Question 2: Where to put my paws...

[punkypossum]

So, with the arrival of first grown up bike on the horizon and the trying out stage being entered, I have come across another query (probably worth the numpty question of the month award).

Being a total newbie to roadbikes and dropped handlebars, where do you actually keep your hands most of the time? I.e. would the brake hoods be the standard place most of the time? Do you only put them on the tops to sit up more upright and on the drops for going faster into a headwind, etc? Need to find out, because I need to know what the standard position is, so I can work out which size I need once I know how I'm going to sit most of the time...

Sorry if this is a really stupid question!!!

 

[Landslide]

Personally, I spend most of my time on the hoods. Drops are used for headwinds or swooping downhill , on the tops for steady climbing in the saddle or for a more upright position. Not sure there's any one right answer though.

 

[Crackle]

Casual riding:

90% of the time hoods
Drops for downhill, headwind, trying to go fast
Bar flats for honking uphill or diddling along admiring the view

 

[HLaB]

Personally, I spend most of my time on the hoods. Drops are used for headwinds or swooping downhill , on the tops for steady climbing in the saddle or for a more upright position. Not sure there's any one right answer though.

I'm quite similar. I don't know if it makes a difference but the dropped bars on my sirrus are 40cm whereas on my bianchi they're 42cm and I thing I'm more likely to swap more frequently between the hoods/ drops/ tops on the Sirrus.

 

[John the Monkey]

Drops 90% of the time for me. Comes from riding an older bike wher the braking from the hoods was a bit indifferent, to say the least. I do use the hoods more on longer rides, more for the change of position than anything else.

Edit: I don't think there's any "right" answer really. Ride the bike, and do what feels best.

 

[tyred]

I would say whatever is most comfortable for the individual. There is no right or wrong way.

 

[Tynan]

almost always drops for me although I took some time to feel comfy there

now and then hoods if I'm noodling or climbing

the tops always feel too risky for me, in London anyway

it's no biggie really, you do what you want at the time

 

[mickle]

You need to be able to reach the drops and stay there comfortably, every other postion will follow.

 

[beanzontoast]

Almost all the time on the drops for me. A-e-r-o-d-y-n-a-m-i-c.

And easier to reach the brakes!

 

[Paulus]

I ride 90% of the time on the hoods, some of the time on the tops of the bars and only swooping down hills on the drops. It is up to the individual how you ride and how comfortable you feel.

 

[snorri]

where do you actually keep your hands most of the time?

You will soon reach a stage of accomplishment which will allow you to keep them in your pockets.

 

[fossyant]

Depends upon the bike and it's set up - I can ride just as aero on the hoods as when in the drops - long reach (read monkey arms).

Drops for descending mainly. I can brake just as hard on the hoods or drops, so this might limit you in traffic at first until you develop your muscles.....drops is usually easier to brake.

 

[on the road]

You will know once you start riding, there is no straight answer. Sometimes I spend most of the ride on the hoods, and at other times I spend most of the ride on the drops.

 

[Dave5N]

I might be a bit old-fashioned, but IMO the bike should be set up to ride on the drops. That's the default position and gives more control.

That's how I do it.


(Then I noodle along holding the hoods half the time. )

 

[Dave5N]

Oh, and somebody already said, use the tops for climbing, but keep your elbows out to open your chest.