Handlebar use?

[trickytiger]

Pre-question caveat: I'm sure this question has been asked before, but I think the search function is smarter than me, or I don't use the right lingo!


How do I use all the handlebar positions?

I'm new to road riding... I typically stick my hands on top of the hoods, 'cause I felt most secure there- and now after a few hundred miles I'm wondering when to use what position. I played around with switching my hands on the bars from hoods to drops and back again until I didn't feel like I was going to go down in a big flaming fireball of crashing destruction and twisted aluminum the instant I removed so much as a pinky finger from the hoods. So, now that I can reliably switch around, what do I do?

-Tricky

[Dogmama]

Generally, your most secure position will be at the hoods. You can put your hands on the tops if you want/need to sit up more. Or, you can go into the drops to be more aerodynamic.

The most important thing is that you have a firm enough grip so that you can control your front wheel if you hit a rock, bump or other nasty thing in the road. Not a death grip, but not a lazy cupped grip either.

[CorsairMac]

You might also be on the tops during a climb so you can keep your chest up and open to breathe. I use the drops for descents and fast cornering and I also tend to be in the drops when "dancing on the pedals" and during takeoffs.

[trickytiger]

Ahhh, yes. So flat/uphill = hoods, downhill = drops? As a general rule?

[Grog]

I alternate hoods and tops on flats, and when I feel like stretching or in a strong headwind, I use the drops (in the deepest part near the brakes if I'm riding near anyone/anything, and once in a while in the flat section of the drops where I can't touch the brakes).

Only hoods uphill. Especially when standing.

Downhill: I suggest never using the hoods on a fast downhill. Only the drops. I have heard a story of hoods coming off the handlebars and it sounds plausible, although rare, to me. So I keep as little weight on them as possible, which would be hard when going downhill. With a little practice (which you can get on the flats), you'll get better steering power and certainly much more braking power and finesse when in the deepest position of the drops (with access to the brakes).

Practice is everything...

[Dogmama]

Downhill: I suggest never using the hoods on a fast downhill. Only the drops. I have heard a story of hoods coming off the handlebars and it sounds plausible, although rare, to me.

It seems like you'd get some warning - like they would feel loose?

I do drops or hoods downhill. If I want to slow down a bit, I'll go to the hoods and let the wind catch my chest & slow me down.

Uphill, hoods or tops. Hoods are nice because you can scoot your butt all the way back on the seat & use your glutes for powering up a hill.

[abarensfeld7]

I think I rode 90% of my mellow 1.5hr ride today on my hoods (flat, flat, flaaaaaat), but that said...

If there's a "bump" in the road (i.e., something steep enough to make you think about changing gearing/position/etc but really short), I'll stay on my hoods and stay on the same gear and just stand up. I've noticed from group rides (when I'm surrounded by cyclists who know soooo much more than me) that this is a common tactic...it allows me to keep up speed because you don't lose any time on gear changes. Plus, getting out of the saddle is just fun!

If it's longer or steeper or just a plain old HILL, I definitely go for the tops of the bars and stay seated. It opens up your breathing and puts your hips in the right place for optimum climbing power. I've talked to some really knowledgeable people about this. I definitely notice that when I go to the tops of my bars I can climb more efficiently. Then mix in a some standing up for variety...

Cheers!

[Grog]

It seems like you'd get some warning - like they would feel loose?

I do drops or hoods downhill. If I want to slow down a bit, I'll go to the hoods and let the wind catch my chest & slow me down.

I wouldn't count on warnings too much. I'm really sure it's a fairly rare problem, but I'd rather take no risk.

As I see it the problem would be on a very fast downhill (like a mile-long 8% for example) where you put a lot of pressure on your hands and may come in need of braking efficiently. My hands feel more securely tight around the handlebar and my fingers more powerful for braking when I'm down on the drops. No slippage possible.

I agree about straightening up to catch the wind more and slow down, though. But I wouldn't risk moving my hands while I'm zooming down at 50 km/h or more.