11-23-2014, 11:01 AM
Yes, I agree the best thing is to enjoy. I posted more as a general caution, and also because I will eventually be using my posts on this and bikeforums.net as raw materials for a blog or website. But I want to dispel some misconceptions.
"Back in the day" many, many bikes had downtube shifters - my bikes all had them until I finally got one with brifters in 2009. I never had to look down to find the shift levers - I merely reached to the same place they always were. However, my starting point was not the top middle of the handlebars, but rather the brake hoods or more rarely the drops. My bikes were properly fit, so that merely dropping my hand to the frame put the levers within easy reach.
Riding the tops near the stem is in itself far less safe. You have less leverage and control for turning, far less ability to hold onto the bar in any kind of collision, and poor access to the primary brake levers. Beyond that the position is harder on hands, arms and shoulders, constricts breathing more, and reduces the shock absorbing action of the elbow.
The stem shifters may follow logically from adopting the top of the bar position, but that does not make it a good idea. When one shifts a stem shifter it exerts a (small) turning force on the bars, and control of the bike is even worse.
A properly fitted road bike with downturn handlebars is quite comfortable for very long distances. That is why you see that configuration on the great majority of touring bikes. It was not a sadist who designed that arrangement, but rather the result of decades of experimentation. Again, you and other are of course free to make the choices that you feel work for you. My interest is that people make informed choices.
"Back in the day" many, many bikes had downtube shifters - my bikes all had them until I finally got one with brifters in 2009. I never had to look down to find the shift levers - I merely reached to the same place they always were. However, my starting point was not the top middle of the handlebars, but rather the brake hoods or more rarely the drops. My bikes were properly fit, so that merely dropping my hand to the frame put the levers within easy reach.
Riding the tops near the stem is in itself far less safe. You have less leverage and control for turning, far less ability to hold onto the bar in any kind of collision, and poor access to the primary brake levers. Beyond that the position is harder on hands, arms and shoulders, constricts breathing more, and reduces the shock absorbing action of the elbow.
The stem shifters may follow logically from adopting the top of the bar position, but that does not make it a good idea. When one shifts a stem shifter it exerts a (small) turning force on the bars, and control of the bike is even worse.
A properly fitted road bike with downturn handlebars is quite comfortable for very long distances. That is why you see that configuration on the great majority of touring bikes. It was not a sadist who designed that arrangement, but rather the result of decades of experimentation. Again, you and other are of course free to make the choices that you feel work for you. My interest is that people make informed choices.
![[-]](https://forums.bikeride.com/images/flatty/collapse.png "[-]")
