I am purchasing my first road bike for an upcoming triathlon and am trying to decide between a road bike with flat handlebars or a road bike with drop handlebars. I am more used to the flat bars since that is what my mountain bike has, but I feel like the drop handlebars will be better for racing. The bike shop said it really is just a personal preference, but I want to know what people would recommend and if there are any pros/cons to either? The bikes are pretty comparable besides the handlebars. The flat bar bike cost $400 and the drop bar bike costs $550. Let me know what you recommend.
If you are going to be riding on the road, definitely get a road bar. If you just want to ride around paved trails and your driveway, get the flat bar.
Please, do yourself a favor and hit up another shop (or three). I hope they went into more detail than just “personal preference” when describing a hybrid vs. road bike. Yes, to a beginner they may look like the same bike, but most likely you will get narrower tires on the road bike, and a frame with completely different geometry. Almost any flat bar road bike puts you at an upright position- meaning you are using mostly your quads to pedal, as opposed to your stronger hamstrings/glutes.
Even if you are checking out an entry level bike, a shop should be able to tell you 5+ pros/cons of 2 different bike types- good shops do this and more, and normally sell a better bike anyways because of the knowledge/education.
-Physiojoe
x2.
Either post or look up your self the specs on the bike manufactures website.
Flat bars are easier to handle and keep you upright. Drop bars aren’t that difficult to handle and will keep you lower and more aero. Get the kind you think you will use more often in the future. I would recommend the drop bars if you plan on doing many more triathlons.
The Drop Handebars bike:
Diamondback Podium 1 Road Bike
BOTTOM BRACKET: Sealed Cartridge
BRAKES: Tektro R350 dual pivot
CASSETTE: Shimano HG50 8spd (12-25t)
CHAIN: KMC-Z82
CRANKSET: FSA CK200 Road Triple, 52,42,30t
FORK: DBR Podium Carbon
FRAME: DBR Custom Butted 7005 Alloy Compact Geometry Frame
FRONT DERAILLEUR: Shimano FD2300
GRIPS/TAPE: DBR cork w/gel
HANDLEBAR: Avenir 200 Series Road 31.8
HEADSET: Semi Sealed 1-1/8
LEVERS: Shimano Sora
PEDALS: Wellgo Road w/Toe Clip and Strap
RACK MOUNTS: No
REAR DERAILLEUR: Shimano Sora
SADDLE: DBR Performance Road
SEATPOST: Avenir 200 series, Alloy Micro Adjust 27.2mm
SHIFTERS: Shimano Sora Dual Control 8spd
STEM: Avenir 200 Series Road 31.8
TIRES: Michelin Dynamic 700x23c
WHEELSET: Wienmann TR-18 aluminum rims;28-hole front / 28-hole rear
.
Drop bars, but first get a good fitting.
Flat Handlebars bike:
Fuji Absolute 3.0
SIZES (Step-Over) 15", 17", 19", 21", 23"
SIZES (S.T.) (Step-Through) 15", 17", 19"
COLOR(S) (Step-Over) Gloss Black, Wine (Step-Through) Pearly Pink, Vanilla
MAIN FRAME Fuji Altair 1 aluminum with Tear Drop down tube, Double water bottle mounts
REAR TRIANGLE Fuji Altair 1 custom tapered aluminum, Fuji forged road dropout with replaceable derailleur hanger
FORK Fuji 1 1/8" Hi-Ten Aero w/eyelets and forged dropouts
CRANKSET Fuji Alloy Forged 28/38/48T
BOTTOM BRACKET Sealed Cartridge Bearing ST
PEDALS Fuji Alloy and plastic platform
FRONT DERAILLEUR NEW Shimano non-series FD-M191, 31.8mm
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Altus, 8-speed
SHIFTERS Shimano Acera
CASSETTE Sunrace CSM56, 11-32T 8-speed
CHAIN KMC Z-72
FRONT HUB Formula Alloy Road, 36h
REAR HUB Formula Alloy Cassette Road, 8-speed, 36H
SPOKES 14G Stainless Steel
RIMS Jalco Double Wall Alloy, 36H
TIRES Kenda Kontender, 700 X 28c
TUBES Kenda Presta
BRAKE SET Tektro Mini-V, Forged Alloy with modulator
BRAKE LEVERS Promax Alloy w/Kraton insert
HEADSET Fuji 1 1/8" Standard Semi Cartridge
HANDLEBAR Fuji Aluminum
STEM Fuji Adjustable Aluminum
TAPE/GRIP Fuji Ergo Double Density Kraton
SADDLE Fuji Sport Comfort Men/Ladies Specific
SEAT POST Fuji 27.2 Micro-Adjust Aluminum, 300mm
SEAT CLAMP Alloy 31.8mm QR
OTHER 7075 alloy water bottle bolts
WEIGHT- LB./KG. 11.83kg /26.10lbs - SO; 11.92kg / 26.27lbs - ST
Thank you everyone for your feedback, I really appreciate it!