Life Time: Drop handlebars are banned from two major US MTB races. Life Time cites Safety Concerns and “Course Compatibility”.
The races in question are Leadville 100 (Colorado), and the Little Sugar MTB races (Arkansas). Granted, these are not Gravel Events, but the popularity of MTB’s built with drop handlebars vs the traditional flat or riser handlebar has been rising (pardon the pun). Many of the “pro” gravel racers and “privateers” have been looking for an edge, think marginal gains, and some believe a drop handlebar mountain bike is the trick. Be certain to watch the video below.
Drop Bar MTB’s banned by Life Time Video
Alternative Video Link for those reading via email subscription
In this video, JOM of Gravel Cyclist provides his thoughts on the matter, and invites comments. Keep it civil, but do chime in.
Learn more about JOM’s drop bar Lynskey above (sold long ago) by following this link. The bike below, JOM’s Calfee CX did not cut it at events such as Hilly Billy Roubaix, Pisgah Monster Cross, etc, around 2013/2014. This is why the Lynskey pictured above came to exist.
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I kind of get Lifetime’s position since the vast majority of participants are old fat guys like me (I earned three Leadville 100 MTB buckles in my mid 50’s). I am a long time gravel racer in additon to MTB’er. I’ve raced events like The Hilly Billy Roubaix on drop bar bikes, but I would probably not ride drop bars at Leadville. I think it’s a safety issue when you have that many people of widely varying capabilities on a course that features a significant amount of high speed two way traffic. I’m sure the pros are a bit upset that the choice to use drops has been taken away from them, but the field has been leveled.