Talk to me about drops

[OakLeaf]

Mine are pretty shallow, I think?

Looks that way, yeah, even a bit shorter and shallower than my Ritchey Biomax Pro, which are a LOT shallower than the ITM Elle that came on my bike.

[BluOrchid2]

(what the heck are drops and hoods???)

[Norse]

Ditto the reasons everyone else gave. It did take me awhile though to feel comfortable using them. The first year of my current road bike, I probably spent only 5% of the time in the drops. As I progressed, it seemed more and more natural to use them. Now it's almost 50-50 drops vs. hoods, although every now and then I will ride for a little bit on the bar tops, just to sit up for a moment and give my body yet another position - I only do this when it looks certain that I won't need to brake. Of course, that's the time when a squirrel decides to dart out in front of me.

[tulip]

(what the heck are drops and hoods???)

drops are the curvy part of the handlebar. The lower part.

hoods are the brake hoods--the part between the actual bar and the brake levers (and shifters, if you have that setup).

CLICK HERE and scroll down to Drop Bars for the positions (second set of photos)

[lizbinsocali]

I got my first road bike in February and the drops were scary at first for me too. But all the the reasons mentioned earlier, I agree, the drops now feel comfortable to me. I also notice I can pedal faster and with more power when I'm in the drops (feels like my glutes are being used more??), so more speed. It took me awhile to get used to handling and balancing the road bike and being in the drops felt weird. But now it's more comfy, and more fun when descending over 30 mph!!

Enjoy your new bike!
L

[TrekTheKaty]

I'm going to start practicing!