How often do you ride on the drops?

[Kermit power]

Every now and then, someone on here will recommend against Sora shifters on the grounds that you can only change gears in one direction when you're riding on the drops. This got more wondering how much time people actually spend on the drops, and why?

My memory as a kid back in the 80s was of most people riding on the drops most of the time but now, at least on my commute and on weekend rides around the Surrey hills, the vast majority of people seem to be on the hoods the whole time. Obviously back when I was young you would have to take your hand off the bars to change gear anyway, but is that the only real difference?

[ewenm]

Hoods most of the time for me. All the controls at my fingertips and I find it more comfortable than the drops.

[S10GTA]

Hoods 99.9% of the time (so I picked never) but very very occasionally when going balls out sprint style will I use the drops.

[Comfortably Dumb]

Judging by the group rides I do, way more than average. Maybe I need a bike with more aggressive geometry.

[littleandy0410]

If you asked me a year ago, I'd have answered 'occasionally', but since a physio has shown me how to sort my lower back issues out, I can now comfortably ride most of the time on the drops.

[CaptainSlow]

In recent weeks I'm using the drops much more as I'm commuting rather than longer weekend rides. Also using the larger chain ring much more now. I guess there is a connection as my speed has increased.

[TonyHetherington]

as much as I can. Makes me feel far more cool than I really am

[GaryGlitter]

Drops when on the front of the club ride, descending or sprinting for road signs.

Hoods when in the bunch or starting to go uphill.

Tops when faced with a nice long climb.

Each to their own!

[Vocal Minority]

Occasionally for me - when getting a real shove on I will - but I need to drop a bit of weight as I keep kneeing myself in my wobbly gut. Hoods is generally just more relaxed.

[Steve vRS]

Hoods almost all the time. Drops when reaching escape velocity

I never use the straight sections of bar.

Steve

[TwistingMyMelon]

GaryGlitter said:

Drops when on the front of the club ride, descending or sprinting for road signs.

Hoods when in the bunch or starting to go uphill.

Tops when faced with a nice long climb.

Each to their own!

Same! If im doing short interval/flat out rides, i'll be on them most of the time, longer 40+ milers maybe 25-30%

[AyBee]

Sometimes but prefer to ride on the hoods.

Di2 allows gear changes up and down while on the drops

[TonyHetherington]

Vocal Minority said:

but I need to drop a bit of weight as I keep kneeing myself in my wobbly gut.

I'm a skinny chap, but one day my knee hit my gut and I thought "that's not done that before!!!!". That was the motivation I needed to lose 16kg

[shouldbworking]

Daft question, it depends entirely on the situation. Climbing? not going to be on the drops compressing my diaphragm. Descending? I'll be on the drops for better braking control, weight distribution and aerodynamics. Pootling? Probably on the hoods. Headwind? I'll probably be on the drops trying to hide from it..

[robpearson]

I only use them occasionally for exactly the reason stated in the original question, I have Sora shifters, and they are a bugger to use on the drops.

[geordieracer]

A lot. But I am riding a 1980s 'racer' complete with d/t shifters.

And I don't care... Because I love it!

[paulmon]

shouldbworking said:

Daft question, it depends entirely on the situation. Climbing? not going to be on the drops compressing my diaphragm. Descending? I'll be on the drops for better braking control, weight distribution and aerodynamics. Pootling? Probably on the hoods. Headwind? I'll probably be on the drops trying to hide from it..

This pretty much covers it. If I'm training then the only time I don't ride on the drops is going uphill, warm up, cool down and through towns and congested areas.

P

[scubadude]

Some clear Rule #23 breaches...

I have Sora shifters (for my sins) but since your "shouldn't" be shifting in the drops whats the problem?

I only used to get down there on descents and into headwinds but have been training myself to go there anytime I can, as the belly fat drops off its more comfortable and noticably faster.
(Coming from a recumbent the road bike is boringly slow anywhere but uphill, I'll never equal the speed I used to get downhill but I am getting back to the same sprint speed in the flat)

[AndyDRZ]

I don't have a road bike yet so skipped to the results.
Interesting that most people hardly ever use them.
Do you think this is a sign that the roadbikes are too extreme.

Eg, if you had a more relaxed bike, would you use the drops more? This could mean that a less sporty frame works better as you actually use the drops and so end up in a more aero position than the hoods of a race bike?

[AMG01]

Only just got back into cycling and never had a road bike before all new to me. Starting to use the drops more and more, on descents and when pushing on and in headwinds, I would guess there use will continue to increase.