Does riding in the drops use more energy?
#1
Goofy Goober
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 330
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Does riding in the drops use more energy?
Is it more of a comfort issue with having to bend farther down? I would think that riding on the hoods would use more energy than the drops because of the aerodynamic disadvantage (With the exception of climbing hills). I am comfortable with staying in the drops for prolonged periods of time, so should I if want better endurance?
#2
Senior Member
No riding the drops doesn't use more energy. It saves energy because of the aerodynamic advantage. If you can stay on the drops for an extended period, you are doing yourself a favour.
We can all do with better endurance and power output.
We can all do with better endurance and power output.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 9,201
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1186 Post(s)
Liked 289 Times
in
177 Posts
Is it more of a comfort issue with having to bend farther down? I would think that riding on the hoods would use more energy than the drops because of the aerodynamic disadvantage (With the exception of climbing hills). I am comfortable with staying in the drops for prolonged periods of time, so should I if want better endurance?
#5
total Newbie
i used to only ride in the drops on my descents because of my horrible flexibility, but i am riding them more and more now and getting used to it.
i find i put out a quicker average speed when i spend more time in the drops. Last year was the first year where i'd spend at the very least half of my ride in drop position. This year i'm hoping to spend even more time as i continue to build my flex and strengthen my back.
i find i put out a quicker average speed when i spend more time in the drops. Last year was the first year where i'd spend at the very least half of my ride in drop position. This year i'm hoping to spend even more time as i continue to build my flex and strengthen my back.
#6
The Weird Beard
Join Date: May 2005
Location: COS
Posts: 8,554
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Riding in drops hurts my nards. And before you all go speculating on my fit, its just how I am. Used to be I avoided the drops because I cared what people thought and didn't want to look like I was trying to be Dennis Christopher behind a truck.
Now, it's only for headwinds and steep, familiar descents.
Now, it's only for headwinds and steep, familiar descents.
#7
Still can't climb
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Limey in Taiwan
Posts: 23,024
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
6 Posts
hurts my GERD. I wonder if a smaller belly would help.
__________________
coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
#8
Northern Rider
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 435
Bikes: 1999 Litespeed Tuscany 105, 2007 Marin Palisades Trail, 2006 Burley Duet tandem
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 115 Post(s)
Liked 811 Times
in
203 Posts
I feel more in control on the hoods (better for steering and access to the brakes, for me at least) so use them and bend my elbows on the faster downhills. I find the drops have greatest benefit against the wind.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
228 Posts
Well sure, you're not going to get in the drops and ride slow are you? I don't know about you but I'd feel foolish - I go harder in the drops and grab the hoods when I'm slacking off. So the drops do use more energy.
#12
Riding the bike I love.
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,011
Bikes: Marinano Delta
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
This might be what your looking for: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...Bike-Positions
check out the racing section sometime soon.... a lot of stuff goin' on there..
check out the racing section sometime soon.... a lot of stuff goin' on there..
#13
Riding the bike I love.
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,011
Bikes: Marinano Delta
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i used to only ride in the drops on my descents because of my horrible flexibility, but i am riding them more and more now and getting used to it.
i find i put out a quicker average speed when i spend more time in the drops. Last year was the first year where i'd spend at the very least half of my ride in drop position. This year i'm hoping to spend even more time as i continue to build my flex and strengthen my back.
i find i put out a quicker average speed when i spend more time in the drops. Last year was the first year where i'd spend at the very least half of my ride in drop position. This year i'm hoping to spend even more time as i continue to build my flex and strengthen my back.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 86
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I use the drops no flats and steep descents. I do a lot of roads with a 15-25% slope....I can't generate enough stopping power on the hoods to keep this under control.
With a properly fitted bike and flexible rider, the drops are appreciably faster. If drops are less efficient, probably bad fit or lack of flexibility. But working on flexibility has proven to be a lot of fun for me!
With a properly fitted bike and flexible rider, the drops are appreciably faster. If drops are less efficient, probably bad fit or lack of flexibility. But working on flexibility has proven to be a lot of fun for me!
#15
total Newbie
Isn't it good to switch it up every once and a while though? I've heard that between the two positions, you use slightly different muscles, so if you switch it up a bit you can give them a little break. Now I know this might not matter at all on shorter rides, but for long endurance races like 100+ kms it would benifit at times no?
#16
Senior Member
I find it interesting that people use the drops so much on descents, when they really don't really need to be on the drops, yet are happy to expend more energy than is needed on flat roads by riding on the hoods.
And before you drop a bundle on me, I am as guilty as the rest of you. But I am trying to change that on my road bike (as opposed to touring bike).
And before you drop a bundle on me, I am as guilty as the rest of you. But I am trying to change that on my road bike (as opposed to touring bike).
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Posts: 2,318
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
If you started riding in the 70s, when bikes had those horrible non-ergonomic hoods, you got used to riding in the drops.
Even today, when I break out the winter bike, an 80s vintage Schwinn, I'm on the drops 90% of the time. I could get brakes with more comfortable hoods, but it's a back-up/winter bike. There's only so much I'm gonna spend on it.
Even today, when I break out the winter bike, an 80s vintage Schwinn, I'm on the drops 90% of the time. I could get brakes with more comfortable hoods, but it's a back-up/winter bike. There's only so much I'm gonna spend on it.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,456
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 50 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I find it interesting that people use the drops so much on descents, when they really don't really need to be on the drops, yet are happy to expend more energy than is needed on flat roads by riding on the hoods.
And before you drop a bundle on me, I am as guilty as the rest of you. But I am trying to change that on my road bike (as opposed to touring bike).
And before you drop a bundle on me, I am as guilty as the rest of you. But I am trying to change that on my road bike (as opposed to touring bike).
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 1,043
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Drops is actually more aero at higher speed. The downside is I find my hands get strained quickly if I don't pedal hard enough. So when I get into the drops, you see me spinning like an addict even though that was not intentional at all...
Last edited by CenturionIM; 01-07-13 at 11:17 PM.
#22
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,528
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3886 Post(s)
Liked 1,938 Times
in
1,383 Posts
And it depends on how one rides in the drops. I see many riders using the drops with little or no elbow bend. They'd actually be faster on the hoods with their forearms horizontal. Cylinders have terrible wind resistance. If you're going to make the effort to ride in the drops, get deep into them and bend your elbows. I descend that way in the drops unless I'm trying to go slow.
I agree about the vintage thing. When I was a kid, I always rode in the drops. Now I'm more likely to do the level forearm thing on the hoods.
Clip-ons are the way to really get the energy down. I'm higher with clip-ons then in the drops with a full tuck, but I descend faster because of having hidden arms. It took me a long time to realize that, because it doesn't feel faster.
I agree about the vintage thing. When I was a kid, I always rode in the drops. Now I'm more likely to do the level forearm thing on the hoods.
Clip-ons are the way to really get the energy down. I'm higher with clip-ons then in the drops with a full tuck, but I descend faster because of having hidden arms. It took me a long time to realize that, because it doesn't feel faster.
#23
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,528
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3886 Post(s)
Liked 1,938 Times
in
1,383 Posts
This might be what your looking for: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...Bike-Positions
check out the racing section sometime soon.... a lot of stuff goin' on there..
check out the racing section sometime soon.... a lot of stuff goin' on there..
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 354
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
See the left photo in the hoods section, and how his wrist is resting on the top of the bar? I use bars with a bend and brifter placement that has my forearm almost horizontal when I'm doing that. So then look up at the left photo in the drops section. See how, if his bars were bent like I'm saying, he could move his hands to his hoods without changing his back angle, but thereby reducing the wind resistance of his forearm. Anybody else do that?
When descending something steep enough that I spin out my biggest gear (50x12) I will grab the bars in the drops at the section that is perpendicular to the road and get low enough that my forearms are parallel to the road. If I'm not cornering, I set the crank arms parallel to the road and very lightly squeeze the top tube with my knees. My chin is normally about 2 to 3" from my stem in this position. Haven't gotten up the cojones to try the pro, sit on the top tube, grab the tops, and bite the stem position yet, but the position that I first described was good for about 64 mph on the gnarliest descent in my area. In a regular drops position I only made it to 57 mph, and on the hoods it was barely 50 mph.
#25
total Newbie
I find it interesting that people use the drops so much on descents, when they really don't really need to be on the drops, yet are happy to expend more energy than is needed on flat roads by riding on the hoods.
And before you drop a bundle on me, I am as guilty as the rest of you. But I am trying to change that on my road bike (as opposed to touring bike).
And before you drop a bundle on me, I am as guilty as the rest of you. But I am trying to change that on my road bike (as opposed to touring bike).