MacBludgeon said:
this may be a dumb question but why are drops so prevalent when so many people seem to avoid actually using them? Wouldn't a different style of bar, brake levers and shifters be more appropriate?
Maybe because most people have their bars too low in the first place. There is a "sweet spot" for most people, even for creaky old farts like me.
As I've reiterated endlessly here, most modern, off-the-peg bikes have the steerer cut too low for all but racers and racer wanabees (who'll never admit they're uncomfortable).
Sure, the hoods are going to be where we spend most time, but it should also be comfortable in the drops when we want to duck a headwind, are on the front of the paceline, or want a downhill thrill.
There is a compromise that can be achieved. It doesn't have to be an all or "other" decision. If you aren't using all the positions drops afford (that's their advantage in the first place) then try raising the bar with a longer steerer (ie. new fork needed) or installing a hi-rise stem and/or shorter stem. The new "short and shallow bars also help, by shortening both reach and drop.
See example of these and longer steerer on my
Sportivo "Randonnee."
Finally, for some people, and for some uses, yes, different bars would be more appropriate.
giving up my carbon lever blades or paying £200ish for Chorus FB Ergos...which hardly anyone sells anyway, c) an endless quest for the right new position on my Colnago
