well, if some one is riding into a strong headwind with a drop bar equipped bike, but isn't utilizing them, then they're nuts or gluttons for punishment. the idea that you can tuck down and get more aero when battling a headwind is kinda the whole point of drop bars as far as i'm concerned, otherwise i'm up on the hoods the majority of time.

I'm still baffled by the statement that drop bars are unstable.

That's what she said...

To answer a question further up the chain...I do move to the flats every now and again just to change positions. If I had to guess, I spend about %70 of my time on the hoods, 20 in drops and ten on flats. That can change depending on the kind of riding I'm doing. I generally really like the feel and positioning of the hoods and as Chipcom suggested, love the drops for headwinds and downhill riding.

I don't have the extra levers because I've found I lost braking power with them (i had a Jake the Snake with those and the brakes were for crap). I really don't find it very difficult to move from the flats to the hoods or drops when braking.

I LOVE the position changes drops offer...it definitely helps keep me fresh and less stiff.

+1...especially since you're a Steely Dan fan.

I thought it was just me! People tell me I'm crazy when I say drops are better for my back...but I've experienced the same thing. I have something similar to a herniated disc, and riding other bar styles really aggravates it. The more agressive positioning stretches me out and takes pressure off of my back. I also like a very high saddle position and lower bar position.

He is from NYC & he does bike down past the west village of town to commute

Dude, that's what she said.

(encore.)

I find on my classic Bianchi road bike with downtube shifters, if I'm in the drops (and therefore have a bit more weight on the bars than when I'm sitting more upright with my hands on the tops) when I take one hand off the bars to shift, I feel a little less stable. It's nice to keep the weight balanced. That's my experience, anyway.

When I rode with drop bars, ~25yrs. ago I spent most of my time on the hoods. I now use trekking bars, seem to be every bit as good as the drops.

Just to say --

I posted this after I...noticed my rear getting a little sore from riding. I think there might even be a hemmeroid developing.

I usually place my hands on the more upright straight bar section, right around where they turn around.

So I tried drops, and it all seemed better. It is more awkward though, b/c you're leaning more forward, and I feel like I can't manuver as well as I can in a more upright position, but for some reason I seem to pedal harder when I'm in the drops, and my rear hurts much much much less. It's incredible how much less...

So did you get a whole new bike, or just do the drop swap (can be quite the expensive undertaking for geared bikes).

Probably could've achieved similar results with stem and/or bar swap and barend addition. Drops are nice, however.

I've never had a bike with drops but I think my next bike will definitely have them. I like the idea of having multiple hand positions and lately I've been finding my hybrid cramped and uncomfortable.

rivallez-2..jpg

and this is my commuter.

your point?

not essential for commuting

+1 on the trekking bars; they seem ideal for hybrids as they offer multiple hand postitions while still using your same controls. Why not make your hybrid more comfortable while saving for that drop-bar bike?

and essential != awesome. :|

Er, having a properly sized cockpit where your body is positioned and balanced properly will avoid excessive pressure on your behind by balancing it with pressure on your hands. If you need drop bars todo this, your top-tube is probably a bit short or handlebars too high or something is off with the fit.

Drop bars are good for getting a little more aero, but aero bars are better at that.... so flat-bars with aero bars might make a good commuter!

Possibly, but certainly not always the case. Some have vast experience with drops but have decided that other set ups suit their needs better. I rode drops exclusively through the late 70's and all of the 80's. Since then almost all of my miles have been done on non-drop bar bikes.

What matters more if looking for less wind resistance and physical position on bike is saddle to bar drop at your most common hand positions and if you bend you elbows or keep them near straight.

I have three bikes set up with trekking bars, one has north roads, one has risers (my mtb, one has moustaches bars, and the other 7 have drop bars.

Like some others, I cannot sit upright on a bike and ride for any distance so the old 3 speed with the north road bars does not see a lot of mileage but the three speed with drop bars does, the mtb has a very aggressive / forward set up and is quite comfortable, and trekking bars are about as versatile as they come... but most of the time I am riding a bike with drop bars.

Besides the good hand positioning I can be more aero with drop bars and more aero is more efficient... as I can only pedal fully with one leg every little bit helps.

Could never abide flat bars... they have to be the worst type of bar to use.

I don't agree with you. I do a lot of long distance rides and I never use drop bars. I prefer to use bull horns or flat bars with bar ends.

Dude........what she said. Double encore.

The hoods offer the best leverage for working the brakes,esp in a panic stop. They also give the best leverage for sprinting away from a light(you're too hunched over in the drops,and the tops are too narrow). Most drop bar bikes don't have cross levers,so you'd have to add them.

Not true, the drops will give you better leverage than the hoods for breaking. And if the hoods are better for sprinting why do the pros use the drops?