Converting to drop bars....

[Over The Hill]

Yes just stick with it.

My bike is a bit leaning towards racing and was a bit twitchy but you just get used to it. Problem is you dont expect it on a chunky bike but you just get to read the bikes ways.

Re above getting comfortable; My bike is slightly big for me and so I twisted the drop bars up a bit so they are about 20 degrees off flat. This gives a really comfortable bar that you can hold much lighter as your hands do not tend to slip along it as with a flat bar. Gears and brakes are easier on the hoods. Not so good on the drops but still usable when you need to get down low.

 

[just4fun]

Thank you all for the feedback, adjusting the high/angle of the bars had not occoured to me. When i finish my night shifts and get a good days weather, i'll go out for another test ride as the LBS seem to want me to get the right bike for me.

 

[Randochap]

You can't just tell someone to "stick with it" without knowing if their issue is just unfamiliarity with drops or an actual fit issue as well.

There are shops who whether due to inexperienced staff or incuriousness allow customers to leave their premises with ill-fitting and/or unfitted bikes.

Every sale should come with a fitting session and time should be spent setting up the bike, even exchanging stem, seatpost, etc. if that's what is needed. If a shop doesn't advise and isn't willing to perform these vital services, walk away.

Finally, someone on the internet, with no knowledge of your physiological peculiarities, specific sizing requirements based on use (distances, terrain, etc.) can not offer any solid advice. And to ask someone to endure discomfort is no help at all. It may lead to injury.

Better to listen to your own body than internet echoes.

 

[colinr]

Should the saddle height be different to flats when riding drops? I've been on them for all of two days now and it feels a bit strange, probably because it's unusual for me. The saddle is spot on for using the top part of the bars, but feels like it could be a bit higher when my hands are in reach of the brakes (is that the hoods?).

 

[Randochap]

Should the saddle height be different to flats when riding drops?

Correct saddle height is correct saddle height.

 

[just4fun]

just for some feedback to my OP. waking up early this afternoon after yesterdays nightshift with a bad case of want-a-new-bikeitis off to the LBs i went and i tried out a diferent drop bar bike that i felt so much more confident on. no twitchiness at all and the problem i had with breaking was also gone. I've been informed that the stem is much shorter on this bike ( maybe i was over stretched when i tried out the first bike?). would this effect my balance in a negative way?

 

[peanut]

I was just wondering how long it took you to feel comfortable and confident on your first drop bar bike. Both in terms of handling and breaking.

I think it is important to keep in mind that most of the time you will be riding with your hands on the brake hoods ie the bar tops. This is the same height as your straight bars.

All the modern STI /Ergo type road bike gear/brake levers are carefully designed to be ergonomic for resting your hands on.

If you watch the pro riders.. say on the current Tour of Turkey, you will see that they ride predominantly on the hoods all day even at 30mph + the only time most use the drops is in sprinting.

I have ridden road bikes for 25 years and have never actually used the drops only the hoods and top of the bars.

 

[Dave5N]

I've always ridden drops. I'm the other way round, I just can't get on with flat bars and their pathetic range of hand positions.

Yep. Though I find so many bikes seem to have the levers set far too high, making it harder to brake on the drops.