Time on the drops

[MickeyBlueEyes]

Bit of both for me. Dependant on road layout, traffic, who I'm chasing :-)
I find the drops comfy on long sections where you can get into a rhythm and maintain a good speed. Hoods when climbing, tops when having a bimble or my body asks for a bit of a breather.

 

[GrasB]

In theory on the drops with your arms bent 90 degrees you should, end up with a fairly horizontal surface for the air to flow over. This shape should be maintainable for a reasonable period (10-15min). However due to the current fit fashion, low & long bike in combination with deep drop bars, usually the drops are too low, meaning they're less aerodynamic & so the position pictured above is actually better.

To answer your question, you normally don't expect to stay for long periods on the drops due to long term comfort & efficiency reasons.

 

[cyberknight]

In theory on the drops with your arms bent 90 degrees you should, end up with a fairly horizontal surface for the air to flow over. This shape should be maintainable for a reasonable period (10-15min). However due to the current fit fashion, low & long bike in combination with deep drop bars, usually the drops are too low, meaning they're less aerodynamic & so the position pictured above is actually better.

To answer your question, you normally don't expect to stay for long periods on the drops due to long term comfort & efficiency reasons.

I do feel more aero when holding the hoods as i shown rather than on the drops , something about arms being more in line with thighs rather than elbows outside of knees when in the drops ?
Its all non scientific off course.

 

[Spoked Wheels]

I have a set of compact handlebars and they are set about 1" lower than my saddle so I spend long periods on the drops. I like it like this cause when I'm riding through traffic I feel more comfortable on the hoods.

 

[Voyley]

I think of it the same as climbing really, try to mix it up when I kind of switch off and my pace drops. I like to ride to the conditions and if you hit a head wind, then get into the drops and tuck yourself in, if your on a flat and want to push the pace then again tuck in and pump the legs. But for me a balance of out of the saddle, hands on hoods and in the drops makes for a well rounded ride. If you do the same route regularly then why not mix it up to see how you get on.

Heres a question I'm not sure on though, what about out of the saddle and in the drops for some short hill sprints I tend to flit into and out of doing this but not sure which is better or if there is even a difference.

 

[ThinAir]

I spend most of my time on the hoods,.. No idea why though, but I do seem to think it might be an apissue to do with control, as in I don't feel I have as much if it when I am riding on the drops, but when I do use them for any length of iti me, I do notice that my speeds seem to be a bit quicker, but I will usually on use them if it's a long straight road.