How long can you guys ride using the drops? I cant seem to last long on the drops specially if i have some resistance. I feel the burning in my hamstring and squads pretty fast. Im guessing this is more because im not strong enough in my legs and not a bad saddle position, correct?

also, how straight should your arms be? slight bend in the elbows are more than that?

Sounds like more of a flexibility problem to me. Oh and slight bend in the elbows.

What is your cadence? In my experience quad and hamstring burning shouldn't be significant after a short ride unless you are working harder than you need to. When I first started riding I was doing this. Then I starting riding with less resistance and at a higher cadence. For me, this mean't less fatigue, longer rides, more comfort, and more speed.
Also, a slight bend in the elbows works for me. I usually ride 15-20 min in the drops before I change positions.

I sort of have the same problem at the moment. I know mine is from long a stem though and inflexibility. I plan on getting a new stem and maybe taking some yoga classes so I can hopefully start using the drops more. Sucks riding into a headwind on the hoods.

Fit and flexibility.

The most comfortable position on my bikes is in the drops.

I struggle to stay in the drops longer than a mile. I usually check my distance when I drop down and try to go a mile from there. It doesnt feel natural to me.

It doesn't feel natural to me either. I think it's because it isn't a natural position.

Is it supposed to be comfortable riding in the drops? I thought it was just for high-effort situations, not something you do all day.

Depending on how low your drops put you it could be enough that it is enagaging muscles differently then they are used to. Just make sure you spend some time in the position every ride and it will start to get better.

It should be reasonably comfortable as you may need to use them for extended periods when dealing with head winds. Special purpose bikes (track and time-trial) may have exaggerated seat to drops distance which some people think looks cool or macho or something, but those aren't really intended for extended use.

I can stay in the drops for an hour or so, and I have a 130mm saddle-to-handlebar drop.

Your elbows should be bent.

Ride in the drops more and you'll get used to it. As long as you aren't kneeing yourself in the chest, or having to bend your toe down, your saddle height should (key word) be fine.

The drops are comfortable for me so I can ride in that position for quite a while. Your flexibility and position on the bike determine how comfortable you are; fine tuning the amount of drop you need is also important.

How is any position on a bicycle a "natural" one?

As noted above, fit, flexibility, and practice in that position should allow you to feel comfortable in th drops for extended periods of time. I know it has for me.

I'll even climb both seated and out of the saddle in the drops for variety.

Compact bars.

well it seems im not the only one that has problems in the drops. Good to know i guess.

Im actually the least flexible person i have ever known. im still trying to find the correct fit for my bike. Im 5'8 and have a 54cm frame. My LBS doesnt have a trainer at the moment and havent been able to do the correct adjustments yet. They have only done minor ones but i still feel it could be better. The problem is that I usually get pain in my right shoulder, usually the back part of the shoulder, but ive had rotator cuff injuries the last coming from a dislocated shoulder about a year ago. Im not sure if the pain is from my shoulder just being weak from past injuries or from a bad fitting bike. Since my left shoulder feels fine im guessing its just my past injuries that are causing this pain.

Is it just me, but I prefer the drops on rougher roads seems to absorb vibrations better.

Fit and bike-specific fitness.

A non-cyclist that gets on an aggressively fit road bike won't feel very comfortable. Nor will a cyclist who hasn't ridden in a little while. An aggressive road bike position requires some specific strengths, namely core, lower back, neck, shoulders, arms, glutes, hamstrings, others.

I find that I'm most comfortable in a position where I naturally get to when I lean forward. My back ends up at a certain angle, held up by my back, hamstrings, glutes. That's the angle I try and replicate on the bike, and I can ride comfortably for hours like that. I should note that I do stand relatively often (every 5-10 minutes, sometimes 20-30 minutes).

For me the drops are my natural "fall back" position - at the end of my longest rides (5-7 hours), when I'm really tired, I get into the drops and feel at home.

cdr

long.

I can stay in the drops for 30 seconds. It just doesn't feel right to me. Or I'm fat. Thats probably it.

Assuming fit and flexibility are both adequate (helluvan asumption), it's simply a matter of calousing oneself to this unfamiliar position.

Sometimes, it's not about buying more stuff.

I've done a 40 mile ride being only in the drops except when coasting to and from my house to the road. My back hurt, but not my legs.

+1
Did 80 miles today in the heat with 20mph winds. My drops are like meatloaf and mashed potatoes - the comfort food of riding position - it's nicer down there: less wind resistance, back is all stretched out, don't have to work quite as hard to maintain speed, easier to use shifters/brakes, easier to maneuver on corners etc...Love your drops, they're good.

blasphemy!