Originally Posted by
terrymorse
I sure hope you don't descend steep mountain roads on the hoods, simply because "it's never been an issue". Yet.
As I've been doing it for 40 years, I doubt that it will ever be an issue.
Originally Posted by
terrymorse
I have two words for you "pot hole". Hit those unexpectedly on a fast descent, and you'll be thankful you descend only in the drops.
I've hit potholes as well. Still not an issue. Frankly, I don't see how your bicycle position would have any effect when hitting a pothole at any speed. The pothole is momentary. You aren't going to be able to brake to avoid it (for the most part) nor will you need the brakes after you hit it.
Originally Posted by
terrymorse
I have three other words for you "center of gravity". It's lower when you're in the drops, so you can brake harder while staying in control.
An argument could be made that being in the drops puts the CG too far forward on a hill and would make it harder to brake without going over the bars. In the drops, the rider also can't push back of the saddle as well nor as far. That has more of an effect on braking then moving the CG forward and down on an incline. That's the reason you don't find drop bars on mountain bikes. Those bikes are braked from nearly the same position as if braking from the hoods.