Just a thought, in general - If you don't use a position due to comfort issues, the bike may not fit you properly.

I don't use IABs, for two reasons. First, I can't TT, so being more aero is kind of an oxymoron for me. Second, I feel unstable, and being risk averse, I don't like feeling unstable.

I use drops, hoods, tops.

I try and hook a finger/thumb around something. Eddy B would say to have something hooked to your bar so that if you hit something unexpectedly (more likely if you're sightseeing or in the middle of a group of riders), your hand doesn't go flying off. He was pretty critical of riders who casually laid their hands on the bars. I think the word he used was "stupid".

I used to ride casually like that, but, again, being a risk averse person, I now ride with either with a hooked finger or being very aware of what's ahead of me.

Drops are very comfortable for me. Fit has a lot to do with it. Before this last bike, I wasn't very comfy in the drops. Now, with a longer cockpit, I'm much better on the drops, and at the end of long rides, it's a relief to hunker down in the drops. I use drops whenever I may be presented with an unusual situation or may need to brake more than casually, so typically in tighter groups/races, descents, corners, sprints, attacks.

Hoods are great for climbing out of the saddle. I also use them to switch pressure points vs the drops.

Tops I ride on long climbs or to be tall. If I'm pulling on a group ride, and I want to help as much as possible, I sit upright on the bike, put my hands on the hoods, and try and be as tall as possible. I'll do this on a leadout as well, in races.

cdr