For one reason or another, I like drop bars.

Flat bars are in their heyday. The concept of the frame itself these days is often based on a geometry that matches short stems and handlebars with strong backsweep.

Front bags are also getting larger, and many of them are designed for flat bars.

But I still like drop handlebars.

When I was in elementary school, the “cool bike” I dreamed of had a drop handlebar, right?

Looks aside, in terms of functionality, compared to flat bars,

1. You can hold it in various positions.
2. When you lean forward, your body is supported by your hips and two arms, so your weight can be distributed (less likely to hurt your hips).
3. There is less head wind resistance.

These are notable advantages. Drop bars are good for long distance riding, and riding a bike leaning forward can be comfortable, if set up properly.

I don’t want to just talk about the advantages, so I’ll also tell you what the biggest difference is between drop bars and flat bars.

That is, should you grip the handlebars in front of the stem or further back?

Many flat bars have a back sweep starting from the clamping center, so the grip surface is basically on the front side of the stem.

This means that you can ride with your upper body raised and your back straight. This is comfortable and perfect for hanging around the neighborhood. In exchange, your upper body is raised, so your entire weight is on the saddle. This is quite related to the “butt pain problem”.

On the other hand, drop handlebars bend forward (called reach) and down (drop) from the clamping center.

Therefore, you are in a position where you are holding the bike against the flat bar, and the handlebars are further away. This shape puts you in a forward-leaning position, and your weight is distributed to your arms and butt. Also, I personally like the position of holding the bike because it creates a sense of unity with the bike.

With flat bars, you push the bike away from you. With drop bars, you hold the bike. That’s how it feels.

There are similarities with musical instruments, with the piano being said to be an instrument that pushes you away, while the guitar and bass are said to be instruments that embrace you. But that’s just a side note.

Personally, I like the style of riding where you hold the bike, so I like drop bars, but there are also handlebars that are somewhere in between, which are deep in their own way. I’ll write about that separately.

In these times, the proportion of Circles staff using drop bars has been increasing recently, and I feel like maybe drop bars will make a comeback, so I ordered a Hanafuda series from Nitto, and new products have arrived, so I’d like to introduce them to you.

NITTO x Circles B177HT Hanafuda Road Drop

The classic B177 has been heat treated (HT) to increase its strength and make it a comfi road drop. The regular model has a center clamp of 26.0mm, but this is a special order model with a 25.4mm and a Hanafuda (Japanese playing card) engraved on the ferrule.

It sweeps back a little from the center clamp, falls slightly over the shoulder, and then drops sharply with a short reach.

It’s complicated to put into words, but I’m amazed that such detailed handlebars could be made in an era without 3D modeling.

In fact, it looks almost straight to the eye, but it’s very different when you hold it.

Especially the way it fits when you place your hands on the bracket. I can’t explain this balance. It feels like if you place your hands naturally, they’ll end up in this position on the handlebars. Also, the way the lower handlebars stick out from the drops is perfect. No matter where you hold them, everything feels natural.

Seriously a masterpiece. I’d like to make a handlebar like this with a different approach.

Also, when I talked to Nitto about this shape, they said, “Actually, it’s not a backsweep, but a push-out of the center clamp,” which also relates to the grip, which made me even further appreciate the depth of this manufacturing method. This is difficult to explain in text and the purpose is slightly different, so if you’re interested, please ask.

And it has a Hanafuda katakana engraving designed by Circles.

If you want a narrow-shaped, classic-style bike, this B177HT is definitely the one for you.

I think the 500mm width would look great on gravel and track bikes too.

NITTO x Circles RM013HT Hanafuda Dirt Drop

The other type is a mountain drop bar with a classic origin. It is a handlebar that is perfect for gravel bikes now.

A wide handlebar that is almost straight from the center clamp, has a short reach, and gently flares.

It is wide and short reach, but has a deep drop, so it goes well with a short stem. If you match it with a stem of about 50 to 70 mm, you can create a lot of variance in grip position.

This type (gravel handlebar) has a lot of modern profiles, so there are few options for 25.4 mm, but it should be very suitable for gravel bikes with modern but 1-1/8″ threadless systems like WILDE BIKES or threaded stems like CRUST BIKES offerings.

Also, with a wide drop bar like this and a 25.4mm clamp, the handlebars are quite flexible and absorb vibrations well. There’s no discomfort from bouncing back and forth.

Well, there’s no need to think too hard about it; just choose one that feels good to hold, or one that’s wide or looks good, so I hope this will be one of your options when it comes to drop bars.

NITTO RH013HT Hanafuda Dirt Drop

Reach：92mm
Drop：140mm
Clamp Diameter：25.4mm
Width：480mm,520mm
Color : Silver, Black