Competitors are participating in the largest mountain bike race in the U.S. with drop handlebars and custom-built hybrid bikes, commonly referred to as 'Frankenstein bikes'.
The Leadville 100, a significant race in American off-road racing, is witnessing a shift in gear strategies, with drop bars becoming a popular choice among top competitors. This evolution is transforming the race dynamics, as riders seek to optimize their bikes for the unique demands of the course.
Cole Paton, the 2025 marathon mountain bike national champion, and other leading racers have embraced drop bars. During the grueling 105-mile race that spans altitudes between 9,200 feet (2,804 m) and 12,424 feet (3,787 m), drop bars offer an aerodynamic advantage on the many fast, open gravel and fire-road sections.
The gravel-style riding position enabled by drop bars offers additional hand positions, reducing fatigue and improving comfort over long distances while maintaining power on climbs. This position is particularly beneficial in the Leadville 100, where riders need to balance climb-focused power with aerodynamic efficiency on long rolling terrain.
Travis Brown pioneered the use of drop bars in the Leadville 100 back in 2009, placing seventh despite being underprepared. However, it was not until more recently, especially with riders like Dylan Johnson in 2023 and Keegan Swenson in 2024, that drop bars gained serious attention and usage among top competitors. Swenson notably dominated the 2024 race on a drop-bar hardtail, finishing significantly ahead of rivals and recording the second-fastest time in race history.
The rise of drop bars has coincided with other evolving race equipment trends, such as the use of full-suspension bikes combined with wide gravel-style tires and aerodynamic enhancements like Rock Shox’s prototype front fork fairings. These innovations contribute to speed gains, making drop bars a compelling choice for many racers.
However, the shift to drop bars is not without controversy. Some argue that drop bars affect handling, making the fit with drop bars a hard transfer. Nevertheless, top racers like Keegan Swenson continue to experiment with drop bars, seeking an edge and improving their speed.
Notable names like Haley Smith, an Olympic mountain biker and former Life Time Grand Prix series winner, have also joined the drop bar trend. Smith, inspired by Russell Finsterwald's experiment with drop bars, overcame her initial apprehension to test the setup last year. She believes that a mountain bike with drop bars goes faster up and down certain points compared to a gravel bike with suspension.
While the choice between drop bars and traditional flat bars is increasingly becoming a personal decision, skill level will influence who will make the leap to drop bars. The shift is best kept for the professionals, as the aerodynamic benefits and improved handling require a certain level of mastery to fully exploit.
As the Leadville 100 continues to evolve, the conversation around drop bars, aerodynamics, and tri-bar extensions will undoubtedly persist. The debate over the 2x vs. 1x drivetrain is also prevalent among top racers in the Leadville 100. Sean Kelly, a famous cyclist, famously raced in toe clips long after the clipless pedal was standard in the pro peloton, suggesting that pure mountain bikers might resist the call to switch to drop bars.
In conclusion, the Leadville 100 is witnessing a significant shift towards drop bars, as riders seek to optimize their bikes for the unique demands of the course. This trend is transforming race dynamics and gear strategies, offering exciting possibilities for the future of American off-road racing.
Road racing, considered a subset of sports, is increasingly popular among top competitors in the Leadville 100, with drop bars becoming the preferred choice for many. In the grueling 105-mile race that spans extreme altitudes, drop bars offer an aerodynamic advantage on the fast, open gravel and fire-road sections, helping riders balance power on climbs with aerodynamic efficiency on long rolling terrain.
