Quick primer on drop bars?

[Cassandra_Cain]

Hi Lauren - congratulations on getting that Bianchi

You may hear some other names for these but one common set would be (in order of increasing reach):

tops
hoods (or brake hoods)
drops

I think using these is fairly individual and can oftentimes depend on your set-up (low seat, high seat, long stem, short stem, etc).

I use the tops & hoods while climbing as I feel I breathe much better and get more leverage - though some folks do well on the drops.

For flat riding I will gravitate more towards the hoods and drops, but at times will use the tops, especially if I am going at a moderate pace.

Enjoy your new bike and drop bars