Old Gammy Leg

I'm never entirely sure when is the ideal time to be using the drops. Like most, I ride mainly on the hoods. Obviously you want to be in the drops for fast descents, to be more aero and have better access and power on the brake levers.

I know I'm supposed to sprint in the drops, but I find this difficult and uncomfortable, and I'm not convinced I generate any more power than when on the hoods. Also when riding fast on the flat, but I'm not sure that my position is the best for being aerodynamic... is it just a case of keeping my head down and body low, or is there more to it than that? Do you switch often between drops and hoods?

Any advice welcome

late

Hi,
I only use the drops on descents and in nasty headwinds.
I don't worry about it.

ShinyBaldy

wherever I feel like it?

when handling is required

Grasschopper

OMG I used them for 50% of my 1:40 min ride last night. The headwind was killer on the outward loop and then on the way back I got down and flew. It was a pretty fun ride all in all. Typically I do about 80% of my riding on the tops but last night was nuts.

rogue9607

I probably need to adjust my bike a bit, but I do almost all of my riding in the drops. It's just more comfortable for me.

DXchulo

I usually use the drops when I'm more concerned about being aero: down hills, in stiff winds, and in races when I'm not protected by a draft. This is just a personal thing, but I also like to get in the drops on tough hills. It makes me look down at the road and forget about what's ahead of me.

On longer rides I use them every once in a while just to add some variety in an effort to stay comfortable.

When I sprint what I do is stand up and mash, and then once I get up some good speed I'll get in the drops and hammer. Remember- the faster you go the more important wind resistance becomes.

There's really no right answer as to when you should use the drops. A lot of personal preference is involved here.

'nother

All right, then, "never" it is!

Edit: speaking for myself only, that is!

soccerismylife

I use them about 40 % of my riding. I use them on fast descents, during races, as another position on a long ride, and whenever I'm trying to get aero. I usually don't use them in a sprint because I find that my hip angle isn't open enough to generate as much power. In other words, I find that the power increase I have in the hoods overides any decrease in aerodynamics.

rule

In about 20 minutes...I am heading out into a 22mph headwind.

timmhaan

headwind mostly. sometimes i move to the drops randomly whenever i feel like i need to stretch. i'm working on sprinting from the drops now. it felt weird at first (too far forward) but i'm starting to feel more comfortable with it.

2Rodies

This is exactly what I do with one exception I always start my weak ass sprint in the drops.

Hipcycler

Probably a personal choice thing with no RIGHT answer.
For me, only once in a great while when I am into a headwind, just to get as aero as possible to fight it.

Otherwise, I find riding in the drops rather uncomfortable. And in addition to that, it's tougher on my hip. My surgeon would have a fit if he ever saw me in the drops....he didn't even want me to have drop handlebars!

skydive69

You do in fact generate more power on the hoods, but the problem is that the amount of wind resistance you generate more than compensates for the extra power, hence the fastest position (compromise between power and wind resistance) is in the drops. If you are uncomfortable in the drops, either your hamstrings are too tight, your handlebars have to much reach, or your bike needs adjusting (stem, seat, rise, etc).

Steelrider

Agree with this assessment, including fact that you'll get more actual performance out of being in drops on windy days and descending. Uphill is definitely preference, but downhill will get you 2-5+ mph more max speed depending on grade, weight, etc. Once you get going on fast descent, sit up a little and see how much difference the drag makes on your speed and how you feel. Have fun.

Hipcycler

Good points 69...in my case the hammies have always been a curse.

Old Gammy Leg

Thanks everyone for the replies.

I'm pretty sure the bike setup is ok. I'm not uncomfortable as such sprinting in the drops, it just feels a bit weird. Though if I'm standing up, does it really make that much difference in terms of wind reistance, whether I'm in drops or hoods? This is why I can't really see the advantage.

If doing an aero tuck for descending, what exactly should I be doing? keeping low and head down, obviously... is there more to it than that? I'm not yet ready to lean my whole body out over the bars lol

tvphobic

Sure, in a headwind or in the front of a pack. I read through the thread so far; but no one has mentioned yet one of my key times to get in the drops: when covering really bad surfaces. Gotta get center of mass low and get a really positive grip on the bars for the dug-up pavement with coarse pebbles, gravel, etc. It seems to reduce nasty surprises.

Steelrider

If in the first part, you mean no advantage to drops or hoods when climbing?, that is why most have said this is preference. In the second part, if you try it, it will be immediately apparent to you exactly what aero position is best. You will feel like your upper body is a sail catching a stiff breeze if you sit up when descending at any decent speed. If anything you ride is enough to get anywhere near 40+mph, you'll really feel the effects of just having your elbows out too far. Generally though, you'll find that if your head and shoulders are low enough to block the wind from catching your chest, you'll feel the wind rush around your body and will be able to maintain a consistent speed assuming same grade/cadence. If you raise your head/chest up slightly, you'll feel the drag and start to scrub off speed from 1-3+mph. Just try it and you'll know. Have fun.

53-11_alltheway

The more you use them the more you feel confortable in them.

I think part of it is where you set your prefered position. If your prefered position is set to be the "tops" your drops will most likely to be easier to use.

It's all a big comprimise really.

'nother

The more I read about climbing technique, the more I see that you probably don't want to be in the drops while climbing. It may feel comfortable (for some -- for me, I can't imagine how!) but supposedly it is more efficient climbing seated with your hands on the tops.

I'm almost never in the drops, but did find occasion to use them the other day in a vain attempt to get a little extra into a headwind. And sometimes on good descents (good sightlines & runout at the bottom).

krazyderek

headwinds, and when i start pushing 40km/h and higher, i don't know why you'd do it on hills, you already flying, maybe the hills here are just rediculus steap, but i never see the need for drops going down hills since my hands are usualy on the brakes to try and slow down (bad drivers never look before backing out of driveways around here)

ADA23

Great thread, I rarely use mine cos my gut gets in the way

Murrays

Just my thought, if you feel "weird" (unbalanced perhaps?) you are wasting a perfectly good position. After getting a new frame and a professional fit, I felt comfortable cornering at speed in my drops for the first time.

My advice would be to get fit or at least change your bars a bit so your drops position is closer to your hoods position. You might be able to get shallower drop bars, shorter stem, etc.

Bottom line, if you use your drops more (and it’s comfortable) you’ll have more options for your hands and fatigue less.

-murray

jennings780

I use the drops 85% of the time. I find the position using the drops to be at least as comfortable as the tops and when you get used to the drops you really notice the wind resistance when you move to the tops.

Old Gammy Leg

Maybe I should clarify... I am perfectly comfortable riding in the drops for extended periods, I think they are great. When I say 'sprinting' I mean standing up out of the saddle and riding as hard as possible. Maybe my definition of sprinting is worng, and it does not always involve standing up...? this is the only time I'm not completely happy in the drops.