Originally Posted by EnLaCalle
I do this. It is the most functional IMO. It definitely makes your track drops look way less badass, but it makes the most sense if you actually care about handlebar ergonomics. I use the hoods on big, out of saddle climbs and to skid (which is usually just for fun, because I have a brake). It's also just nice to have that extra aero-style hand position on the hoods. People here will say it's ugly, but if you want to keep your drops (which I actually use A LOT too), rock a brake, and have a bull horn-esque feature to your bars, it's the way to go.
Ditto that. I love the hoods. Actually I realize that I like touching the brake levers while I ride too. I subconsciously flick at the nonexistent rear lever while pedaling along. and that, along with my newfound propensity for riding up and down mountainous roads, will probably lead to the installation of an entire rear brake (not just the dummy hood) on my fixie. As soon as I buy a decent caliper that is.
which is kind of too bad, cuz I was going to use the rear brake lever to activate a bell. Wouldn't that be neato! Maybe I'll employ a bar-end shifter for that purpose.