Time on the drops

[youngoldbloke]

it depends - on my bike I rarely use the drops. However, when observing Sportive riders that frequently use their drops, I tend to notice that this is usually the riders on bikes with extremely long head tubes, so although they are using the drops, this is ultimtaely becasue the handlebars are too high in general and the drops are not that low! IMO drops are for the Pros and the youngsters with good backs!

'Sportive' frames are designed that way, aren't they? Agree the vertical distance from saddle to top of bars, and depth of bars, are important factors. On my 'dry weather' bike this is 9cm, and on the 'winter bike' 6cm, both fairly compact bars.

 

[slowmotion]

I need my hands at the front of the drops for proper braking (can't get enough leverage from the hoods), so hands are there quite a lot in town and on downhills.

I'm completely the opposite. Even though I have quite large hands, I can't operate the brakes at all when on the drops.

 

[Richard1537]

I'd be on them quite often, I like to move about a bit and change position on the bike throughout a ride. I find when i'm on the flat I can stay on them quite well, stay down out of the wind and keep a good steady pace.

 

[Bryony]

Never used them so far, but would probably use them more if I didn,t have a belly in the way!!

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Rarely. Once in a Blue Moon. When the fires of hell freeze over etc etc.

Waste of time me having them really - I'd be just as happy with flats and bar ends.

Only times I have ever used them is when riding against strong headwinds.

 

[FeistySquirrel]

OK, so; after reading this thread, I went out for a spin in the wind and played on the drops... Think I'll start using them more

 

[Shut Up Legs]

100%

 

[JasonHolder]

Out of interest how much of your riding time do you spend on the drops? I hardly ever use them and ride almost always on the hoods.

80% on tops near stem. Pro
10% hoods
10% drops when descending or hauling ass and pulling everything I can out of the bike. Which hasn't been much at all. Will use hoods more now I'm starting climbing out of saddle hard but drops are a bit over powered right now-not needed

 

[Acesand8s]

Being 19 yet with 15,000 hours of cycling under my belt, i spend almost 50% down in the drops. My average is 3-7k/h faster doing so, and my back is strong and flexible. I spend about 30% on the flat part, which is the next most aero, and around 20% or so on the hoods. Keep in mind i only have one brake on the right side (front) and that plays a role in my preferences. I am riding a fixie right now, though on my road bikes i usually ride in the drops a lot. Keep in mind that i keep my elbows near-locked when doing so.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I'd be on them quite often, I like to move about a bit and change position on the bike throughout a ride. I find when i'm on the flat I can stay on them quite well, stay down out of the wind and keep a good steady pace.

This really, I changed the bars last year to shorter drop ones and immediately felt more confident the drop not being as deep. These days it really does depend on terrain and weather, but I guess 35-45% sometimes as high as 70-80% sometimes quite low I don't recall being on them much yesterday.
@Mo1959 you have to up your way, what with the topography generally funnelling the wind.

 

[Keith Oates]

I use them when going into the wind on most occasions but on the hoods is the position I use the most!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!