Ken Brown

One tenth of the time, but when I use the drops I really appreciate them. Mostly into a significant wind or down hills. Sometimes in an attempt to impress girls.

donheff

Probably only 10% in the drops, 40% on the hoods, and 50% on the ramps. I have a cross bike with brake levers on the ramps and I like them better than reaching over the hoods. I am getting more comfortable in the drops and expect to move a bit more in that direction this year - especially when pushing against wind.

JanMM

It's been a long, long time since I had a bike with drop bars but, as I recall, most of my riding was on the drops. What's the point of drop bars if you don't use the drops?

Beverly

One of my road bikes has the extra brake levers on the ramps but I no longer use them. The new road bike doesn't have them and I almost rear-ended a SUV on the first ride. I was so accustomed to using them that I grabbed the handlebars to stop and nothing happened Thankfully I was able to steer clear and ended up in a parking lot

BluesDawg

Don't you mean on the "tops", the flat section going to the sides from the stem clamp? The "ramps" are the section stretching forward towards the "hoods" from the bends at the ends of the "tops".

I don't think I have ever seen brake levers on the "ramps".

John E

Flats below the drops, at the ends of the bar: 15% (more on the Peugeot, which has barcons)
Drops just under the brake mounting straps: 60% (all descents, headwinds, and fast riding)
Brake hoods: 20% (typically cruising, resting or climbing)
Tops (4 or 5cm below peak of saddle): 5% (mostly in-saddle ascents)

oilman_15106

I think you hit the nail on the head about the bar position and being in the drops. I did an observation on a longer group ride last year and not one person was using the drop position very much. The ones that never get in the dorp seem to have their bar position lower so with their riding position on the hoods they are almost in a drop position for someone like me who has their bars up a bit.

I get in the drops as much as possible even when climbing some minor hills.

Digital Gee

According to the spec sheet, my chainrings are 50-39-30t, and my cassette is a 12-27t. By the way, I do not know what the "t" stands for.

solveg

(tooth?)

Digital Gee

I do shift down (when I remember or have the time) in the back, but I rarely even think of shifting down in the front. I will experiment...

And it's funny you mention knees, because every once in a while, I get a little knee pain. Not much, but a little. And I was off the bike for nearly two months last year about this time with a big knee problem. It just hasn't been a factor since getting the Roubaix.

EDIT: I forgot to quote badger1, post 22. Ooops!

Little Darwin

What sort of magical gears do you use?

If you use the same gear and cadence, you are going the same speed... unless you are really coasting, but moving your legs to keep them loose.

Maybe you mean same effort?

swan652

I'm in the drops probably 80-90% of the time. and I've lowered the handlebars probably an inch from where they came from the factory. Having said that, it's been so long since I've ridden that I'll probably have to raise everything back up when I get back on the bike this spring (at least until I lose this fifteen pounds and get my back and abs back in shape).

stonecrd

I can see how staying in the big ring and not shifting up your cassette could mess with your knees but the lowest combination I go at stops is 53/24 and I never have a problem with my knees and almost immediately shift down after I start moving. Up hill would be a different story.

badger1

Hey, DG! I'm almost never worth quoting , but think I am on this one! Seriously -- you mention "a little knee pain" etc. Yep, we all of us who cycle regularly/extensively can get that, and should pay attention, but those of us over 50 especially, whatever our history etc. really do have to watch the 'big gear' thing. Cyclists' knee(s) can blow out suddenly, w/o real warning, and one of the most common causes of this, even in elite-level sprinters, is the constant pushing of big gears. The loading forces (torsion/sheer) on the knee joint are enormous when we do this.

tsl

I would ride the drops more often if my spare tire didn't get in the way of my breathing when I do.

Hermes

Probably 15% of the time in the drops. For me, it is a function of speed and wind. Into the wind, I go to the drops.

Big Paulie

Yeah DG, you're going to make a great bike mechanic some day!!!

Big Paulie

I had that exact issue, but then I raised my bars even with my saddle. Much better. I can bend my elbows and get down pretty flat for brief periods, then raise up, still in the drops, to a more comfortable position.

tsl

The OCPs already point and snicker at my spacers and 17° stem...

BluesDawg

"turbo"

maddmaxx 

One of the spinoffs from building a TT bike this year was acquiring information about the design parameters for the TT geometry. Turns out that the optimum starting point (subject to change as is everything else in cycling) is about a 90deg angle between the torso and the thighs. If you tighten up this angle, breathing becomes a problem. Thus the TT frame has a more vertical seat tube so the body is rotated forward (feet are rotated back) and the 90 deg angle is retained even though the head and arms are lower.

Unfortunately......I have been unable to find a TT frame with the requisite dish in the top tube to accomodate my 50+ aero shape so I am now eating less and riding the trainer more.

Big Paulie

I'm snicked at for so many reasons, my bar height goes right over their heads!

maddmaxx 

Nice pun.

Big Paulie

I like the front-to-rear weight distribution slightly better in the drops, which is the main reason I use them.

That, and dealing with relentless head winds.

donheff

I started the misuse of the term "ramps." I would have said "tops" or "flats" which is where my extra brake levers are but I misread your earlier post:

...and thought that new term referred to what I always called the tops. So you are actually to blame for not taking into account the dullness of fellow readers.