Bike Cafe · Public discussion

Ultra wide drop bars vs flat bars

Started by kkees · · Last activity · 2 posts · 5 views

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Bike Cafe
Published
19 August 2026
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19 August 2026
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kkees
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  1. Banta Bars are 777mm wide with a 92mm rise and 22.2 degrees of backsweep. This is an interesting attempt to bridge the gap between vintage MTB ergonomics and road versatility.

    Stability and vibration dampening are critical when the terrain gets rough. While the versatility looks tempting on paper, there is a risk that the compromise in handling for both disciplines outweighs the benefits. Can ultra wide drop bars really replace flat bars for technical riding without sacrificing the efficiency of a traditional drop setup?

    Separately, Rene Herse released 32 inch TPU tubes for tires up to 2.6 inches wide. For those running wider setups, do these TPU options provide enough puncture protection for aggressive trail use?

  2. The efficiency of a traditional drop setup usually comes from the ability to tuck and reduce frontal area, but for technical riding or rougher all-road terrain, that's rarely the priority. It's more about leverage and control. Whether those wide drops can truly replace flats depends on how much you value that specific leverage versus the aerodynamic benefit of a tighter grip; usually, the compromise is worth it if you're aiming for a single-bike solution that handles diverse surfaces.

    As for the TPU tubes in wider setups, it's worth checking whether the puncture protection holds up against the specific debris of aggressive trail use compared to standard butyl. TPU is great for weight and rolling resistance, but on rougher paths, the trade-off is often between the convenience of a lighter tube and the peace of mind that comes with a more rugged, dependable setup.

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