95% of the time I ride on the top (no jokes please) but when I move hands to the drops it just doesn't feel right. If I grip the curves (again no jokes) braking feels awkward and if I move hands down to the bottom flats I feel my hands are comming off the ends of the bars, they feel a bit short? Are there different profiles, lengths etc any suggestions
Riding on the drops
- Thread starter fudgedog
- Start date
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You can get different profiles, lengths, widths etc.
Having only last week bought my first road bike in over 30 years, I was surprised how far up the brake levers are. Very comfortable and accessible when riding on the hoods but a stretch to reach, to brake or change gear, when on the drops.
Having only last week bought my first road bike in over 30 years, I was surprised how far up the brake levers are. Very comfortable and accessible when riding on the hoods but a stretch to reach, to brake or change gear, when on the drops.
try changing the saddle position.
The drops don't feel right with the saddle too low.
For me the drops is often the most comfortable position, though the hoods are comfortable as well.
Road bike brake levers (like STIs) are designed to be used from the drops - it may be that you have set them up to the ideal position when using the hoods, when you actually want to set them up so that they are a compromise between how good they are from the hoods and how good they are from the drops.
The first experience i had of riding a bike with drop bars (properly as an adult) was from doing the conversion from flat bars myself. I put the STIs on and positioned them as i would want to use them from the hoods, but then tried riding on the drops, and thought "oh! the brake levers are too high up!" and knew instantly that i had to change them, an (initially unintuitive but not at all bad in the long term) consequence of which was that the 'hoods' position was more stretched out than what it would have been if i'd never intended to ride on drops.
Also, dont' want to tech any grandmothers to suck eggs but make sure they are the same height and position on the bars as each other. You'd be surprised how many cyclists ride along on bikes that aren't.
I also have ergo bars, i.e. with a flat section. The flat section is at 45 degrees to the ground, and the actual brake levers themselves are vertical.
Personally I can't stand handlebars that are curved all the way. Your hand isn't curved backwards, so why are the bars...?
The drops position gives the most control of the bike and the best control of the brake levers. coming down hardknott pass earlier this year, 1 in 3, hairpin bends in thepissing rain, very difficult descent, so going very slowly, under 10mph - drops all the way. descending kirkstone pass - much faster, sweeping bends - again, drops. Can only do active countersteering from the drops (and even then not all the time).
A lot of flat riding I do on the drops, which i never used to. I find them comfy for just cruising along on.
Used to find them awkward-feeling, like my torso was scrunched up. Played around with the saddle position and found that with the saddle higher the chest cavity was open more. Use them all the time now.
The drops don't feel right with the saddle too low.
For me the drops is often the most comfortable position, though the hoods are comfortable as well.
Road bike brake levers (like STIs) are designed to be used from the drops - it may be that you have set them up to the ideal position when using the hoods, when you actually want to set them up so that they are a compromise between how good they are from the hoods and how good they are from the drops.
The first experience i had of riding a bike with drop bars (properly as an adult) was from doing the conversion from flat bars myself. I put the STIs on and positioned them as i would want to use them from the hoods, but then tried riding on the drops, and thought "oh! the brake levers are too high up!" and knew instantly that i had to change them, an (initially unintuitive but not at all bad in the long term) consequence of which was that the 'hoods' position was more stretched out than what it would have been if i'd never intended to ride on drops.
Also, dont' want to tech any grandmothers to suck eggs but make sure they are the same height and position on the bars as each other. You'd be surprised how many cyclists ride along on bikes that aren't.
I also have ergo bars, i.e. with a flat section. The flat section is at 45 degrees to the ground, and the actual brake levers themselves are vertical.
Personally I can't stand handlebars that are curved all the way. Your hand isn't curved backwards, so why are the bars...?
The drops position gives the most control of the bike and the best control of the brake levers. coming down hardknott pass earlier this year, 1 in 3, hairpin bends in thepissing rain, very difficult descent, so going very slowly, under 10mph - drops all the way. descending kirkstone pass - much faster, sweeping bends - again, drops. Can only do active countersteering from the drops (and even then not all the time).
A lot of flat riding I do on the drops, which i never used to. I find them comfy for just cruising along on.
Used to find them awkward-feeling, like my torso was scrunched up. Played around with the saddle position and found that with the saddle higher the chest cavity was open more. Use them all the time now.
Gerry Attrick
Lincolnshire Mountain Rescue Consultant
You could try a pair of the relatively new shaped compact designs such as FSA produce, Omega for instance. They have a shallower drop and a longer horizontal grip section which feel very comfortable and secure.
e.g. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/FSA_Omega_Alloy_Compact_Handlebar/5360036373/
e.g. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/FSA_Omega_Alloy_Compact_Handlebar/5360036373/
Many riders (of the casual type) rarely ride on the drops. I'd put myself in that category. It's also not uncommon for riders not to be able to brake effectively from the drops; either because they cannot reach or the angle is wrong. Why, just today, I witnessed my clubmate (a rider of many many years) come off the drops to brake from the hoods.
I'd disagree with changing your saddle position to suit riding on the drops. The saddle's position is primarily about comfort (again, for the casual cyclist). Changing that can introduce a whole host of other problems! If you have problems with the bar position, or braking, then address those directly either by finding more suitably shaped/sized bars or adjusting lever positions.
I'd disagree with changing your saddle position to suit riding on the drops. The saddle's position is primarily about comfort (again, for the casual cyclist). Changing that can introduce a whole host of other problems! If you have problems with the bar position, or braking, then address those directly either by finding more suitably shaped/sized bars or adjusting lever positions.
yello said:
I couldn't agree more. Once your saddle position is right you shouldn't need to change it to improve another deficient aspect of your position on the the bike.
Some riders have very fixed ideas about how a bike should be ridden and what components should be fitted.
I would also recommend you try both the drops and the brake hoods adjust the stem height and length as necessary and make your own mind up about which suits your type of riding
swee'pea99
Squire
I use the drops at least half a dozen times a year - anytime I'm battling into a really tough headwind. Other than that, sitting on the hoods feels sweet to me...
Fab Foodie
hanging-on in quiet desperation ...
- Location
- Kirton, Devon.
Gerry Attrick said:
Agreed.
Changed to these bars this summer and they're way better than my previous pistol-grip bars. The Omegas are slightly shorter forward reach so you may feel a longer stem's required.
Dave5N
Über Member
- Location
- Outside The Little Nibble
If you can't ride the drops and you are reasonably flexible, I reckon you have the bike set up wrong.
Some people can'tget the pelvis to rotate and have to bend their back, which is no good at all. If you don't use the drops, get rid. Fit a flat bar.
Some people can'tget the pelvis to rotate and have to bend their back, which is no good at all. If you don't use the drops, get rid. Fit a flat bar.
Dave5N
Über Member
- Location
- Outside The Little Nibble
Smoe dodgy advice here. You certainly don't change the saddle position to suit the bars/stem position. Quite the reverse.
The drops for a fit flexible rider should be the default position.
If you have the levers too high you will find it hard to brake: that said, many riders have the seat wrong so then can't crook the elbow into the drop.
For a lesson in set-up the Track world cup today was a masterclass.
The drops for a fit flexible rider should be the default position.
If you have the levers too high you will find it hard to brake: that said, many riders have the seat wrong so then can't crook the elbow into the drop.
For a lesson in set-up the Track world cup today was a masterclass.
Fab Foodie
hanging-on in quiet desperation ...
- Location
- Kirton, Devon.
Dave5N said:
Absolutely right. So many get this wrong.
Good set-up advice here...
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm
