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Are Drop Bars Becoming Popular in the Leadville Trail 100?

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by (120 points)
Difficult to say if it is a new trend but thanks for the observation. Some riders do use drop bars on long rides. I hear it all the time, in fact. We've got some Great Divide riders in this region. It seems to be the more popular choice. However, it will require a lot of strength as well as aggressive riding style.

1 Answer

0 votes
by (2.9k points)
As seen in some of the pro riders in the Leadville Trail 100, some of them have employed drop bars on their mountain bikes with the intention of enhancing their aerodynamics on the flatter portions of the course. Though not common, the shift from riser bars is picking up steam and may have ramifications for future setups in the race.
by (100 points)
This may be a controversial opinion, but I think drop bar MTBs are one of, if not the most beautiful style of bikes.
by (100 points)
Travis Brown rode Leadville on drop bars in 2009.  That was the first year Dave Weins lost to Lance.  Glad to see it's coming back around!
by (100 points)
Tiago Ferreira said in a brazilian podcast that you were much more aero in the flat sections. In climbing he said there were no diferences.
by (100 points)
Underrated part of Keegan's win was his bike handling on those descents with drop bars. What an absolute demon.
by (100 points)
Backwards hat Dylan is the highlight of the content. As one who rides in the small buckle group at Leadville I hope I don't see drop bar MTB as riders of my speed probably don't have the skill set needed to navigated the downhills as well with drop bars.
by (100 points)
you seem rather miffed in the intro to this :), i have a spare old hardtail mtb in my garage and i put drop bars and fairly low end components that were in a box, have to be honest it's brought a new lease of life to the bike, thoroughly enjoy riding it now. i notice Drew is following suite with the drop bar thing too :) good to see you back posting content, hoping for more with shorter breaks between if you can manage.
by (100 points)
I love dropbarmtb riding and honestly nothing at Leadville would lead me to think a flatbar would be better for it. I don't even know if suspension would be necessary either but it sure would make it more comfortable to do. I spent a couple years riding singletrack on a full rigid dropbarmtb and it had its own challenges and limitations but for the most part it did great. The only thing I would change is to add a suspension fork to take some of the beating my wrists took down to a manageable level. I do understand the arguments against them and no I wouldn't suggest doing Enduro or DH racing with it but some trail riding and definitely a lot of XC riding on them is very realistic. I think dropbarmtb has a solid future in store.
by (100 points)
Climbing on the hoods of dropbars is much nicer and so probably more efficient than the awkward mtb position.
by (100 points)
I love that the content you post is Kerry Werner flying past you on flat bars when you talk about your fastest descent on powerline on drop bars
by (100 points)
Fascinating to see how this played out; many questions remain! When the more aero setup leads to more time spent pulling me solo, is that ‘faster’? In this instance, no. But that’s far from confirmation that drops are the worse option.
by (100 points)
great ride, well done, fantastic analysis;  the interesting thing about drop bars off road is yes you have an aero gain, however the real aero gain/energy saving is drafting others vs just being in the wind in a lower position with the drop bar, I'm sure being behind others is the ideal and has greater aero gains.   Now the bigger issue for me is the loss of leverage the wider bar offers (and ability to unweight), picking lines on high speed descents etc, and maybe that's why k punctured.  Just a thought from my experience mtb and cx racing.
by (100 points)
21st is excellent Dylan. You’ll see plenty of more drop bars next year. If I get through in the lottery I’ll def be fitted for that but that’s also bc I suck with flat bars
by (100 points)
i had a custom made ibis built in 1990 with drops  rode that way for years rigid fork   been done long before me      everything cycles around
by (100 points)
Drop bars are the thin end of the wedge, I can see a future where the geomtry of a bike is taylored to the course, stack height, head angle, chain stay length, BB drop.
by (100 points)
I know a guy who only rides drop bar mountain bikes, no matter the terrain.
by (100 points)
The original drop bar king was John Tomac is 1990. Hey if it’s faster just do it. All the haters are jealous they didn’t think of it.
by (100 points)
I can pretty much guarantee you a dollar to a doughnut that anybody who is competitive in that race will be on drop bar mountain bike next year.
by (100 points)
I find this drop bar phase very  interesting. I think that drop bar MTBs are much better to ride than gravel bikes.
by (100 points)
my 2 cents, Dylan is clear the one to push the envelope on the monster franken MTB drop bar race bike... because 2nd this was done before but not for this short distances and free of load bikes,  this type of think outside the box is the edge of dylan,  very mamba mentality if I may... then the key is Trail. ... now I kudos and congrat and chapeau you Dylan... and wonder , ask, if is there a chance of putting you or your bike and analysis behind something bigger like the tour divide.
by (100 points)
Awesome ride, drop bars for the win. I would love to try this race, living at sea level doesn't help.
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