The legs that this thread has are amazing... cudo's to the OP!
Pickettt, you have it right. No matter the intellectual arguing that could go on forever, the acid test is to just look out on the streets and see what people are actually doing. Hard to argue with reality.
Originally Posted by
terrymorse
What's the matter, is there something wrong with your neck? Because my range of vision is the same on the hoods and the hooks. Oh wait, I can see slightly more of the sky when on the hoods. That's helpful.
Since many accidents occur at slow to moderate speeds, riding in a manner to reduce the chance of accidents is prudent.
Terry, you're just going in circles trying to justify your preference as something
other. First you argue it's the best for maximum control on fast descents and now it's preferred for slow to moderate speeds. No one, not even the pros, unless they are trying to win an internet argument, agrees with that. It's why most people, even those competing in the TdF or the rough conditions of Roubiax, use the hoods A LOT. It's more energy efficient and relaxed over distance.
People don't stay in the drops over extended periods at slow to moderate speeds because it does put more strain on the body than riding on the hoods - that's why even the pros use the hoods, most of the time. They conserve their bodies for the few times drops do make a difference. When pros sprint or do high speed descents/corners they may go to the drops, but if the average recreational rider doesn't sprint or descend rapidly like that they have no need for the drops. Hence the original observation and question. The fact that you see most people riding the hoods, most of the time, and not the drops, shows that.