It is simply a road bike fitted with MTB-style shifters, brake levers and a flat handlebar.

The main differences were that the "F" had a lighter 4-into-I exhaust/silencer kit, fewer chrome trimmings, different sidepanels and slightly flatter handlebars.

Many penny-farthings and early safety bicycles had flat handlebars.

It is simply a road bike with a flat handlebar instead of the traditional drop handlebar.

Trek hasn't just stuck flat handlebars on race bikes.

These gave way to twist-grip shifters as developed by SRAM, which remain common on flat handlebars.

However, while average downhill races these days runs to 35mph, Mammoth racers were clocking 55-65mph on mostly rigid or semi-rigid bikes with flat handlebars.

The ergonomically designed frame and flat handlebars with an adjustable threadless stem provide an upright riding position for performance and a comfortable ride.

This has come to mean an expensive sturdy steel framed bike with 26-inch mountain bike sized wheels, no suspension, and either drop or flat handlebars.

Aluminum frame features hydroformed and butted top and down tubes for enhanced strength and reduced weight; flat handlebar puts you in a comfortable, upright riding position.