is it wrong to go out on a road club ride with flat bars even if you’ve no trouble keeping up ??

why stick at flat bars? go for some wide risers & really get on their wick 🙂

Nowt wrong with that mate

Plenty folk do that.

Was on a shop road ride ride once and got talking to a guy who looked in his late 50s. I noticed he was using flat bars and asked why. He said he’d had a hip replacement and didn’t like going down on the drops any more. We got to the first hill and he promptly dropped me.

Not a problem

Make sure you also regularly call it darkside, and imply that it’s not proper cycling. Oh, and put the hammer down on every climb – the aim of a clubride is to see who you can drop off the back.

Btw Brian robinson first Brit to complete the tour de France and win a stage still does club runs round Yorkshire on his road bike with flat bars. If its good enough for him it is for me 🙂

As long as you’re not causing crashes etc

Was in my LBS the other day an noticed a couple of road bikes in for service/repair that had flat bars, one also had bar ends. If it works for you why not?

You’ll need to wear a camel back.

i always use flat bars on my road/tourer bike.
drops are pretty much redundent.
seriously, who can say that they get down on the hooks on a regular basis.

seriously, who can say that they get down on the hooks on a regular basis.

Me. Use the drops daily.

My road bike has flat bars, bar ends & disc brakes! 🙂

I suppose someone will be along shortly to boringly comment that “it’s not a road bike then”

Bull, it’s a bike designed purely for riding on the the road, ergo….

I hate drops, like the ease of the Hope mini discs & the bar ends give me all the hand position options i require.

seriously, who can say that they get down on the hooks on a regular basis.

Me, every ride.

To the OP:

It’s important also to ride at the front of the group so that you are half a wheel ahead of the rider alongside you. As he catches up, just edge forwards again.

You’ll also be able to show off your bike handling skills by riding at holes in the road, and then swerving at the last minute. The rest of the group will appreciate that.

Also, when you’re on the front and need to clear your sinuses, be sure to spit or do the footballer’s hanky over your shoulder rather than under your arm.

Absolutely don’t forget to moan about how miserable ALL roadies are and how they’re all crap and that you overtook the TdF while on your 40lb 10″ travel DH bike.

seriously, who can say that they get down on the hooks on a regular basis.

Me, every ride.

And me.

You’re probably over 35 and bought a Planet-X because they’re cheap (without thinking about fit) if you never touch the drops… Use them every ride myself to (alternate position for comfort, into a strong headwind and when descending)

I almost never use the drops FWIW. I have just turned 36 though 🙂 I don’t ride a Planet-X, mind 😉

seriously, who can say that they get down on the hooks on a regular basis.

those of us that can? 🙂

You’re probably over 35 and bought a Planet-X because they’re cheap (without thinking about fit) if you never touch the drops…

Have you been in my shed?