I often get on the drops especially into the wind. Sometimes, I just like to change my hand position. My favorite position is holding the tops of the brifters, but I can't brake from that position.

After wondering what the heck you were all talking about a little google searching presented me with this article which I found very helpful and I wanted to share
"hoods, the hooks, the drops, the tops, and the ramps"
http://lovelybike.blogspot.dk/2012/06/drop-bar-hand-positions-introduction.html

After wondering what the heck you were all talking about a little google searching presented me with this article which I found very helpful and I wanted to share
"hoods, the hooks, the drops, the tops, and the ramps"
http://lovelybike.blogspot.dk/2012/06/drop-bar-hand-positions-introduction.html

"Beginners who cannot use drop bars properly tend to hold their hands on the tops, because this reminds them of mountain bike handlebars and allows them to stay more upright than any of the other positions do. It feels safer. However, this is deeply problematic. First, you cannot reach the brakes from the tops. And if you are too scared to use the other positions, will you really be able to brake quickly and effectively when the situation calls for it? Probably not. Furthermore, drop bars are narrower than mountain bike handlebars, and holding the tops places the rider's hands too close to the stem - not the best position for controlling the bike. Nearly every time I see a beginner on a roadbike lose control of their bicycle, they are holding the tops. "

can i just say OMG? this was so true for me, as my first bike was a mtb. I stopped quickly when I found out i could not control the bike in wind and going down hill... jamming down hills scare the crap out of me and I wont do it ... yet... without gently using the breaks so I dont flip over the handlebars for fear of wrecking my new bike. Well, another reason I stopped quickly doing this is extreme pain in my palms causing me to switch hand positions too frequently which had me questioning if my switch from a mtb was a good idea. Im much happier having discovered the "hood" position on my own. I just didnt know there was a technical name for it. =) Still riding although my palms do become tired still.

The majority of the time I'm on the hoods. My lower back has always gotten sore (even when not riding) so the drops get uncomfortable after some time. As I get more flexible, I use the drops more, but usually it's only on downhills and the flat afterwards until I'm back at a normal pace.

I sometimes ride on my tops when eating, drinking, or climbing.

Otherwise I'm almost entirely on my hoods, which can be faster than the drops.

Arms horizontal when going fast which is about 13% of the time except during my 1 in 4 rest week. Otherwise in the traditional position.

Want to ride faster? Hunker down on the hoods, say researchers | road.cc

summarizes, like this but lower

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=458711
Niki Terpstra Qatar © PhotoSport International

There's more leverage braking in the drops, although that's not relevant with front dual pivot brakes providing enough mechanical advantage to easily lift the rear wheel braking from the hoods.

I do that sometimes when trying to get speed, and maybe I could get comfortable with that after a while, but as it is, I often go to the drops because it's more comfortable and less cramped feeling. And of course all that stuff about control.

On my classic road bike (about 9cm drop) I used to spend about 80/20 hoods/drops, but now I set another one up with 3cm drop and % is reversed. Drops are more comfortable, but the price is an ugly 40º stem...

I'm one of the only people I know who rides fast and low... on the tops.

I do the same position basically as forearms parallel on the hoods, except my hands are on the tops. This actually seems even more aero to me because my arms are inside the "hole" created by my chest / torso. On the hoods, they are outside. It feels pretty close to a skiers tuck. I ride like this on long flat sections where sudden maneuvers are going to be very unlikely. Obviously, I ride solo.

Beyond that, it's hoods most of the time and almost never in the drops. I have a bad hip and neck, and spending more than a minute chugging along in the drops aggravates them both. I've spent a lot of time working on my fit, including using 165mm cranks to make the most of whatever low position I can manage.

Sometimes when I stand up and sprint hard, or power up hills I will go for the drops. But when sitting? Pretty much never. I've gotten very good at fast technical descents while on the hoods, even though everything I've read says you're not supposed to do that.

you are basically doing the Obree's praying mantis, raise the bar and get your hands to your chest and get even more aero lol

It's about 80 - 20 hoods to drops for me. Very rarely on the tops. I've really worked at spending more time in the drops. Always when decending and into the wind. What I do find is that when I ride in the drops my power numbers drop as well but there must be an aero benefit because even though the wattage drops the speed increases.

Yup, I was going to mention Graham's position to help visualize it, but kind of forgot to do so.