When do you go down?
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Shazam !!0
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Loads of people on this thread have done much more (and more competitive) cycling than me so I'm just pitching something here but I find it odd that bars and shifters that seem optimised for riding on the drops are actually ridden so seldom on the drops.
Personally I find that my bike handles better from the drops so I tend to be on them for anything that is significantly downhill or fast and twisty.
I also find that the controls - braking and shifting - are slightly better from the drops.
I still ride mostly on the hoods but will use the drops if I am into a headwind or even if I am pushing the speed for 20 minutes.
I wonder if there is an element of fashion here - people like the look of having bars significantly lower than the saddle but this means that the drops are pretty difficult to use for any length of time. I have a relatively small drop to the bars and I think this allows me to make more use of the multiple hand positions that drop bars offer.
Is there any truth in that?
J0 -
jedster wrote:Loads of people on this thread have done much more (and more competitive) cycling than me so I'm just pitching something here but I find it odd that bars and shifters that seem optimised for riding on the drops are actually ridden so seldom on the drops.
Personally I find that my bike handles better from the drops so I tend to be on them for anything that is significantly downhill or fast and twisty.
I also find that the controls - braking and shifting - are slightly better from the drops.
I still ride mostly on the hoods but will use the drops if I am into a headwind or even if I am pushing the speed for 20 minutes.
I wonder if there is an element of fashion here - people like the look of having bars significantly lower than the saddle but this means that the drops are pretty difficult to use for any length of time. I have a relatively small drop to the bars and I think this allows me to make more use of the multiple hand positions that drop bars offer.
Is there any truth in that?
J
An element of fashion? In cycling? Are you mad?
I find the opposite - shifting, braking much better from the hoods. Hand position, wrist position, much more comfortable. Array of alternative positions, also far more convenient. As such, I set up my bikes to be optimal for that position, rather than compromise the position I use 95% of the time in order to make the other position a bit more comfortable.0 -
find the opposite - shifting, braking much better from the hoods. Hand position, wrist position, much more comfortable. Array of alternative positions, also far more convenient. As such, I set up my bikes to be optimal for that position, rather than compromise the position I use 95% of the time in order to make the other position a bit more comfortable.
fair enough but makes me wonder why people don't cut the drops off!
Actually, re hand and wrist positions, quite a lot of this is influenced by bar height and tilt, isn't it? I don't think I'd fnd the drops as comfortable for my hands and wrist if they were much lower becasue the angle between forearm and hand would be more pronounced Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying your set up is wrong just that the compromises are pretty complex.
J0 -
jedster wrote:fair enough but makes me wonder why people don't cut the drops off!
Because they do use them when they want to. You can't use them if they are not there.jedster wrote:Actually, re hand and wrist positions, quite a lot of this is influenced by bar height and tilt, isn't it? I don't think I'd fnd the drops as comfortable for my hands and wrist if they were much lower becasue the angle between forearm and hand would be more pronounced Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying your set up is wrong just that the compromises are pretty complex.
You need to bend you elbows more, that will give you a fairly straight angle betwen forearm and wrist, regardless of height or tilt. It'll flatten your back too of course, which isn't as comfortable as sitting more upright, which is why most cycling is done on the hoods, not the drops.0 -
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Drops for descents, fast stretches, headwinds, occasionally when putting the power down uphill (if its not too steep). I definitely find braking better on the drops, hoods probably a bit more comfortable - reckon I spend most time there, occasionally on the tops if grinding uphill or just trying to recover a bit.
For descents, I like the stomach on the saddle ares over the back wheel head down hands on the drops position - feels pretty aero and quite stable, also easy to get back into a more conventional position for cornering.0 -
You need to bend you elbows more, that will give you a fairly straight angle betwen forearm and wrist, regardless of height or tilt. It'll flatten your back too of course, which isn't as comfortable as sitting more upright, which is why most cycling is done on the hoods, not the drops.
Yep see that. I guess it comes down to the same thing though - flat forearms with a depp drop = pretty unsustainable position for your back = use the hoods nearly all the time.
J0 -
twas the NCT yes.
I bumped into an old mate, pootled, sat up, enjoyed the view and the weather and thoroughly enjoyed what would have been a total beast had I tried to push myself and had a brilliant day on the bike. It was just far to nice to put my head down and hammer around, fantastic scenery and a well organised ride.
I do however need some new brake blocks now!"Impressive break"
"Thanks...
...I can taste blood"0 -
jedster wrote:Yep see that. I guess it comes down to the same thing though - flat forearms with a depp drop = pretty unsustainable position for your back = use the hoods nearly all the time.
Exactly
"nearly" isn't anywhere near enough to warrent dumping the drops though. When you do need to use them, you're always glad they are there.0
