i would ride normally holding them in a ‘flat bar’ position when sitting upright or for seeing easier. i only use the drop bar section when wanting more power (uphill etc) or going faster (more efficient riding position).
i think the correct way to position the bars is to have the drop bar roughly pointing to the rear hub.
or choose a bar that’s reasonably flat on the topside of the hooks like a Nitto Noodle or Nitto Rando. With some grippy bar tape there’s a pretty comfy position on the outer tops, sort of a shade behind where your hoods would be. Gives you tops, outer tops and drops to mix things up a little.
But I use the drops for sprinting and climbing, defiantly makes climbing easier.
however i bought some hillbrick track drops (ebay) and my hands dont fully fit on the “flat bar” unless they are right next to the stem. long rides on the flats tend to give me a dull ache in my wrists.
I am in the drops all the time, like I only go on the tops when I hit the city, down royal parade I just fly. I got track grips to persuade me some more
flats would pretty much be the same as drops if the width was the same. I guess risers give you a more upright position therefore would be better in traffic.
ive got drops too with a single brake lever mounted on the flat part of the bars. i find myself mainly on the flats and sometimes a shade behind where the hood would be. i kinda wish i had hoods coz i like how that feels and i’m closing to doing the old chop n flop and making myself a loverly bullhorn setup but dont want to chop me bars coz i reckon theyre a little too nice even though they’re not branded.
dont chop!! dont do it, seriously, i reckon they look better as drops. as for getting hoods, i wouldnt. it kind of takes that little bit out of the simplistic look, and puts a bit of road riding look into it. i dono is that makes sense though :roll:
Given that I’ve already got a city commuter fixie (risers) and a road bike (which I train on/hit the hills/race mates) I might make a sweet looking fixie to cruise to breakfast on haha.