Moving my hands has absolutely nothing to do with getting more speed. I move my hands just like I move my legs into different positions when I'm sitting at my desk at work. I'm not one to sit still for hours ... at my desk or on a bicycle.

1) To avoid getting uncomfortable.

2) To go faster (or same speed with less work). If you're running an aggressive drop from the seat to the bars, it's likely not going to be comfortable to ride in the drops all day long on a long ride.

3) To increase stability cornering or descending.

And you don't need to get so aero if you're just tooling along, or you're sitting in the paceline. So you can ride along on the hoods, and then get in the drops when it's your turn to pull, when you turn into a headwind, when you're bridging between groups, when you're off the front solo, when you're going to sprint, when you're cornering or descending, or when you just want to pickup the pace.

Yep + no hands -- being able to de-layer in the back of a fast group ride is a good thing.

And the reason? comfort, control, aerodynamics, & mood, I s'pose.

I do pretty much every position mentioned in this thread. One position I sometimes use is where I have one hand in the drop and hand on the the top, near the the first curve. I find this position to give me a lot of control while not having to reach as far. Does anyone else do this?

You might actually be safer with your hands on the bend (where the bars curve down) with your two first fingers on the end of the brake levers than you are on the hoods. You have better leverage on the brakes that way and your hands won't get as tired.

You can also slide your butt rearward to reduce the likelihood of the "over the handle bars" effect.

In my "normal" riding, I'm often trying to keep up with people faster than I am, on fairly longish rides (50+ miles).

Part of the skill of bicycling is managing momentum efficiently so you don't waste it. Using the drops (more) is a key tool for this. It's surprising to me that so many people who ride a lot almost never use the drops.

I ride on the hoods when I'm going relatively slow. I use the top of the bar for variation. I'll ride on the curves to get low and get better leverage on the brakes. I'll ride on the ends to get low and be able to rest on my arms/hands.

Drops give you more control and more powerful braking. What is it about going downhill in the drops that scares you?

Not really sure what it is. Just a feeling based on nothing at all probably :)

I use that one a lot myself, especially on a windy flat. I can get my torso as low as I would in the drops, but being able to rest my wrist/forearm along the top curve is comfy.

I love twisty downhills. It's like riding a sportbike.

About 8.

If you a combination of positions like LH tops RH hoods the list would get quite long.

If I am bored or my wrists hurt I will rest my elbows on the tops like I have invisible tri bars. If I am really bored and there is no traffic, I will rest my forehead or chin on my forearms. You can almost take a nap in this position.

I've never ridden a sportbike, but I love twisty descents as well.

That's another one I use too. Didn't even think of it until I saw the picture.

Another one I forgot to mention is laying your wrists on the tops. Haven't done that since I rebuilt my bike though, front end seems more twitchy than I remember it to be, so I'll save that position for later.

Amen to that! It's the only reason I climb. Well that, and the only place where you will find more than three square feet of flat ground around here, is under a house...

do your squeeze your legs against the top tube when descending? that usually adds some (illusion of) stability

I do this quite a bit. On my work commute I have two downhill stretches that I need to move over a lane to make a left turn. Right hand in the drop to maximize breaking if needed and left on the top curve or hood to make it easier to look over the shoulder to keep an eye out for the "enemy".

Other than that I move my hands all over the bar for variety/comfort/conditions.

I think its just a matter of practice. A lot of people feel more secure in a more upright position. Where in fact the lower center of gravity in the drops is more secure.

Practice cornering and descending in the drops for a little bit, and I bet you will come around to feeling more secure descending that way.

my 2 fav's are.
1. Drops on flat/downhill ( this is most comfortable for me )
2. for steep hills , I like to rest my forearms ( above pic ), since im 6 2 / 200 pounds, im just trying to survive the hill


Dont really like riding on the hoods that much , unless im cruising/not pushing myself.

I think you are right. Being at your widest, most comfortable, & used hand position, and more upright with nice clear vision is probably just a "comfort position" thing.

But yeah, down in the drops is the way to go! PEE-YOO! WHEEE!

This doesn't make a lot of sense. That position with the elbows bent deep is intended to get you aero, similar to being in the drops. Riding a steep uphill, aerodynamics is mostly out the window, and you're better off sitting upright and breathing.

Even if you aren't trying to go faster, descending in the drops is worth it just for better braking leverage.

You know, I've done this a couple times (admittedly it's makes no sense on my part)... I think my brain would think, "hey, let's rest on the bars while we climb!" and I'll agree and a few seconds later wonder why I'm struggling to breath, shake my head, and get back up top.

There's that, or the OP may lack core fitness.

When I ride IABs, I rest my forearms along the ramps and drape my hands in front of the brake levers so I can hook the bottom of the levers with my fingers while also being able to brake. Of course, I don't do this in a group.

Thanks for the advice.

I took my commute's downhill today in the drops. It felt a bit awkward at first, but it's worth it. Takes a little getting used to, but it feels good.

Hmm, after saying that the only positions I use are hoods or in the drops, this doesn't quite make sense. If I only used the tops then maybe.

So once you get past hoods - cruising, drops - downhill/overcoming wind/sprinting and tops - breathing is there any extra functionality to the other hand positions, or is it purely for variation for the wrists/arms?