Bradley Wiggins won on the hoods

[peanut]

Couldn't find the original thread I started last year but there have been others on this subject. I stated that i have never ridden in the drops in 25 years of cycling and that started quite a lively debate as I recall

I was very interested to see that Bradley Wiggins rode the entire Beaumont Trophy race on the hoods and won

At times he simply balanced his forearms on the bar tops with his fingers on the hoods like a tri position.

Wilkinson also rode most of the race on the hoods
Neither of them had a particularly aerodynamic position in fact Wiggins looked practically upright at times .

 

[gbb]

After about 8 years of serious cycling, countless years of short commuting on a Carlton Continental etc...until late last year, i'd never rode on drops either
Never felt the need. Then i went through a phase of trying to up my average speed...bugger it, try the drops. I was amazed

I also lean my forearms on the handlebars, hands either loosely clasped together 'tri style' in front, or sometimes (safer option) twist the wrists and hold the hoods (forearms still on the handlebars).

It can be dodgy tho...i once decided to get upright from having my hands loosely clasped, and caught the hood as i got up...result...me nearly in the dyke

 

[peanut]

It can be dodgy tho...i once decided to get upright from having my hands loosely clasped, and caught the hood as i got up...result...me nearly in the dyke

bet that woke you up

I have tried the drops but I am too heavy and put too much weight on the bars .It then makes steering very difficult plus my knees hit my not inconsiderable belly

 

[Davidc]

Strange - I don't have drop bars at present and can't wait to have a bike with them again.

Of little or no value in town but I've always used the drops when going up serious hills, and when against a headwind. I also find they give good aerodynamic position when going downhill on the brakes.

More importantly there are a variety of riding positions, and by changing between them it avoids cramp, pins and needles, tight wrists and so on. Just plain comfortable.

 

[peanut]

yes good reach on the brake levers was one of the most common reasons stated in the last extensive thread on this subject. Fortunately for me I have large strong hands and can brake from the hoods. Plus my Sora gears are impossible for me to reach from the drops .
I love fast descents and even on some minor hills around here reach 38mph but never on the drops.

 

[fossyant]

TBH, on the flat, I use the hoods, I also find I can flex the wrist inwards to move my lower arm and elbows in, hence more aero. My bikes do have a long reach though - that's how I like it - I also find there is no weight supported by my hands - the back takes it.

Downhill, then it's drops, or 'going for it'.....

Lot's of options with drops.....