Getting comfortable with the drops

[Owlie]

The best way to get more comfortable with the drops is to use them. That said, I don't use them very often, except on descents. I'm usually on the hoods or just behind them.

[ny biker]

This is a very timely thread for me. I never used to ride in the drops. I felt very uncomfortable riding that way with my old (non-WSD) road bike and had trouble getting my hands around the brake levers.

My current bike is a WSD model, with different frame geometry and smaller handlebars. About a month ago I read an old blog item about getting aero in the drops by Chris Carmichael. So on my next ride I decided to give it a try.

It turns out to be quite comfortable for me now. I have no trouble handling the bike, shifting or braking. I can tell that I use different leg muscles in that position vs riding on the hoods or with my hands on top of the bar, but I think that's a good thing. It's definitely a better position for riding in the wind. The only problem has been a bit of saddle chafing.

So if you find that having your hands on the hoods is comfortable but being in the drops is awkward, make sure the bike and handlebars are the right size so that you're not reaching too far forward.

If the fit is right, then just practice. Find a straight flat stretch of road or bike path that is not crowded, and ride in the drops for a couple of minutes. When you've done that enough to feel more comfortable, try staying in that position longer. You'll get used to it.

When I get home later I'll try to find that Carmichael blog.

[Irulan]

The best way to get more comfortable with the drops is to use them. That said, I don't use them very often, except on descents. I'm usually on the hoods or just behind them.

I hardly use mine either. I find the best position is on the hoods or just behind them.

[TigerMom]

I learned to ride on the drops because the hills in my complex have steepness grades ranging from 4% to 40% (per Google Earth). I was new at biking and didn't want to go down hill more than 10 miles per hour. The only way to brake slow enough was for me to use the drops (you can squeeze the brakes stronger on the drops than on the hoods). So, I was forced to use the drops and now I feel that I have much better braking control.

Also, I learned that going downhill, your feet should be even (at 3:00 and 9:00) for better balance and that you use your thighs to squeeze the saddle for better control if the bike shimmies/wobbles. You can also move your buttock a little bit more towards the rear of the saddle when you ride downhill on the drops.

I'm a newbie, so take my advice with a "grain of salt". Now I go probably 40mph (which scares the crap out of me still) as I scan the road for objects that can flip my bike over and for cars.
____________________________________

2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[OakLeaf]

Don't underestimate the importance of fit.

If your bike was originally set up on the assumption that you'd never be using the drops, it may not fit you all that well in that posture. It may be worth a new fitting.

I have one stem that makes riding comfortable for me on the hoods, and a different one that makes riding comfortable for me in the drops. Either stem is okay in the opposite posture, but each is notably better in one. I'm not sure if that's normal, or if it means there's something else going on that can be fixed ... or that my frame doesn't fit me as well as it ought ...

[Jo-n-NY]

I agree with the fit and geometry of the bike. There is a huge difference in the changes that were made from my 2007 Specialized Ruby to now. I was never comfortable in the drops on this bike. I can just speak for Specialized only but over the last few years they have made huge differences on their women's bike (can't speak for mens either). The handle bars are more compact and the drop part is a little longer then on the 07 Ruby. The Dolce I won is the same size as the Ruby but I am very comfortable riding in the drops when need be. I even reach the hoods better. I did got a size smaller in the Amira and so glad I did. All positions are comfortable. I had to get in the drops yesterday as we had a long stretch of road way in a head wind. I would have not been able to stay in the drops on the Ruby, I was in the drops the whole stretch of a couple of miles on the Amira.

[Sky King]

The Bike Hermit spent two hours with one of our female customers yesterday on picking out different drop bars for a Lemond bike she found on Craigslist. All drop bars are not created equal. Don't be afraid to take your bike to your favorite shop and try different handlebars, yes it take some time but can be worth it. We have several different drop bars in stock for that reason. We have several posts about handlebars and stems on our website if you want to do any more research.
I ride the Nitto Grand Randonneur b135's and like the way the ramp is designed