Tips for first time on drops

[Jim_Noir]

Never really riden with drops, aprt fro a kid I used to get a go on a mates... but that was a long time ago!
I spent a good few hours yesterday watching stuff on you tupe about setting it up, so all feels right... just now need s advice/tips on getting used to them.

 

[Steve H]

If you are feeling nervous, then try and find a nice quiet piece of road away from traffic. Go gently at first and on the flat. Two main positions are "on the hoods". This is where your hands are on top of the brake leavers and behind them. You should be able to reach to brake and change gear. Practice changing up and down and braking. Then try "on the drops" with your hands on the vertical bits of the drops. Again you should be able to brake and change gear. You will find you can brake with more power from here so good for steep descents where you may need to apply more force than on the hoods

These are not the only places you can put your hands. Try all over. The best thing about this is you can keep changing positions and this reduces aches and pains. When climbing I quite often just put my hands on the nearest bit of straight bar. You have to remember you Can't reach the brakes from here, but I'm generally going that slow when climbing that the brakes aren't needed!

 

[Rob3rt]

You can think about this all day and all night. But 10 mins doing is more likely better than 10 hours reading and thinking. In other words, there is something good to be said for just getting on with it.Getting used to it is the only way forward, the academics won't get you far, so take your bike somewhere quiet if need be and ride it.

 

[Jim_Noir]

Cheers guys. I was thinking of the first outing at bellahouston velodrome till I get used to them, to be honest I'm more worried about going back on the road after being rear ended than the drops!

 

[HLaB]

I don't know if its been said Jim but relax; 90% (or more) of riders ride the majority of the time on the hoods which isn't much different from riding a flat bar; in your own good time you will feel you naturally want to transfer to the drops (downhills, strong headwinds etc) it'll come in its own good time don't rush it.

Edit: and good luck on your comeback :-)

 

[Jim_Noir]

Cheers HLaB I hope to get back out soon... Doing a ride from Glasgow to Whitby at the End of March and don't want to chuck the towel in... DId want to do it on my sirrus but doubt I'll have that replaced by then!

 

[HLaB]

Owning a sirrus, Id say, it'd be up for the job but you'll find it a lot easier on the drops; I ended up converting my sirrus to drops too :-)

 

[Jim_Noir]

I am thinking about getting the LBS to do this with the replacment Sirrus as I have to say it's an outstanding bike to commute with.

 

[gbb]

Have a look at how your bars are angled Jim. I never used the drops, although i'm quite happy to do so, just never felt the need. Accordingly i had my bars slightly tilted back to bring the levers toward me, more comfortble. But this meant the bottom of the drops were pointing slightly downwards, hardly ideal if you are on the drops. It cranks your wrists if the tips of the drops are slightly pointing down.
Ive since tilted the bars forward (to a more usual position) so i can get on the drops as i (moderatley rarely) feel neccessary.

The position of your bars is probably ok Jim, but just worth checking.

One benefit of being on the drops...against the wind, i can get down and my speed will increase by about 1 mph. Doesnt sound much, but you're having to put no extra effort in to achieve that.

 

[Guiddy]

I was in the same situation as yourself, after years of mountain biking I feared drops terribly.
Then as soon as I picked up my Specialized Allez I couldn't wait to get out on the thing and after 10 mins was flat out and not thinking about it!
A little unsteady passing between cars and when turning my head to look backwards but otherwise I don't give it a second thought!

I agree with the idea that 10 mins on it will be worth more than 10 hours reading about it!

 

[iAmiAdam]

Don't even think about it, it's no big deal at all.

 

[ttcycle]

Alright Jim! Welcome back - long time no see.

Just my tuppences worth - it will feel more twitchy to begin with but it's a case of that twitchiness being utilised to being responsive. Get on and see how you go! Have fun!

 

[John the Monkey]

Just my tuppences worth - it will feel more twitchy to begin with but it's a case of that twitchiness being utilised to being responsive. Get on and see how you go! Have fun!

Depends on the bike really - my SCR is a bit like that, whereas the LHT is rather more sedate - both are drop bar bikes, but geometry, stem length &c all give them both a different "feel" on the road.