Drop bar angle

[billy1561]

Is there a recognised position for the angle of the drops on a road bike?

The reason i ask is i have had 2 identical bikes recently (one was a replacement) and the ride position appears different because of the drops on the second. I have adjusted them up slightly for comfort but cannot seem to find the sweet spot.

Thoughts?

 

[gaz]

Any chance of a side on picture?
Drop bars do have different angles and not every likes the same. But I'm guessing the shop just hasn't put the hood in the right place.

 

[HLaB]

I wouldn't take it as gospel (different bars/ people will vary this) but I read somewhere that a good starting point is to have the bottom flat bit of the drops parallel with the ground; it seems to work for me.

 

[billy1561]

Any chance of a side on picture?
Drop bars do have different angles and not every likes the same. But I'm guessing the shop just hasn't put the hood in the right place.

No idea how to upload a pic Gaz sorry. Only have the one and it appears the top of the hoods are inline with the stem if you follow what i mean? That was the comfy position which i have tried to replicate.

 

[gaz]

Where the bars curve from the straight stem section and goes towards the drop, that should be horizontal with the hood attached as an extension to that horizontal section.

There was a picture posted somewhere on the forums recently that showed how it should look but I'm on my phone ATM and can't find it

 

[brockers]

Where the bars curve from the straight stem section and goes towards the drop, that should be horizontal with the hood attached as an extension to that horizontal section.

It does depend on the shape of the bars. A lot of pro roadies use classic drop bars where there isn't really a flat section on the 'drop' part to speak of, but if you're on ergos or compacts, then something like this.

If you find you have to tilt the hoods and bars up and back like many seem to, then I'd suggest that you need a shorter a stem or a different frame.