tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11662550.post8425622260772492605..comments2008-05-07T16:48:57.851-04:00PCMnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11662550.post-62414719617096950832008-05-07T16:48:00.000-04:002008-05-07T16:48:00.000-04:00It drives me nuts when people have suspension on bikes that are neither mountain-worthy nor ever going to be taken anywhere _near_ a mountain. Nevertheless, I'm a big fan of pre-1997 (maybe 1997 was the last year? Mine's a 1996) mountain frames, from before they became overbuilt and full of suspension. And I _hate_ nubby tires in real life, but here in Granada I keep wishing that I had them since there are so many cobblestone-paved roads where my 1" slicks get stuck. And I have straight handlebars on my Trek 800 (the 1996 that I use as a commuter in the Bay Area), but with barends that bend and add two more comfortable positions. I love the drop bars on my road bike, but I like commuting with the barends. Just adding my 1.3 euro cents ...<BR/><BR/>-AVAVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381088586117966689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11662550.post-91385621199989460852008-05-06T14:31:00.000-04:002008-05-06T14:31:00.000-04:00Very good post. I never thought about how uncomfortable the 'straight' handlebars can be because I've always had them on my bicycles (I guess that says something about the quality of bikes I've owned?). I've also been 'intimidated' by the dropdown handles. I feel like I'm less aware of what's going on around me than if I was upright. I'd like to know if you have any suggestions on handlebars for your Xootr Swift (if you still own it) because that's my main commuter and I'm always up for improvements in my riding. Thanks for the posts.<BR/><BR/>JohnJOHNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17796780356316258748noreply@blogger.com