).
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
. It is simply a road bike often fitted with MTB-style
Mountain bike
A mountain bike or mountain bicycle is a bicycle created for off-road cycling. This activity includes traversing of rocks and washouts, and steep declines,...
shifters
Shifter (bicycle part)
A bicycle shifter or gear control or gear levers is a component used to control the gearing mechanisms and select the desired gear ratio. Typically, they operate either a derailleur mechanism or an internal hub gear mechanism. In either case, the control is operated by moving a cable that connects...
, brake levers and a flat handlebar. This combination provides a light, fast bike with a more upright and neutral riding position. A flat bar road bike is most commonly used for commuting
Bicycle commuting
Bicycle commuting is the use of a bicycle to travel from home to a place of work or study — in contrast to the use of a bicycle for sport, recreation or touring....
, urban and fitness riding. While flat bar road bikes were originally converted from regular, drop bar road bikes, many manufacturers since about 2004 are now offering "Flat Bar Road Bikes" off the shelf such as the Bianchi
Bianchi
Bianchi, a plural of bianco , is a frequent proper name; notable people with that surname include:*Andrea Bianchi, an Italian film director*Bianca Bianchi , stage name of Bertha Schwarz, German/Austrian opera soprano...
Pista Flat Bar.
The flat handlebar on a flat-bar bike usually provides the rider with a more upright riding position compared to drop handlebars. This may allow a more comfortable ride for those who prefer to be in a more upright .Flatbar bikes have larger more padded(often gel) seats as more weight is on the seat than with a drop bar which places weight on the hands.The flat bar bike is ideal for those with lower back issues. A flat bar denies the rider the use of the lower drop handle bars, which may be beneficial to cyclists who want to focus on high cadence, faster riding. The detriment of the flat bar is the elimination of multiple hand positions (and accompanying body positions) which drop bars provide which is important in very long rides of 2 hours or more. Many flat bar bikes are fitted with short end bars to give alternative hand positions especially for climbing. Flat bar bikes are designed for commuting,shopping, short distance fitness and recreation rides on roads or paths riding at medium speeds. Most flat bar bikes weight between 25 and 27lbs although many brands now offer flatbar bikes with carbon forks ,seat stays and seatposts which reduces the weight to about 22- 23lbs. Most flatbar bikes use wider 28 or 32mm tyres compared to drop bar bikes which are usually fitted with narrower, higher pressure 23 or 25mm tyres. The wider tyre gives a more comfortable ride over paths and rough road surfaces. A flat bar bike is not a crosscountry bike nor is it suited to riding off paved surfaces.Most flatbars are fitted with a triple gear giving 24 or 27 speeds. Compared to the racing drop bar bikes they have longer wheelbases, more trail (giving a more stable ,less twitchy ride)and are 5-8lbs heavier.
Some common brands are Giant,Trek,Fuji,Avanti (in New Zealand and Australia).