Road Cycling - Two quick questions

I’ll steal a newbie question away from Ross for a minute:p

Two questions actually. First, is regarding bib shorts. What exactly is the benefit of having the straps or whatever. I’ve been using standard shorts, but a few locals rave about how much they like bib shorts.

The second question is regarding hand positioning. On longer rides when I want to switch around hand positions but still retain the ability to shift (Sora equipped bike) I grip the hoods in a fashion similar to the front guy here but bent down a little bit more:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2003/aug03/morristown/dsc07111.jpg

It feels a bit more aerodynamic than if I was normally just riding in the hoods, but I can’t really tell if my positioning is better than if I was in the drops. I haven’t seen too many other riders in this position, so I’m wondering if there is something incorrect or wrong with it.

To me it looks like the upper position looks more comfortable, considering 4 out of the 5 cyclists in your picture you posted are utilizing it. As for the shorts I have no idea.

I find that getting into the drops while in a draft causes me to keep creeping up to the guy in front. I would think it'd be better for the front guy to get into the drops. However, when I'm pulling, I try stay on the hoods as I'm already a small guy and getting into the drops would limit my usefulness at being up front. Maybe I've just never learned proper pacelining?

I didn't even think about that. If you are the lead and purposly creating a draft, up higher is going to be better. You are creating a larger wall out of yourself thus moving more air out of the drafters way.

Lead cyclist do not try to make a bigger "wall". They need to go as fast as they can, so need to be aerodynamically efficient. They create plenty enough draft even in an aero position to make life easy for a drafter.

As far as Bibs go.. if you are like me and have a (tad bit of a tummy):D the bibs dont roll down like shorts do sometimes.

On a 30 mile ride,i've been in the drops,none.Hardly ever go there.Almost always on hoods and tops of bars.

Originally posted by lamajo25
To me it looks like the upper position looks more comfortable, considering 4 out of the 5 cyclists in your picture you posted are utilizing it. As for the shorts I have no idea.

no i don't think you get his question.... the guy in the front is actually grabbing onto the FRONT little "horn" on the shifter/brake lever, not on the rubber hoods.

and yes, i do this too from time to time... i think the reach on my stem is too short.

I've spent most of my time in the position that the third guy is in.

I don't understand how the pros use the drops while climbing. It's surprising how often they'll use the drops when climbing these really steep and long climbs.

Pros vs us,thats how.

Originally posted by Laggard
I've spent most of my time in the position that the third guy is in.

I don't understand how the pros use the drops while climbing. It's surprising how often they'll use the drops when climbing these really steep and long climbs.

Thanks for the input everyone. I actually use the drops while climbing as well. My hands are relatively small and gripping the hoods can be a bit of a problem when my hands are sweaty (no gloves).

After you fall will be to late to think about using gloves.

I have them but they’re just incredibley uncomfortable.

Originally posted by BigFloppyLlama
I have them but they’re just incredibley uncomfortable.
Lots of different kinds.A little,little more and a lot of padding,different fits.Go try some on.

Originally posted by shokhead
Lots of different kinds.A little,little more and a lot of padding,different fits.Go try some on.

What shokhead said. Gloves should... well... fit... like a glove. :)

I've changed out my bars on my bike to Syntace Bullhorns that sweep back and angle down 15 degrees. I have their aerobars as well. I'm more involved in training for tialthlons, but still like to ride just ride and find my setup to be so damn comfortable. I've noticed and I've heard on the board that few people even use the drops of if they do, they don't do it for long. Most seem to ride on the hoods which is the same position as a bullhorn bar anyway. Why not just swap out your bars to more of a tri setup? Is that just blashpeme?

I'm not a big fan of using the hoods. I don't have the stomach muscles yet to hold that position for long. It DOES offer better aerodynamics, but I find it's hardest position for to spin in (my cadence always drops off when I grab the hoods). I usually ride on the tops and then hit the hoods on a downhill, into a headwind, or when I want to speed up a bit. I practice the hoods about a minute a day so I can use them effectively one day...

Putting your hands on the front of the hoods puts the pressure on a different part of the hand than the regular hoods position, which will help to maintain blood circulation to all parts of the hands.