sprinting . . .
 

I'm guessing that since everyone sprints in the drops, that is the ideal way to do it. However, I feel like I have better control and more power if I sprint on the hoods (sprinting in the drops feels kinda wobbly). I dont think aerodynamics is that much of an issue because both ways, my back is straight. Is this something I should even be concerned with? maybe stem too long or something? maybe an erroneous tilt of the hoods? or maybe it just looks too gay to sprint this way . . . suggestions?

You should be sprinting in the drops and practicing is the only way you will get comfortable.

An ideal sprinter's bike is really long and low but i'm assuming you arent focusing to be a pure sprinter.

Try tilting your handlebars down a little bit. You probably have them in more of a climbing position than a sprinting position. Also, wider bars may help; so far, this is only a theory of mine, maybe I'll be more able to do a more powerful sprint if I race on bars that are my size.

You're probably losing 3+ mph on your top end by sprinting, if you can call it that, from the hoods.

Not to mention you probably aren't engaging the most powerful muscles you have - your glutes - nearly as much as you could, because you aren't getting low enough. If you've ever leg pressed or done squats, you would know that your hip angle gets pretty sharp and you use a LOT of your rear to move the weight when your knees are near your chest. Same thing with sprinting from the drops vs. the hoods.

Do you have any good side view pictures of sprints? Because I need to learn everything I possibly can about sprinting in 4 days or else I'm going to lose again.

I only recently started racing in the drops, but I've noticed much greater power output as opposed to riding on the hoods. I find sitting forward on the saddle helps increase comfort. If I sit too far back it feels like my choda(sp?) is taking all the weight of my body.

First, it is more wobbly, and this is preferable. Instability means quicker reactions when needed. It's also more aero and more powerful. You should learn to sprint from the drops if you want to be competitive.

Here's me (left, drops) getting an inch on a guy because he was sprinting in the hoods. I started 4 bikes behind this guy, and he was lead out by a teammate:

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/7...inishlglb4.jpg

...and here's Lance (drops) beating Dominguez (hoods) in a sprint. For the record, Lance is not a sprinter, and Dominguez is supposed to be. These days, he is sprinting from the (edit) drops, and is winning much more...

(c) CyclingNews.com

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/20...nce_winner.jpg

I too sprinted on my hoods for my first 5 races or so until someone mentioned I should try it in the drops. It wasnt a natural feeling for me to sprint in my drops but I practiced it on our club rides and got used to it in a week or so. My first race to try my new sprinting technique earned me my first win.

You can really get a lot more power in the drops not to mention the aerodynamics. I even get in my drops if I am attacking on a hill. I dont know why but it seems to utilize more leg strength.

There are many reasons why it is preferable to sprint in the drops. It's not even debateable. Don't overanalyze it. Just do it.

Bob