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I guess I should use drop bars.
I have a few mtbs parts in the spares bin e.g. LX hydro brakes but nothing for the road/CX bike without making it look like a flat bar 29'er.
Ok spend more you only live once.
1x11 SRAM?
If you're building him a CX bike then yes, it should have drops as without them it's not a CX bike. Re 1x, as you get old you appreciate lower gears, 1x is nice but lower gears may be nicer.
Ok drops it is.
May consider 105's if I can stretch to that budget.
I've got some drops I took off my CX bike, 3T Rotunda I think they are?
You can have them if they suit? Obviously logistics need to work but they aren't any use to me and if you can get some use then they are yours otherwise some one else can have them?
Older backs are less flexible. Flat bars on a longer, higher stem may be appreciated. Talk options with him.
A CX bike should have drops. But that's not really the question- do you definitely want drops? Will be be better served by that? I suspect not (but I think a great many people on drop bar bikes would be better served with flats tbh)
Yep, exactly the point. Drops are for aero tuck and longer distances where multiple hand positions alleviate stiffness. Flats on a riser bar with longer stem (to address the forward curve of drops) are more natural on shorter rides and place fingers over brakes. He isn't fussed about pb's but will appreciate comfort, control and security.
With the OP's name, a Midge bar is destiny. 😉
I think it depends what you're building him here. If he/you want a CX bike then it will have drop bars, nobbly tyres, steep geometry, high BB and no mounts for guards, etc.
If you don't want a CX bike and instead want a relaxed bike for tow paths, pottering and road work then anything goes. Personally, I'd still have drops for the multiple positions available but your opinion may vary.
And if money is tight, the new Tiagra is very, very good indeed and can be picked up quite cheaply.
I think you really want is a hybrid. It's OK. You'll feel a bit dirty for even thinking it but I'm sure there's a support group for it. Probably chaired by PeterPoddy.
i built 2 cx bikes with flat bars, my wife prefers flat bars as she never used the drops , the brakes and gears are now easier at hand. she has no problem with 30-40 miles a day on touring holidays
i then built one for myself for adventure races, holidays etc. however for longer distances eg 50 mile runs, i find my hands/wrists get sore, so i'm going to put drops back on to give more choice of hand position.
probably more important for older people - backs get stiffer and a slightly raised shorter position is more comfortable, i'm not necessarily talking about very upright - sometimes 1-2 cms makes all the difference on longer runs
I took the drop bars off my CX bike and fitted MTB bars and controls - much prefer it. [FYI Shimano 10 speed shifters are not compatible MTB/Road]
Now have a very svelte hybrid
my advice would be to think for yourself, and get the ergonomics you want, rather than sticking with convention.
Drop bars don't have to be any lower than flats. If you set them up so the hoods are a comfortable position, you then have the drops a little lower to get out of the wind or weight he front more and the tops to be even more upright. Older folk may appreciate the variety of positions too, being stuck in one place is not ideal for some.
Regarding comfort, personally I found I prefer one very comfy flat bar position over several less comfy drop bar positions. Again this is a ymmv but after 50 miles or so I just couldn't get sustainably comfy anywhere on the various drops setups I've had whereas I can go all day on the flat bars. I think this is part messed up body shape and part years of mountain biking but I guess the point I'm making is, the conventional wisdom isn't universal and it took me quite a long time to stop following it.
It is less aero though. I couldn't give a rat's ass in normal conditions but in big headwinds it becomes harder work to tuck in. I am philosophical about this- big headwinds are shite no matter what.
Another option for multiple positions on a flat bar is butterfly bars, in my small stash of bike spares is a set of modular/adjustable Modolo Dumbo's from ~2008, bought after I began cycling again after scary lower back injury that still gives me occasional grief.
Speaking as an antique - I use a shallow drop - but what I appreciate more is large volume tyres running at low pressures. That removes most of what makes a ride unpleasant on our poorly surfaced roads.
Sounds like a business opportunity - building old dad bikes. 🙂
Assuming he wants drops, put drops on.
Mountain bikers may prefer flat bars however I ride road a lot and Mtb and would go for the multiple positions of a drop bar on anything where I didn't really need flat bars for control.
Obviously if he's not used to drops a flat or *shudder* butterfly bar may be better, and unless you're building a race machine bear in mind that bars need to be at a comfortable height.
Back to my original point, take the hit and get his preference of bars. My dad is nearly 70 and rides drops (with a higher stem than I do)