With respect, corrected. Whenever I think something may happen, I'll get into the drops. If I'm not in the drops around you, it means that I feel pretty comfortable that nothing weird will happen in the next second or two.

A properly fit bike will let you brake and corner harder in the drops than any other position.

Fitness issues may keep you from being in the drops long. When I first descended Palomar, not only could I not stay in the drops, I had to stop to rest (!!). Last couple times I was sprinting out of turns, tucking, and generally flying down the mountain. I managed to take about 5 minutes off my descent time, maybe even 10.

When I was "heavy" (5'7", currently just under 160, used to be 215 or so late 2003), I used a longer, taller bike. I felt pretty uncomfortable in the drops because someone's leg was kneeing my stomach ever half revolution. I sprinted in the drops but rode on the hoods a lot.

cdr