braking in the drops

[Eden]

I agree with Deb - it seems to be trendy these days to tilt the bars way up - I have no idea why.... but that is how shops put them together now.

I prefer the bottom of the drops to be horizontal (otherwise I always feel like my hands are sliding down them) and the brake hoods to be level as well.

It also may take some getting used to. Many people feel like they have a hard time with the drop when they first start riding a road bike. I have small hands and I have always used regular levers (as old as I am, there was no such thing as short reach anything when I was learning to ride....). I don't feel like I have any trouble reaching my brakes ever, probably because I am accustomed to it.

[roadie gal]

3+ on moving the brake levers down or rotating the handlebars so that the hoods are flat across from the top of the handlebars rather than above the bars.

Do you have a bike shop that you can bring the bike into that can do a fitting for you? They may be able to look and see if there are other problems in the fit that is making it difficult for you to reach the brakes.

[Trek420]

I agree with Eden who agrees with Deb. My LBS built the bike with the brake hoods level. I'm rarely in the drops unless climbing or accelerating but even then I mostly ride from the top of the bars or the hoods. I'm comfortable braking from the hoods with just two fingers. It's a rare day that I have to grab a handful of brake but if so I do I can do it from there. My hands are very small and yet this works for me.