Riding on drops

[Pumpkin the robot]

I have decided to take training a little more serious this year, rather than just doing the miles, I have started doing a bit of interval training and riding on the drops rather than the hoods. I feel that when I am on the drops I cant create as much power as an the hoods, it generally about 1 gear lower. Is it in my head or is there a scientific reason for this? I can feel I am further back on the saddle when I am on the drops, so is it a torque issue?

 

[black'n'yellow]

Just ride in the position that gives you the most power - although it does sound like you have a bike fit problem.

 

[jazzkat]

I used to have the exact opposite problem until I had a bike fit. My bike was too small but a longer stem sorted it. Maybe you need a shorter stem?

 

[screenman]

Let us have a side picture of you on the drops, but I would suggest it is either a flexibility issue or bike fit. Can you touch your toes easily?

 

[GrasB]

You will be using your muscles in different proportions & in different timings, especially if you've got deep drops. It may be that you've not developed the correct synchronisation in your muscles yet.

 

[pauldavid]

Let us have a side picture of you on the drops, but I would suggest it is either a flexibility issue or bike fit. Can you touch your toes easily?

Is it best to try and touch your toes one foot at a time? And is it best to freewheel or should I be able to touch them constantly whilst pedalling?

Just wanting to clarify because I'm worried I'll fall off when I test this on the commute in a while!

 

[Rob3rt]

Consider this, when you reach down to the drops, you are going to be closing your hip angle, it is well known that closing the hip angle reduces your ability to put out power. The question is, do the aero benefits outweigh the drop in power or not? It should do, otherwise your fit is not optimal.

Then again there is the aspect of getting used to it and your flexability. With increased flexability you should re-evaluate the above.

 

[pauldavid]

Is it best to try and touch your toes one foot at a time? And is it best to freewheel or should I be able to touch them constantly whilst pedalling?

Just wanting to clarify because I'm worried I'll fall off when I test this on the commute in a while!

I fell off, should I get a professional bike fit or a smaller frame so that I'm closer to my toes?

 

[black'n'yellow]

I fell off, should I get a professional bike fit or a smaller frame so that I'm closer to my toes?

nice try, but I don't think anyone saw the gag last time...

 

[tyred]

I found it took time and practice to ride efficiently for any length of time on the drops.

Check that your saddle isn't too far forward.

 

[pauldavid]

nice try, but I don't think anyone saw the gag last time...

Sorry, I apologise for having a lighthearted view of the world.

Please remember people keep it business like, a forum based around your hobby is not the place to be having fun!

 

[black'n'yellow]

Sorry, I apologise for having a lighthearted view of the world.

Please remember people keep it business like, a forum based around your hobby is not the place to be having fun!

have you tried the 'torque wrench' thread? - that one's got significant 'joviality' potential...

 

[GrasB]

Consider this, when you reach down to the drops, you are going to be closing your hip angle, it is well known that closing the hip angle reduces your ability to put out power. The question is, do the aero benefits outweigh the drop in power or not? It should do, otherwise your fit is not optimal.

You will develop maximum power within a fairly narrow range of hip angle. Some of this is basic anatomical limits, other is more to do with rider flexibility & yet more is training. If you've not been training with a closed hip angle it's not going to work.

On recumbents you have to train into your seat/bottom bracket angle. It's actually impossible to duplicate the seating position across all of my 'bents. This means I have a 2 or 3 day adaptation period between certain bikes & is a reason I'll be replacing one of my 'bents.

 

[montage]

Get a bike fit and ride more - the more you ride, the more you will find out about yourself and how you fit to the bike. Sliding forward on the saddle should open up that hip angle and allow more power, give that a try

 

[e-rider]

Get a bike fit and ride more - the more you ride, the more you will find out about yourself and how you fit to the bike. Sliding forward on the saddle should open up that hip angle and allow more power, give that a try

+1
also you might have the saddle back too far, especially if you have short femurs and poor flexibility.

Is your handlebar stem long enough too?

You also need to train more in this new riding position