Get on the drops.

[S-Express]

Keep going......

I only said Campag as that's the only one which you can't fully operate from the drops. Either that, or you ride old-style Sora...

 

[MikeG]

I don't want to overstate it. I can operate brakes and gears from the drops, but it is fingertip-only, and certainly less easy than up on the hoods...........and I've got big hands. I have a Roubaix with, from memory, Shimano 105s.

 

[cyberknight]

I was wondering why you don't see as many riders on the drops anymore.................

http://bikeretrogrouch.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/changing-positions.html

 

[Welsh wheels]

It was quite windy today with occasional hail stones, so I spent nearly the whole of the ride on the drops fighting the wind, it was fantastic and easier.........................

I was wondering why you don't see as many riders on the drops anymore.................

I ride on the drops if I'm pushing the pace but most of the time I prefer the hoods because you are more visible to traffic. I rode around a roundabout on the drops once and a car nearly knocked me off. He simply didn't see me because I was low down.

 

[Bollo]

I don't want to overstate it. I can operate brakes and gears from the drops, but it is fingertip-only, and certainly less easy than up on the hoods...........and I've got big hands. I have a Roubaix with, from memory, Shimano 105s.

Di2 sprint shifters. Gear change of the gods.

 

[tyred]

Stuffed neck. I'll maybe get on the drops occasionally after I have another lot of radio-frequency denervation done. Until then, it's bad enough up on the hoods.

Besides, if bikes were meant to be ridden on the drops, they'd redesign the gear-and-brake levers...........

I find it easier to change gear from the drops...

I have all the flexibility of a piece of 2" box iron but still can ride comfortably in the drops. The problem I find is that I end up overlooking the tops of my specs and either end up with a sore neck or I can't really see where I am going.

 

[ColinJ]

I only said Campag as that's the only one which you can't fully operate from the drops. Either that, or you ride old-style Sora...

Both types are a bit trickier from the drops than normal Shimano but unless you have very short or weak thumbs then operation is still possible - I do it on most rides.

Well, strictly speaking, from the downward part of the drops. I don't tend to ride on the bottom of the drops.

 

[Lozz360]

It was quite windy today with occasional hail stones, so I spent nearly the whole of the ride on the drops fighting the wind, it was fantastic and easier.........................

I was wondering why you don't see as many riders on the drops anymore.................

Modern bikes tend to have their handlebars set lower than the "racers" of before. The popular view is that riding with hands on the brake hoods is the default position. Riding on the drops will then be used only when descending and going fast or into a head wind.

 

[johnnyb47]

I find using the drops more comfortable than the the hoods.My wrists tend to ache more using the hoods. Around town though i rarely use the drops as i find it safer not to ,and can get on the brakes much quicker with hands positioned on the hoods.

 

[screenman]

I find using the drops more comfortable than the the hoods.My wrists tend to ache more using the hoods. Around town though i rarely use the drops as i find it safer not to ,and can get on the brakes much quicker with hands positioned on the hoods.

Often wrist pain comes from having the goods too low, you often see in on the bikes in shop, rotating the bars very slightly to bring the goods closer often helps.

 

[johnnyb47]

It has crossed my mind that hoods on my bike are slightly to low sometimes. I think i will give the bars a quick tweek tonight and see how things go. It as if my wrists are slightly over angled .

 

[Drago]

I find it easier to change gear from the drops...
View attachment 349410

I'm just re-learning that skill...slowly!

Nice looking bike. Yours?

 

[Venod]

or into a head wind.

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/get-on-the-drops.217461/#post-4776645

 

[vickster]

It has crossed my mind that hoods on my bike are slightly to low sometimes. I think i will give the bars a quick tweek tonight and see how things go. It as if my wrists are slightly over angled .

Flip the stem?

 

[tyred]

I'm just re-learning that skill...slowly!

Nice looking bike. Yours?

Unfortunately not mine. A random picture grabbed from the net which is easier than walking out to the shed and photographing mine!