Grabbing top of hoods
06-28-09, 06:37 PM
#1
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Grabbing top of hoods
Does anyone spend any time grabbing the tops of the hoods?
As I do more climbing, about 6-8k vertical feet per week, I've found that I spend about 90% of my climbing time gripping the tops of the hoods like old Atari joysticks. I don't feel as comfortable right behind the hoods, and my arms actually ache when I try to hold the top of the bar. When I'm on the flats it's business as usual with most of my time behind the hoods or the top of the bar. And I descend mostly in the drops.
Should I reevaluate my stem length?
As I do more climbing, about 6-8k vertical feet per week, I've found that I spend about 90% of my climbing time gripping the tops of the hoods like old Atari joysticks. I don't feel as comfortable right behind the hoods, and my arms actually ache when I try to hold the top of the bar. When I'm on the flats it's business as usual with most of my time behind the hoods or the top of the bar. And I descend mostly in the drops.
Should I reevaluate my stem length?
06-28-09, 06:45 PM
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too bad it only works on 10sp shimano shifters.
I don't grab the top of the hoods. I'm already stretched out plenty with my setup.
any more and it'll be a medieval stretching rack
I don't grab the top of the hoods. I'm already stretched out plenty with my setup.
any more and it'll be a medieval stretching rack
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06-28-09, 09:29 PM
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Somtimes I will grab the tops of the hoods, in the middle of my palm so my finger come over the top, and I can put my forearms on the bars like a TT position kind of. But only for slow ascentes as I dont want my hands comin off the top if I hit a bump.
06-28-09, 09:38 PM
#7
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I do it sometimes...
06-28-09, 09:40 PM
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I use the whole bar and hoods. Move around and do whatever's comfortable.
06-28-09, 09:46 PM
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That's about how it works for me, almost like a TT position with my forearms horizontal to the ground and resting on the bar, and gripping the hood-knobs (9 spd Dura-Ace). Its a little more aero position that lets me use arm and core strength without burning up my legs.
06-28-09, 10:02 PM
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well the first time i tried that my sleeve snagged the hood emblem and threw me onto the windshield.
06-28-09, 10:02 PM
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I do that. SRAM hoods are actually pretty comfy doing that.
06-28-09, 10:11 PM
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One bike fitter's advice was that the reaching the hoods should be like a handshake - a bend at the waist, extend the arm with a straight wrist, and the hood should be right there. Small angle adjustments to the bar can make a big difference in comfort, so I'd monkey around with things for awhile before replacing the stem, but that's pretty easy anyway.
06-28-09, 10:47 PM
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i do it on my campy levers on not to steep, longish climbs. i move back on the saddle,
grab the tops of the hoods and get low.
pulling against your direction of force is a good thing.
steep climb while standing your likely standing on your pedals and pulling up on
the bars. moderate climb while seated, pulling backwards on the tops of
the hoods is the equivalent.
grab the tops of the hoods and get low.
pulling against your direction of force is a good thing.
steep climb while standing your likely standing on your pedals and pulling up on
the bars. moderate climb while seated, pulling backwards on the tops of
the hoods is the equivalent.
06-29-09, 07:08 AM
#16
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06-29-09, 07:46 AM
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I determine adequate stem length by selecting a length that provides a small amount of knee to arm clearance when I'm pedaling on a descent with my hands in the hooks, my fingers are in reach of the brake levers and my upper back is nearly horizontal. With the 11-12cm drop that I use, this requires almost no bend at the elbow. Of course, the stem length must be tolerable with the hands on the brake hoods, which is the position I use for most of my climbing. Too much stem length will most often cause stress and fatique at the shoulder joint. If you get into that problem, the stem is too long.
I use the knobby top of the new Campy ultrashift levers while riding aggressively on the flats, with my forearms horizontal.
I use the knobby top of the new Campy ultrashift levers while riding aggressively on the flats, with my forearms horizontal.
06-29-09, 08:07 AM
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I do this in races whenever I'm pulling to make it easier for myself and to minimize the draft for those behind me.
BL
06-29-09, 08:25 AM
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I do it quite a lot. Not so much when climbing, more when I'm in the front of a paceline on flats and we're moving fast enough that I want to get a bit more aero but not so fast that I want to get into the drops. It helps to give my hands a different position for variety/comfort.
If I could shift & brake from that position I'd probably spend a lot more time there! (Which makes me wonder if my fit needs work...)
If I could shift & brake from that position I'd probably spend a lot more time there! (Which makes me wonder if my fit needs work...)
