I almost never use the drops...ride on hoods. Just me?
#101
Artificial Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Cyberspace
Posts: 7,158
Bikes: Retrospec Judd, Dahon Boardwalk, Specialized Langster
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6761 Post(s)
Liked 5,468 Times
in
3,217 Posts
#102
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: So Cal
Posts: 4,665
Bikes: 2012 Trek Madone 6.2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Everyone in the 41 rides on a roadracebike.
Anyone riding a roadracebike not riding it for speed is, in my little book, a complete tool.
Like those old guys in porches riding slower than general traffic ... just pathetic in my opinion and an insult to the car or bike and the designers of it.
Anyone riding a roadracebike not riding it for speed is, in my little book, a complete tool.
Like those old guys in porches riding slower than general traffic ... just pathetic in my opinion and an insult to the car or bike and the designers of it.
#104
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 8,550
Bikes: Wilier Izoard XP (Record);Cinelli Xperience (Force);Specialized Allez (Rival);Bianchi Via Nirone 7 (Centaur); Colnago AC-R Disc;Colnago V1r Limited Edition;De Rosa King 3 Limited(Force 22);DeRosa Merak(Red):Pinarello Dogma 65.1 Hydro(Di2)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 551 Post(s)
Liked 277 Times
in
145 Posts
#105
Blissketeer
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 1,335
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It really is about comfort and efficiency. If one is not in the drops then efficiency suffers. If one is uncomfortable in the drops then chances are the bike fit isn't ideal or there are some other physical realities that must be prioritized at the expense of efficiency. Achieving individual comfort in the drops is really about balancing the physical reality with an optimal fit adjustment (ie coming to terms w/ the reality that a "standard" aero, race setup doesn't suit one's personal, physical limitations).
#107
OM boy
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Goleta CA
Posts: 4,354
Bikes: a bunch
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 507 Post(s)
Liked 634 Times
in
432 Posts
Everyone in the 41 rides on a roadracebike.
Anyone riding a roadracebike not riding it for speed is, in my little book, a complete tool.
Like those old guys in porches riding slower than general traffic ... just pathetic in my opinion and an insult to the car or bike and the designers of it.
Anyone riding a roadracebike not riding it for speed is, in my little book, a complete tool.
Like those old guys in porches riding slower than general traffic ... just pathetic in my opinion and an insult to the car or bike and the designers of it.
riding your 'nago' (autos/motos don;t even need to be mentioned...) to the local coffee spot is as valid as anything else done on it. Nicely, many others think similarly. And a whole week of 'recovery' rides is often a very nice thing.
Seems an awfully stressful existence having to live up to the expectations placed on one by the stuff/toys one has.
#110
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
The problem is you're trying to be wise, or at least sane, but this is the road forum.
cars and bikes do a good job handling 'insults' - they just sit there... and can only be coaxed as far as the user is comfortable/able to make them go.
riding your 'nago' (autos/motos don;t even need to be mentioned...) to the local coffee spot is as valid as anything else done on it. Nicely, many others think similarly. And a whole week of 'recovery' rides is often a very nice thing.
Seems an awfully stressful existence having to live up to the expectations placed on one by the stuff/toys one has.
riding your 'nago' (autos/motos don;t even need to be mentioned...) to the local coffee spot is as valid as anything else done on it. Nicely, many others think similarly. And a whole week of 'recovery' rides is often a very nice thing.
Seems an awfully stressful existence having to live up to the expectations placed on one by the stuff/toys one has.
#113
Flying Pig
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 318
Bikes: 06 Specialized Allez Sport, '10 Trek Fuel EX 7
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
How else are you gonna go 40mph and maintain control?
I've been using the drops more after a couple times going at 25-30mph on the hoods and realizing that 1) I'm much more stable on the drops over rough roads and 2) there is no way I can brake quickly on the hoods.
I've been using the drops more after a couple times going at 25-30mph on the hoods and realizing that 1) I'm much more stable on the drops over rough roads and 2) there is no way I can brake quickly on the hoods.
#114
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 67
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Any tips on downshifting STI from the drops? Reach is fine for braking, but I pull back (unintentional braking) on the large lever when I try to push it sideways.
#115
Pedal To The Metal
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Čakovec, Croatia
Posts: 2
Bikes: Orbea OIZ PV Wind 2007., Author A3303 2003., Moser Sprint 1978?, Rog Maraton DeLuxe 1985?
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Sora + Rapid Rise
Just what CDR said. Lotsa control in the drops.
BikeWise1 and his fit comment, too.
I just go a little faster, easier in the drops.
pcat mentioned something the other day I had read previously and I think it's a shame because I think there's a lot of the Sora brifters out there. Not being able to shift readily in the drops is a real problem as I see it. If my equipment kept me from fully operating the bike while in the drops I'd be making some changes.
BikeWise1 and his fit comment, too.
I just go a little faster, easier in the drops.
pcat mentioned something the other day I had read previously and I think it's a shame because I think there's a lot of the Sora brifters out there. Not being able to shift readily in the drops is a real problem as I see it. If my equipment kept me from fully operating the bike while in the drops I'd be making some changes.
#116
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: So Cal
Posts: 4,665
Bikes: 2012 Trek Madone 6.2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
How else are you gonna go 40mph and maintain control?
I've been using the drops more after a couple times going at 25-30mph on the hoods and realizing that 1) I'm much more stable on the drops over rough roads and 2) there is no way I can brake quickly on the hoods.
I've been using the drops more after a couple times going at 25-30mph on the hoods and realizing that 1) I'm much more stable on the drops over rough roads and 2) there is no way I can brake quickly on the hoods.
#119
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 9,201
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1186 Post(s)
Liked 289 Times
in
177 Posts
It's just a little safer and you have better control. If you hit a bump while in the drops your hands will stay on the bars. It also depends on the type of hoods you have, how they are mounted and how sweaty your hands are.
#120
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,516
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Mentioned: 354 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20808 Post(s)
Liked 9,450 Times
in
4,668 Posts
#121
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: SFV, CA
Posts: 167
Bikes: 2011 Look 566 Rival, 2009 Fuji Roubaix pro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Although I spend the VAST majority of my time on the hoods I find that I feel lighter on my hands while in the drops which is good for my upper back. It's just habit that keeps me on the hoods....I need to change that habit.
#122
Recently Addicted
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Front Range, CO
Posts: 521
Bikes: M1 w/105
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
almost never, cept facing strong winds or want a screaming downhill fun stretch, but i'm also very new.
#123
ka maté ka maté ka ora
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: wessex
Posts: 4,423
Bikes: breezer venturi - red novo bosberg - red, pedal force cg1 - red, neuvation f-100 - da, devinci phantom - xt, miele piste - miche/campy, bianchi reparto corse sbx, concorde squadra tsx - da, miele team issue sl - ultegra
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
#125
Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Chattanooga TN
Posts: 48
Bikes: Trek 1.1 Alpha Aluminum
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
When I began road cycling, I always rested my hands on the top of the handlebars of my road bike, but I soon realized that it is more comfortable, faster, and professional-looking to ride holding on the to handlebar hoods.
Though I ride for recreation rather than for competitive racing, its much more efficient to ride this way.
Though I ride for recreation rather than for competitive racing, its much more efficient to ride this way.