Road Cycling - Getting more comfortable in the drops

The problem is not that I'm having trouble getting more comfortable in the drops. The problem is that I seem to be getting more comfortable in the drops. Lately, I've been finding myself more and more comfortable for longer times while in the drops. People used to tell me that one shouldn't/doesn't spend too long down there so although I occasionally switch into the position from time to time, I've tried to not stay there for much longer than a few minutes. I know the old saying of "if it feels good then do it" but are there any real detriments to getting in and staying in the drops for extended periods of time? My seat-to-bar vertical distance isn't excessive (2-1/2" drop) and I've even raised my saddle lately. Could my bike be set up wrong? I find that my avg speed increases and can be maintained for longer when I'm in the drops. And sometimes when I'm feeling fatigued, getting down there actually revives me a little.

You could end up with a very stiff back riding in the drops for extended periods of time.This could hurt your ability to stand up quickly for a sprint or a short climb.

But hey if you can get away with it GO FOR IT.:)

Would extending my time in the drops to 15 to 20 minutes be advisable or is that too long? I'm currently able to stay in there for ten minutes with no problems... especially if the terrain is rather flat.

I don't have a problem staying in the drops for extended periods of time and often ride there to become more aero or just change my position up. I have never noticed anything adverse happening to me because of my riding in the drops and have yet to end up with a stiff back, with the exception of my first couple road rides, which is to be expected.

As far as hurting the ability to stand up quickly for sprints or climbs ... I am always in the drops to sprint and nearly always in the drops to attack short climbs. You can stand while in the drops and I often do. I say that if you're comfortable with it, then go for it ... but don't deprive yourself of getting used to other positions as well because they are all helpful on long rides.

You might want to get a copy of the 1997 Ardennes Classics, Fleche Wallone and Liege-Bastogne-Liege. You will see an almost technically flawless cyclist, Laurent Jalabert ride, oh, maybe 200-260 km almost entirely on the drops, then outsprint Luc LeBlanc for victory in Fleche. There are few riders with technique as good as Jalabert. Notice carefully things like his arm extension with a flat back, lack of upper body movement, etc....

I doubt I'd be able to attain the form of Jaja but it's good to know it can be done.

Originally posted by don d.
You might want to get a copy of the 1997 Ardennes Classics, Fleche Wallone and Liege-Bastogne-Liege. You will see an almost technically flawless cyclist, Laurent Jalabert ride, oh, maybe 200-260 km almost entirely on the drops, then outsprint Luc LeBlanc for victory in Fleche. There are few riders with technique as good as Jalabert. Notice carefully things like his arm extension with a flat back, lack of upper body movement, etc.... In skiing I spend a huge amount of time on form. Does anyone in cycling have a model for how to learn or teach good form? It would have to involve defining good form, identifying individuals who can identify good form, identifying a technique to analyze a cycliist's movements, and then suggest drills, exercises or othe techniques to move toward good form.

Form would obviously involve a few things: Position on the bike, especially under varied conditions, control of the bike (downhill, upill, cornering, rough pavement and wet conditions), climbing, and not the least, pedaling.

This has and can be done. All you really need to do is start researching the biomechanical end of the sport and you'll come up with plenty of info. For example, from a purely biomechanical perspective, your body, legs, etc..., are a sophisticated combination of levers. Certain Laws of Physics apply to levers and the efficient application of loads to those levers. In Ed Burke's "Serious Cycling", the use of a goniometer is discussed in setting the angle between the femur and the tibia for maximum pedaling efficiency. Ed has also researched and written on numerous other aspects of correct "form" on the bike.

This is only one source for info like this. Video taping with sensors attached to key points of the body, then downloading to computer programs for readable graphs is also done although I can't refer you to info on that off the top of my head.

Many of the "formulas" that are available for saddle height, frame sizing, stem sizing, crank length, etc... are actually the results of years of research into the biomechanics of cycling.

Cycling is a "form" sport in that a disciplined focus on form can increase efficiency and output. That is why the advice to just "do what feels good" is really not applicable unless your primary goal is frivolous fun, (and there is certainly nothing wrong with that). Correct form doesn't always feel right, especially at first when muscles have to be trained to do what we want them to do.