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If, indeed, I will.
I like riding my bike and have been doing so for years. I am however skill-less and, in terms of geometry, I'm completely illiterate. I'm a pootler and very much a 'sub-optimal' rider.
I've done all my riding on hybridised hardtails (essentially gravel riding) and my current ride is a lovely MkIV Swift, which I love. Following a number of heart attacks I promised myself a 'proper' gravel bike (something a bit lighter) and, several years later, I've finally got around to buying and building up a 2023 Ragley Trig.
It's all done bar the bar wrapping and I've taken it around the block a few times and my, doesn't it feel weird. More jittery than the Swift but I guess that the real issue are the drop handlebars. I'm more stretched out than I am on the Swift but not overly so but I just feel 'unsafe' (I certainly won't be taking it anywhere near traffic for a while).
For reference I've found both bikes on Geometry Geeks, the Swift is flat bar with a 70x10 stem with 10mm of spaceers whilst the Trig has EC70 bars and an 80x0 stem with 30mm spacers (the max. Ragley were happy with).
I've also been learning about drop handlebars - Drop Bar Hand Positions: an Introduction (lovelybike.blogspot.com)
Any tips or thoughts? Is it just a case of persistence and familiarity? I think I need to learn to ride the Trig as it's meant to be ridden rather than trying to make it feel like the Swift (which I shall continue to ride).
I probably need to get a few longer (traffic free) rides under my belt.
First time on drop bars after years of flat bars is bound to feel odd, and with your head more facing down and further forward I do find your special awareness for cars around you takes some adjusting to.
Normal to feel odd, I still get it a bit jumping between my 800mm wide bars and the drops on my gravel bike. Lasts about 5 minutes for me but I grew up riding both.
Persevere and riding on the hoods feels (imo) the safest place providing your brakes are decent.
Once you get used to it you'll appreciate the little aerodynamic advantages and multiple hand positions. Especially on longer rides and with headwinds.
Def gonna take a while to get used to drops. Many will raise them, tilt them up, use a shorter stem.
They will feel less secure compared to flats but for gravel you don't need that, again you should get used to it.
Does it feel lighter/faster?
I normally can jump onto any right sized bike no problem. My current, DHB singlespeed, DHB winter/audax, and Orange HT i love but my really expensive new Colnago summer bike even after a bike fit, i do not like.
I have had a fiddle with it this winter if it stops raining i will see if this had worked at all
I'm still not completely sold on drops. And I'm 6 years in on them.
Also, there's huge variations in drop bar shapes. My current Genesis bar has a weird dip from the ends of the tops - making it uncomfortable on the hoods/end of flats. They're also vertical in the ends, and so not as comfy as my old flared bars. But the actual bottom of the drops is more comfortable....
I'm going to try some flared bars again.
Drops on gravel are okay, but if you are trying to shimmy around stuff, pop off stuff, bunny hop holes and so on, they’re not great. Also, is the Trig much lighter than the Swift (I don’t know if it is or not). Saying that, taking it round the block isn’t going tell you much.
Where that are great is bit of road, bit of off road.
Drop bars i think could take tens of rides to get really into. Not that they process wouldn’t be fun
Drop bars add around 70mm to the reach over the stem plus you have less stack. Consider an angled stem pointing up if necessary.
Ideally you’ll be descending on the drops.
I'd try putting the bars as high as you can, and fitting a slightly shorter stem. The 'odd' feeling can be because you're more stretched out with a more arse up body position. Also drop bars require better flexibility and core strength than what the typical mountain bike requires.
Persevere, I'd give it at least a few months riding before deciding if the bike is just not for you.
I'd maybe see someone in a bike shop who can advise and guide you on a better fit.
Where are you placing your hands on the drop bars? Drops? Tops? Hoods? It’ll make a difference. Hoods are usually where most gravel riding takes place, so try to get it comfortable for that. If the stem is angled down, flip it to a rise until you get used to it, it’ll feel closer to a MTB and take some of your weight rearward. Whilst it will feel twitchy initially, you should get used to it. Don’t be tempted to go too short on the stem to fix the stretched out feel, it’ll make it even twitchier.
My Boardman ADV felt fine doing a 35 miler for my first ride on a drop bar bike in over 30 years. Popped the front wheel up a few small obstacles and did a couple of slow 'trackstandy' turns no problem
I did flip the stem up though and went for a medium as recommended by the size guides when I'm usually a large on MTB's
I've never got used to drops. But i put this down to my road routes have too many cycle paths where i prefer flat bars to avoid the wayward pedestrians and dogs on stupid extendable leads
I definitely need to do some decent rides, a few times around the block clearly isn't going to do it.
I'm riding on the hoods so I know where the brakes are & I'm still having to think about the shifters. It'll take time.
I have a 0 rise stem but could get a riser.
I feel a bit stretched on the hoods, but oddly cramped on the drops.
I'm a terrible tinkerer and probably just need to ride the thing!
It’s also going to feel a bit jittery as you say with just the bare bars, as tape will make them thicker and give grip. Suggest once you have the hoods setup somewhere neutral you get the bars taped and try again.