Another daft question / drop bars

[Inthecup]

I've just recently purchased my first road bike. I've done around 20 odd miles on it mostly on the flat.

When should I be using the drop bars? I feel comfortable on the upright bars and never (yet) felt the need to drop. Is it more for uphill when tired and downhill to get you in a good "aerodynamic" position for speed?

 

[4F]

I've just recently purchased my first road bike. I've done around 20 odd miles on it mostly on the flat.

When should I be using the drop bars? I feel comfortable on the upright bars and never (yet) felt the need to drop. Is it more for uphill when tired and downhill to get in yo a good "aerodynamic" position for speed?

I rarely get on my drops. The only time I will is for a long downhill or when partaking in silly commuter racing

 

[Mo1959]

I've just recently purchased my first road bike. I've done around 20 odd miles on it mostly on the flat.

When should I be using the drop bars? I feel comfortable on the upright bars and never (yet) felt the need to drop. Is it more for uphill when tired and downhill to get in yo a good "aerodynamic" position for speed?

I've found the longer I have been using a road bike, the more I use the drops. Seems to lessen the wind resistance quite a bit, especially if you get a particularly nasty head wind. It does take a while to get used to using them though.

 

[ianrauk]

Some people with drop bar bikes don't use the drops.
Just use what is comfortable for you.

 

[Inthecup]

Some people with drop bar bikes don't use the drops.
Just use what is comfortable for you.

Coming from a mountain bike to a road bike nothing's comfortable !!!

 

[ianrauk]

Coming from a mountain bike to a road bike nothing's comfortable !!!

Then you are either 1: Not used to the bike 2: You need a bike fit.

 

[Davidc]

Good for getting air resistance down. Downhill, headwind etc.

Not much use for anything else.

iianrauk posts good sense (often does but not always!)

 

[HLaB]

I tuck into my drops when I want to get more aero: headwinds, sprints, TT's etc. 90% of my riding (maybe more) is done from the hoods, I believe thats the same for every cyclist; so if you are comfortable why change ;-)

 

[biggs682]

must admit i spend 80% of time on the hoods

 

[Profpointy]

I, a middle aged cycle commuter, spend 80% of my time on the drops.
I'm faster than 90%+ of the flat bar types, perhaps in the middle of the drop bar guys' speed range.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Hood mainly - drops sometimes when going down hill or when I think the brake levers need an especially meaty yank.

 

[mattobrien]

Slightly depends on distance and intensity. The shorter and faster I go, the more Lilly I am to be on the drops. If I am planning to go further then the hoods it is.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Either, just depends, I am on the drops more and more to be honest, I am not any quicker, but the different positions help.

 

[slowmotion]

90% on the hoods, 7% on the top and the rest on the drops. I need to practice more on the drops but I find it hard to get to the brakes and that makes me nervous, especially going down hills.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

90% on the hoods, 7% on the top and the rest on the drops. I need to practice more on the drops but I find it hard to get to the brakes and that makes me nervous, especially going down hills.

Ditto this, I have just moved the levers, further down, which has brought the levers closer to the bars, then tilted the bars back a little, so the hoods are comfy.