---- ===== Drop-bars & MTB ===== Most early racers were comfortable with drops: they're aero, have more hand positions, easier to shift fore and aft for climbing, were easily available, looked cool and racers were used to winning with them. Yet, MTBs are //defined// as having flat bars. However, if [[https://mmbhof.org/john-tomac/|John Tomac]], the winningest racer in the history of MTB, was able to podium dozens of times on downhill courses using only drop-bars, it's worth allowing them.

{{cc:ccproto.jpg?0x180|1978 CCPROTO}} \\ 1978 [[cc:start|Cunningham]] CCPROTO. All Aluminum. Probably used SR Sakae Road Champion handlebars at ~420mm, which he spec'd on later [[cc:start#s1981|Indian]] builds. Weight: 24 pounds. [[https://www.sfomuseum.org/exhibitions/repack-rwanda-origins-evolution-and-global-reach-mountain-bike|sfomuseum]]

{{pstump.jpg?0x180|1984 Specialized Team Stumpjumper}} \\ 1984 [[special:start|Specialized]] Team Stumpjumper ((This is the first Team Stumpjumper, as built by [[merz:start|Jim Merz]].)) being held by Dave McLaughlin, who secretly swapped the flat bars for drops just before the race [[https://domesticbikes.com/pink-stumpjumper/|domesticbikes]].

{{potts:1987.jpg?0x180|1987 Steve Potts}} \\ 1987 [[potts:start|Steve Potts]]. Potts custom builds often installed wide flared drops (575mm) for discerning customers who wanted the best of both worlds [[http://www.vintagemtbworkshop.com/1987-steve-potts-signature.html|vintagemtbworkshop]].

{{gordon:1988.jpg?0x180|1988 Bruce Gordon Rock 'n Road}} \\ 1988 [[gordon:start|Bruce Gordon]] Rock 'n Road. This is a pure cyclocross bike and the forerunner of modern gravel bikes. Flared Nitto bars, probably 440mm wide. [[https://brucegordoncycles.blogspot.com/2015/01/third-in-series-of-bruce-gordons.html|brucegordoncycles]]

{{special:1989.jpg?0x180|1989 Specialized RockCombo }} \\ 1989 [[special:start|Specialized]] RockCombo. Perhaps the first mass produced drop bar MTB. //Specialized had the right idea, but nobody wanted the combo. Yet.// [[http://classiccycleus.com/home/1989-specialized-rockcombo/|classiccycleus]].

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