Are Drop bars just an illusion for most?
#401
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I know exactly what trail braking is, and I think to some extent we're all doing it unconsciously when entering any corner, because none of us are apexing every corner. This goes back to bicycles basically not going fast enough to overcome available grip.
But I will say with some certainty that any corner you're trail braking into could be taken faster on a bicycle by taking the straightest line without braking. Racing vehicles are basically never coasting. They're either accelerating or braking.
There seems to be a lot of conflating bicycles with motorcycles happening in this thread, and the similarities largely end at both having two wheels. When I'm exiting a corner, I don't have +150hp between my knees, just a couple of water bottles.
On a bicycle that isn't on a velodrome, exit speed is almost completely determined by the speed carried through the corner. You're either coasting and leaning, or pedaling through. There are limitations as to how much of each any of us can do.
But I will say with some certainty that any corner you're trail braking into could be taken faster on a bicycle by taking the straightest line without braking. Racing vehicles are basically never coasting. They're either accelerating or braking.
There seems to be a lot of conflating bicycles with motorcycles happening in this thread, and the similarities largely end at both having two wheels. When I'm exiting a corner, I don't have +150hp between my knees, just a couple of water bottles.
On a bicycle that isn't on a velodrome, exit speed is almost completely determined by the speed carried through the corner. You're either coasting and leaning, or pedaling through. There are limitations as to how much of each any of us can do.
#403
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I submit that if you are able to coast through a curve without braking, you scrubbed off more speed than you needed to before the turn, and your exit speed is lower than it could be. That’s true for a bicycle, motorcycle, or race car.
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For most riding situations you don't need more than two hand positions and there are plenty of other types of handle bars besides drop bars that offer multiple hand positions and comfort.
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Since you say that it's as effective as dragging our feet, have you never use the brakes from the hoods? You always drop down to the drops in every braking situation? Sorry but I don't need swamp land in Florida.
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Because I'm just a schmuck who races bikes on the weekends, why should anyone take my advice? Whereas pros who hone their craft and get paid probably have a good idea of what works and wouldn't use a position like the hoods if it really was as bad as you claim it to be.
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Because I'm just a schmuck who races bikes on the weekends, why should anyone take my advice? Whereas pros who hone their craft and get paid probably have a good idea of what works and wouldn't use a position like the hoods if it really was as bad as you claim it to be.
#414
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For most riding situations you don't need more than two hand positions and there are plenty of other types of handle bars besides drop bars that offer multiple hand positions and comfort.
As a kid, I used one hand position on single- and 3-speed bikes. Now I like to use a bunch of positions from time to time. I normally use 3 hand positions. You don't think I need them? Not my problem.
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the rest of us are not surprised. You've spent years Manhandling the brake lever from the hoods, because that was the only way to stop from the hoods.
Now that the market offers better brakes, you still have no modulation because your habit is full on brake.
My problem, since you asked. Is that you think your previous lack of ability to apply power from the hoods is seen as modulation by you, and that you promote this hood braking on descents as sound bicycling on a forum. Which does not promote safe riding for riders that are learning.
Now that the market offers better brakes, you still have no modulation because your habit is full on brake.
My problem, since you asked. Is that you think your previous lack of ability to apply power from the hoods is seen as modulation by you, and that you promote this hood braking on descents as sound bicycling on a forum. Which does not promote safe riding for riders that are learning.
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so I never once said it was bad. BAD was your stigma and label.
yet you dishonestly apply it as I said it?
yet you dishonestly apply it as I said it?
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I just stated what is about hood braking. It's a lever if you want better modulation then Move farther away from the fulcrum. better modulation
Super simple science. Is it bad, is it good... you decide. That won't change it from what it is though.
Super simple science. Is it bad, is it good... you decide. That won't change it from what it is though.
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but hey.... the pro with a sponsor paid mechanic and hydraulic rim brakes that does a completer bike rebuild between races can do it, that makes it an absolute for everyone else that is riding a bike that hasn't seen a mechanic in a year or more? cool argument bro!
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of course that is my opinion, based on the majority of the bikes at large cycling events, bikes sold on craigslist, bikes that come into the shops, half of them can't even lube a chain. glazed pads, dirty rims, dirty pads, pads not toed in right, huge gaps between pads and brake surface.
but hey.... the pro with a sponsor paid mechanic and hydraulic rim brakes that does a completer bike rebuild between races can do it, that makes it an absolute for everyone else that is riding a bike that hasn't seen a mechanic in a year or more? cool argument bro!
but hey.... the pro with a sponsor paid mechanic and hydraulic rim brakes that does a completer bike rebuild between races can do it, that makes it an absolute for everyone else that is riding a bike that hasn't seen a mechanic in a year or more? cool argument bro!
#425
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And here you come out saying "braking while cornering is a bad idea and should be avoided if at all possible".
You are incorrect.
Every skilled descender brakes into curves. It is not only fast, it is safe. Simple physics shows this. I literally brake into every fast turn.
Stop fear mongering.
You are incorrect.
Every skilled descender brakes into curves. It is not only fast, it is safe. Simple physics shows this. I literally brake into every fast turn.
Stop fear mongering.
I'll assume that next you'll argue that you don't need to go through corners at limit of available traction, but why then would you brake while cornering if you don't have to? If the aim is to go through corners safely, why risk it with dividing traction between braking and cornering?
As to using the skilled rider argument, prove it.
Also, a quote straight from wikipedia: "There is risk with trail braking because excessive use of the front brake can result in a loss of grip as the tire's adhesion is split between braking and cornering forces.[6] Effective trail braking requires finesse from the rider, which can be difficult to learn.[6]"
Let me help you with an article aimed towards cyclists, not race car drivers: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/zeps-h...ners-2015.html
There's also something to be said about the differences of loose surface and tarmac riding, which are in fact pretty significant. Said differences affect almost all aspects of riding and so mountain descents and road descents are two very, VERY different things.
Good effort but it's not really relevant for the discussion at hand.
It goes without saying that losing traction on either tire whilst doing a road descent is the last thing one wants. Hence braking with the rear tire whilst cornering is a bad idea.