dgodave

Thinking about future bikes... and my biggest question is: what kind of bars do I want?

People tout drop bars for their variety of hand / body positions. But I wonder, for day riding (not racing) on gravel, dirt roads, & pavement, how often do you really use the drops?

catgita

About 20% of the time. Given that I have about 5 main hand positions, that says I positioned them perfectly.
I use the drops in head winds, when trying to cover distance quickly, to change up the pressure points on my hands, the position of my arms and angle of my back. I use them less as I become tired because weight shifts off my feet and more on to my hands, so a more upright posture is better.

andr0id

Did a hilly 50 mile ride today from Dripping Springs to Wemberly and back. Was probably in the drops 30-40% of the time. I can't give an exact number because my Garmin does not track handlebar positions. I ride drops especially for downhills and flats and when I was pulling (which is often.)

dgodave

Maybe my image of 'the drops' is stuck from my road racing days? I hate that position these days.

But todays nonracing bike have the bars much higher / closer. So perhaps its not nearly so extreme.

Barrettscv 

I'm on the drops about 60%. I have FSA compact bars, so the drop position is easy to sustain. I like a larger frame with a moderately tall head-tube. This is the classic "French Fit" and it's comfortable, aerodynamic and provides stability.

StephenH

More like 5% of the time for me. I do know people that use them more- in some cases, slower people riding with faster people.

bikemig 

How would you know whether the people behind you are in the drops are not?

Spoonrobot 

I have shallow drop bars.

I really like the position for anything technical. Single track, steep off-chamber descents, muddy descents, etc. It seems like I have better control and a little better weight distribution in the drops. It's also helpful for climbing loose gravel/sand/mud since I can stay low and end up moving backward a little which feels less awkward than from the hoods. For a regular race/ride I probably use the drops 10-15% of the time just for technical areas or to switch positions to keep my hands and back comfortable. Inclement weather puts me into the drops more often but I rarely use it as the majority hand position. I'm a typical rider in the hoods first and foremost.

I can't really stand flat bars for anything longer than 3 hours or so. There are really only 1 or maybe 2 positions on a flat bar for me. I can get 4 out of my drops, really helps extend my comfortable riding time. This is especially important for the spring rides/races here as a week of rain can change a ride you expected to take 4 hours into a 7 hour slog.

dgodave

Do you think thats for brake lever access, or for the hand/body position?

79pmooney

A lot. 50% or more. Any bike I have has to be comfortable in the drops for hours. So if I have to go up wind for hours, I have the position for it. I use them on rough roads, gravel, downhill and just for fun. Any time I am in a sketchy situation, I go to the drops. There isn't a better place to be if you have to brake big time, corner hard, hit a bad pothole, get bumped or elbowed by the guy next to you, get brushed by or have to lean on a car, etc, etc.

Ben

dgodave

I wonder the same thing... is that because brake level response is best there?

Dave Cutter

Even if you never use the drops.... the traditional bullhorn drop bars still have lots of different hand placements. Just going from the hoods to the tops completely alters the sitting position on the bike.

Sometimes when I am trying to make distance is a short time.... like racing an incoming storm... I go for the drops to make myself more aerodynamic (faster). Or when it's windy out... I use the drops to make myself less of a wind-catcher. But honestly.... I rarely use the drops. But I sure would miss them if they weren't there when needed.

Supermau

I use my drops for descents and anytime I want maximum control. The real payoff is in long distance riding. Riding the hoods is a very natural hand position and when you do get tired you've still got a couple variations to work with. Flat bars just wear you out faster on long days.

i was apprehensive (and a bit uneducated) when buying a new bike last year. I wound up with a Trek FX 7.3 - flat bar road bike because coming from MTB I thought it made sense. As my mileage began to increase I realized I had the wrong bike and sold it within 6 months for a drop bar bike. Much happier now.

rm -rf

Ha, I was going to post something very similar. But I use the drops more like 20-30% of the time (it's a road bike).

Some years ago, when I got some shallow drops to replace the original bars, it was immediately obvious that they worked way better for me. Previously, I only used the drops on steep downhills or in strong headwinds. That seems to be typical of a lot of riders--drops weren't used much.

I have the drops set at a small downward angle, aimed a little above the back brakes. So my palms sit evenly on the drops and it's less and different pressure on my hands than I have on the hoods. Very comfortable.

And riding in the drops, I can feel my back stretching to take more of the load and less on my shoulder joints. Good on long rides.

dgodave

Good thoughts, people.

My gravel bike is currently set up with Nitto Albatross style bars, and I'm really liking it. OTOH, it is an early 90s mtb with a long low top tube, and drop bars on even the shortest stem would be awkward for me.

But I do like the idea of more hand positions.

Bike is here: https://www.bikeforums.net/recreation...eed-ocoee.html

FrenchFit 

Your CoG is lower, you are more equally weighting the front and back wheel, you locked in between the saddle and bars, you can get maximum pressure on the levers, ... fast stops don't result in an endo.

Sundog3478

I've got shallow drop bars too (on my road bike)- and for one really specific reason: Those were the bars that a pro fitter said would work for me when I first started rising. I tried to set the bike up myself - without spending the money on a dedicated fit - and that was a mistake. We changed my stem seat and bars that day - and the effects were darn near magical.

As for how much time I spend in the drops - who knows? A certain percentage of time in the drops is not one of my goals. I go there when I want a little less wind resistance - or to change things up on longer rides - and when I want maximum control.

I've never been a very flexible fellow - can't even come close to touching my toes. However - with a proper set up - it is easy for me to take advantage of all hand position options afforded on a bike equipped with drop bars.

jimincalif

Probably about 20% here. Downhills I can control my speed a bit by hand positions. When I have a good downhill run, I can increase my speed on the drops. Also when riding upwind with no one to draft, or when pulling on a group ride. And sometimes just to change my hands/arms/back/neck positioning a bit.

Spoonrobot 

For me it's both. I can put a little bit more weight on the front wheel by putting more weight on my hands for single track and I get better braking control than the hoods. It's also easier to move my weight back during descents since the drops are lower but quite a bit closer to the saddle than the hoods.

Skankingbiker

95% plus. I ride Midge bars and have the drops set as the main hand position. Only use the hoods when I need to sit up and stretch.

CBBaron

I have both bikes setup with the flats about the same level as my seat.
On my Crosscheck I have WTB DirtDrops and use the drops atleast 66% of the time.
On my Warbird I have the stock CowBells and use the drops atleast 50% of the time. The hoods are a little more comfortable on the CowBells and I find the drops a little less comfortable for my hands.
I just feel more secure riding in the drops plus I appreciate the slightly more aero position.

flargle

The bars that come on the bike.

If you are building something up, take a good look at Jones Loop H-bar.

FlashBazbo

I have a Salsa Cowchipper bar on my gravel bike and I use the drops probably 60% to 70% of the time. Always when riding against the wind. Almost always on descents of any steepness. (And I'm an old guy.) The offset in the drops of the Cowchipper makes it a lot more comfortable -- a lot less pressure on the nerves routed through the wrist.

jtbadge

This. Although I'm not an old guy, just an inflexible one.

sgtdirt

same thing... although i use the Gary II bar (similar type of flare). riding the hoods feels like i catch a lot of wind. for me, being on the drops is rather comfortable and easy on the body.