Riding on the drops

[jimboalee]

Bonj2 is a troll



I think you should watch some pro riders when they ride in the peleton all day for hours. You'll not see many in the drops. Obviously you don't ride with any clubs or other riders to have noticed you are the only one riding in the drops

people with closed minds and a one track blinkered view of things can't face the possibility they may be wrong or that there may be an alternative . :?:

With you Bonj I know you well enough to know that you are one of the worst trolls on CC and a right royal pain in the ass so once again I have been succered into to replying to your silly baiting

To reinforce what Peanut has said.

In the middle of the peleton, there is much reduced wind resistance. Occasionally, there is sufficient draft to get 'sucked' along by the other riders. In these circumstances, making your upper body more akin to a sail is desirable.
You may see riders in the peleton steering with one finger ( or less ).

Riding on the drops reduces frontal area. It is uncomfortable at first but you soon get used to the position.
Leisure riders should get some practice at it because when there is a stiff headwind, going to the drops makes a recognisable difference.
So much so that when you sit up and go back to the hoods, it feels like you've released a parachute.

 

[GrasB]

Riding on the drops reduces frontal area. It is uncomfortable at first but you soon get used to the position.
Leisure riders should get some practice at it because when there is a stiff headwind, going to the drops makes a recognisable difference.
So much so that when you sit up and go back to the hoods, it feels like you've released a parachute.

Amen brother! The only time I miss drops on my bikes is when I'm slogging along to a stiff headwind, I have to really tuck in my arms & it's not a natural position for longer periods. But like everything it's a compromise & mine is to abandon drop bars (& flat bars) for bull bars for various reasons.

 

[peanut]

Amen bother! The only time I miss drops on my bikes is when I'm slogging along to a stiff headwind, I have to really tuck in my arms & it's not a natural position for longer periods. But like everything it's a compromise & mine is to abandon drop bars (& flat bars) for bull bars for various reasons.

I've yet to try bull bars . I am looking forward to trying some on my TT bike I hope to build for my first TT next April. Are they comfortable ?

I am able to tuck down into the same position on the hoods as I can achieve in the drops. Shaun Yates used to do the same thing .Rarely saw him in the drops but god he had long arms didn't he !

 

[GrasB]

I've yet to try bull bars . I am looking forward to trying some on my TT bike I hope to build for my first TT next April. Are they comfortable ?

Bulls are the only thing I can feel truly comfortable on, I have them on all 3 bikes including a HT MTB. I get some odd looks with road bike shifter/brake levers & bulls.

 

[peanut]

Bulls are the only thing I can feel truly comfortable on, I have them on all 3 bikes including a HT MTB. I get some odd looks with road bike shifter/brake levers & bulls.

have you got a pic of your road bike setup ? what shifters are you using ?

 

[GrasB]

On the road fixie I'm using SRAM TT 900 brake levers. The geared bikes are a little oddball but they work for me, both bikes have Cane Creek Drop V brake levers combined with Dura Ace (MTB) & Campag Record bar end shifters (Road).

 

[Davidc]

when there is a stiff headwind, going to the drops makes a recognisable difference.
So much so that when you sit up and go back to the hoods, it feels like you've released a parachute.

That's absolutely right, but more riders could also benefit from using the drops when riding steeply uphill as well.

 

[jimboalee]

Another occasion where 'riding on the drops' is preferable is on the track.

Track bikes dont have hoods. Mine only had handlebar ribbon on the drops from about half way round the bend.

Some riders 'bottled out' when it came to standing up while holding the bars by the straight bit of the drops.

It is something every cyclist should do at least once.

 

[Dave5N]

You are right on both counts Jimbo. On the track you should be on the drops for control.

Peanut, I have Sora levers on one of my bikes. That's how I know it's pretty hard to change gear from the drops using the silly little black button.

 

[jimboalee]

You are right on both counts Jimbo. On the track you should be on the drops for control.

Peanut, I have Sora levers on one of my bikes. That's how I know it's pretty hard to change gear from the drops using the silly little black button.

Sora has never been on my shopping list. Nor have any other levers with a "silly little black buton".

Instead of struggling to get a thumb to the "silly little black buton", I can change both ways with an outstretched index and middle finger.

 

[De Sisti]

I disagree. IMO it's much easier to climb steep hills when hands are rested on the
hoods.

 

[peanut]

You are right on both counts Jimbo. On the track you should be on the drops for control.

Peanut, I have Sora levers on one of my bikes. That's how I know it's pretty hard to change gear from the drops using the silly little black button.

Yeah me too . I have 9 speed on my winter hack upgraded from 8 speed sora. I quite like using it cos I only ride in the hoods.
My top half weighs over 11 stones which is a lot of weight to put into the drops.


Sora are bottom of the range lever set, intended primarily for use by novice riders who would not be expected to use the drops . They are designed to be used from the hoods .

I have 105 10xspeed on my summer bike . Its like getting into an automatic after driving a manual. You have to make a quick mental adjustment.