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-   -   % of time you spend in the drops (https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/329107-time-you-spend-drops.html)

cyclezealot 08-04-07 06:17 PM

Only time I am not in the drops is if I am braking or turning. I am quite comfortable down there.

VoodooRada 08-04-07 06:20 PM

I've set up my bikes with about 2cm drop to the bars. I'm able to stay in the drops for everything but really steep climbs. What I lose in outright aero, I more than make up by being able to stay lower and narrower for longer periods.

dgasmd 08-04-07 06:24 PM

I would say until a few weeks ago, hardly ever. Now it is more like 80+% of the time.

Quijibo187 08-04-07 06:24 PM

0-5% usually, but when I get into a head wind... alot more time is spent in the drops.

woodcycl 08-04-07 09:19 PM

I truly NEVER ever ride in the drops. Never had a reason to ... using the hoods and tops of the bars are fine for me and I can become aero enough when needed to accomplish what I need. Because I don't ride in them, the few times I've experimented with them ... it doesn't feel natural.

halfspeed 08-04-07 10:00 PM

If you're in the 0-5% group, your bike doesn't fit.

ratebeer 08-04-07 10:10 PM

No need for drops. I have aero bars and I can't do a thrashing sprint.

Psimet2001 08-04-07 10:30 PM

0-5% - I've got some issues that have led me to ride with my saddle a little lower than it should be. Now my abdomen gets in the way of riding in the drops. Maybe I should just size up all of my frames and be done with it....

cmh 08-04-07 10:47 PM

This is a pretty hard question to gauge because it varies from ride to ride.

Easy recovery rides - almost never in the drops.
Fast flat rides alone - most of the time, except for warm up and cool down which can be 30% of the ride.
Fast flat rides with a group - 100% of the time I am in front, maybe 60% of the time while I'm drafting again the warm up/cool down is the exception.
Hard hilly rides - 100% in the drops on descents, almost 0% on ascents, and about the same as flat rides on the flats.

I answered 21-50% in the poll, but after writing it out I think it may be <20%.

Viceroy 08-04-07 11:09 PM

Probably 95%. Just feels natural and faster. On long rides I use the hoods a little bit to switch it up, but most of the time there's no need to.

IchBinDarren 08-04-07 11:19 PM

I like to use the drops anytime I am at higher speeds or facing a headwind.

Donegal 08-05-07 11:29 AM

riding in the drops
 
I ride in the drops whenever I am riding over 15mph and can push a big gear. I don't like to spin while in the drops, so I like to be in them in a bigger gear. It helps me maintain more speed and I can turn some hills into rollers. I don't ride in the drops all the time due to comfort issues. It's easier to breather while sitting up.


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