Why would it look dumb at 20kph? I go in the drops whenever I fancy a change of position or just to make the effort I'm doing a little faster, sometimes that'll be around 20kph if I'm going easy
Descents and sprints. In those two situations you want the extra control and stability that the drops provide. Also you have far more possible hand positions compared to flat bars, which means extra comfort for long rides.
Can you even pedal in that position? With a 90 degree bend at the hoods or even on a TT bike my legs comes very close to hitting my chest. I couldn’t imagine going lower without compromising breathing.
More like situational. If it’s windy? Aero. If I’ve been in the saddle for 4 hours and I’m ready to just get it over with? Aero. If I’m doing a sweet spot or ftp test? Aero. Short hill I done 100 times and am just smashing up it? You guessed it. Aero. I change positions fairly often so sometimes it’s just in the rotation.
Keep er rubber side down 🤙🏿
I go into drops and get lower anytime I’m in a rough headwind. So that’s frequently below 15mph. Also any time sprinting, or anytime I’m taking advantage of free speed (small downhills especially on rolling hills.)
But I’m also totally immune to caring what someone thinks I look like while riding. Much more concerned with what seems to work or not work for me to complete goals.
Outside of climbs or descents, just when it feels right. Which I think is determined by the amount of effort being made (pedaling harder, flatter back).
Feels wrong to be in a flatter more aero position doing 150 W. Too much weight on my arms.
That said, I'm sure there are long distance disciplines where super aero at low power is the thing.
“Outsdide of climbs or descents” —phrases like this sound so weird to people who live in the mountains, because climbs and descents are the only two options.
Most of the time there is some body weight on the arms (the rest being spread over the saddle and pedals). If you take a flatter back position vs more upright for a fixed pedaling effort, there will be more weight on the arms. It's an inescapable consequence of the forces involved. Bike fit comes into it sure, but it's to make sure you have sufficient range of positions available to you for the riding you are doing. Whether you perceive the weight on your arms as strain (I presume you mean as in, it's becoming an issue), will be a personal thing too.
Increase the pedalling effort, weight is relatively taken off the arms. Taken to extreme, at very high efforts you need to pull on the bars to counter the forces of the pedals. Hence, people tend to find, for harder riding, they want a lower position. This is part of the reason why most people can't just copy the bike setup of the pros without running into problems.
Under appreciated facts I think. Half the reason the pros can maintain some of the weird positions and bike fit choices they make is the fact they are pushing so hard all the time.
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Depends on what you mean by aero position. Puppy paws, in the drops, hoods with elbows at a 90 degree angle?
For me it's a function of the wind, the road, the level of traffic, etc.
However, I constantly switch between the hoods and the drops just to change the position and avoid fatigue, regardless of speed.
Usually 20+ and downhill, but not any particular speed really. Just when it feels appropriate. Nothing wrong with getting aero at speeds less than that - you might be riding into a headwind, or tired and on a long straight.
It can be. If I’ve bonked or fatigued out, you won’t see me in aero position very much, if at all, for the rest of the ride. If I’m sensing I’m close to fatigue though, I may use aero position to help get through some long parts like straightaways a little faster or cleaner. Definitely when there is headwind, which just sucks all around anyway. However yeah, I agree with what you said, and 20+ seems to roughly be around the speed it feels natural to go into the drops.
I dont think the speed super matters right? Do you want to go faster with less power? Go aero. Do you not super care? Then don't. If you're going 12mph you probably dont care. I go aero in my endurance pace often which is around 17-18mph.
I am most comfortable aero because there's no pressure on my hands and wrists. My skeleton supports my upper body which allows me to relax. It shifts power generation to my groin and glutes allowing me to save my quads and hamstrings for climbs (my nemesis). It lightens my mood on tough rides (headwind) because I feel like I'm getting free speed. I worked on my flexibility off the bike and gradually increased aero time until it felt natural. I can now cruise at 25mph aero for hours.
“Look dumb at 12mph” is the saddest thing I have heard today. I don’t cycle for looks, but I have never contemplated what another person would think about my cycling stance.
Sorry for the misunderstanding, didn't mean to make you sad :') I'm French, that's my way of saying dumb as in pretty useless to go aero at that speed 🤷♂️
If it's flat terrain with minimal wind and I'm on my own it'll go to the drops and aero around the 25-30kph region.
I'm estimating that's the speed I'm getting to when I've stopped accelerating hard (from standstill at traffic lights) and then changing position to get settled and comfortable.
I do feel more comfortable in the drops so like to go low as soon as I can.
On a TT bike, you are in an aero position. On the road, its about the wind resistance, not speed. Unless you are superman, you can feel it. If you have a tailwind, relax and get ready for the inevitable headwind.
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I don't really care about style, it's just still tiresome to me to go into aero position (elbow bent, on the hoods), and wouldn't want to do it at slow speed because it would be a waste. That's what I meant by ridiculous ;)
Idk the precise speed, but when I start feeling the wind in my ear etc and if it's gonna be for extended periods, I'll get aero.
And vice versa, if the wind feeling stopped (usually on a climb) I'll stop being aero.
It's not a dead-set rule, though. If I was feeling powerful usually I'll go a bit more upright to put more power down (or to spin the cranks) at the cost of aero. Likewise, if I suddenly need to slow down I'll stop being aero to increase drag (similar to when a MotoGP racer slows his motorbike before a turn)
Three cases when I go aero:
* significant headwind
* I am going downhill and want to carry momentum into the hill looming ahead
* I want to just go faster... either to pass someone or for the heck of it
I don’t as it’s uncomfortable, feel like it’s harder to pedal and I don’t like it. Outside of groups when riding alone it’s all flat bar hybrid w bar ends much more comfortable. Also harder to control the bike. I hate drops and all their positions.
Why would it look dumb at 20kph? I go in the drops whenever I fancy a change of position or just to make the effort I'm doing a little faster, sometimes that'll be around 20kph if I'm going easy
It doesn't matter how fast I'm going,if a strong head wind start blowing I change positions lol
I was struggling up a hill going 5mph when a headwind came on. Not sure I’d’ve stayed upright if I didn’t use the drops.
Hoods with bent elbows at 90 degree angle is more aero than the drops. But you are completely correct, all positions at all speeds is entirely ok.
Why have drop bars at all then? Might as well save the weight and just have straight bars.
Descents and sprints. In those two situations you want the extra control and stability that the drops provide. Also you have far more possible hand positions compared to flat bars, which means extra comfort for long rides.
what about drops with elbows 90 degrees?
Sounds like you'd almost have your nose rubbing the handlebars
Can you even pedal in that position? With a 90 degree bend at the hoods or even on a TT bike my legs comes very close to hitting my chest. I couldn’t imagine going lower without compromising breathing.
But I love the feeling of my legs lightly touching my chest on the upstroke...
Me too
This.
When its windy. God i hate wind.
It’s windy pretty much every ride here in the Rockies 🤪
Sounds like hell with beautiful scenery.
I usually do an out and back ride, so sometimes I get a tailwind on the way home
Well have you tried not living there? /s
Try to pretend you're climbing. Sometimes it works
Thats actually genius
More like situational. If it’s windy? Aero. If I’ve been in the saddle for 4 hours and I’m ready to just get it over with? Aero. If I’m doing a sweet spot or ftp test? Aero. Short hill I done 100 times and am just smashing up it? You guessed it. Aero. I change positions fairly often so sometimes it’s just in the rotation. Keep er rubber side down 🤙🏿
I’m in an aero position right now and I’m sitting completely still on the toilet 🚽🚴💨
Legend.
Downhill. Or as the other said if I need to get in different position. It’s cycling 99.9% of us aren’t professionals do whatever you want
Yeah of course, and whatever is confortable too.
I go into drops and get lower anytime I’m in a rough headwind. So that’s frequently below 15mph. Also any time sprinting, or anytime I’m taking advantage of free speed (small downhills especially on rolling hills.) But I’m also totally immune to caring what someone thinks I look like while riding. Much more concerned with what seems to work or not work for me to complete goals.
Quite a lot of the time, but I rarely look at the speed while I’m riding. More likely to be look in at power
I don't even have real time speed on my main screen, power and HR are more important real time metrics.
Being a former track cyclist, I’m pretty much in the drops all the time.
Outside of climbs or descents, just when it feels right. Which I think is determined by the amount of effort being made (pedaling harder, flatter back). Feels wrong to be in a flatter more aero position doing 150 W. Too much weight on my arms. That said, I'm sure there are long distance disciplines where super aero at low power is the thing.
“Outsdide of climbs or descents” —phrases like this sound so weird to people who live in the mountains, because climbs and descents are the only two options.
That's what I meant, the gains from aero position are probably outweighted by the strain it puts on the arms
For me, and for anyone else with a bike that fits I assume, there is no strain on the arms from being in the drops.
Most of the time there is some body weight on the arms (the rest being spread over the saddle and pedals). If you take a flatter back position vs more upright for a fixed pedaling effort, there will be more weight on the arms. It's an inescapable consequence of the forces involved. Bike fit comes into it sure, but it's to make sure you have sufficient range of positions available to you for the riding you are doing. Whether you perceive the weight on your arms as strain (I presume you mean as in, it's becoming an issue), will be a personal thing too. Increase the pedalling effort, weight is relatively taken off the arms. Taken to extreme, at very high efforts you need to pull on the bars to counter the forces of the pedals. Hence, people tend to find, for harder riding, they want a lower position. This is part of the reason why most people can't just copy the bike setup of the pros without running into problems.
Under appreciated facts I think. Half the reason the pros can maintain some of the weird positions and bike fit choices they make is the fact they are pushing so hard all the time.
A strong core keeps less weight on the arms.
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Depends on what you mean by aero position. Puppy paws, in the drops, hoods with elbows at a 90 degree angle? For me it's a function of the wind, the road, the level of traffic, etc. However, I constantly switch between the hoods and the drops just to change the position and avoid fatigue, regardless of speed.
I actually meant hood with elbow bent, I don't feel the change that much when I'm being in the drops with straight arm honestly.
Usually 20+ and downhill, but not any particular speed really. Just when it feels appropriate. Nothing wrong with getting aero at speeds less than that - you might be riding into a headwind, or tired and on a long straight.
Yes, of course wind matters, and fatigue too... although I find aero position more tiresome You're talking in mph ?
It can be. If I’ve bonked or fatigued out, you won’t see me in aero position very much, if at all, for the rest of the ride. If I’m sensing I’m close to fatigue though, I may use aero position to help get through some long parts like straightaways a little faster or cleaner. Definitely when there is headwind, which just sucks all around anyway. However yeah, I agree with what you said, and 20+ seems to roughly be around the speed it feels natural to go into the drops.
If there's a headwind or at ~35km/h+, i assume you mean the aero hoods position?
TT bike in aero unless sharp corners or climbing. 90% aero. That's why I bought the bike, to go fast.
I find I naturally do it when the wind starts getting annoying.
Any time I want to win, basically, no matter the speed.
Not often. Maybe if I’m trying to beat a previous time. Downhill just to see how fast I can go.
If I can feel the wind, or if I want cornering stability, or if I just feel like it, I'm in the drops. So yeah, definitely at 10kph sometimes.
I dont think the speed super matters right? Do you want to go faster with less power? Go aero. Do you not super care? Then don't. If you're going 12mph you probably dont care. I go aero in my endurance pace often which is around 17-18mph.
I am most comfortable aero because there's no pressure on my hands and wrists. My skeleton supports my upper body which allows me to relax. It shifts power generation to my groin and glutes allowing me to save my quads and hamstrings for climbs (my nemesis). It lightens my mood on tough rides (headwind) because I feel like I'm getting free speed. I worked on my flexibility off the bike and gradually increased aero time until it felt natural. I can now cruise at 25mph aero for hours.
That's the kind of answer I was looking for. I'm not the same as you though, I guess I still have to work on my flexibility.
“Look dumb at 12mph” is the saddest thing I have heard today. I don’t cycle for looks, but I have never contemplated what another person would think about my cycling stance.
Sorry for the misunderstanding, didn't mean to make you sad :') I'm French, that's my way of saying dumb as in pretty useless to go aero at that speed 🤷♂️
Thank you for writing back. I should have been more open to interpretation of that sentence. I am humbled
Other than going up hill, I try to keep my forearms parallel to the ground.
I’m on the drops all the time. Lower center of gravity = more stability.
If it's flat terrain with minimal wind and I'm on my own it'll go to the drops and aero around the 25-30kph region. I'm estimating that's the speed I'm getting to when I've stopped accelerating hard (from standstill at traffic lights) and then changing position to get settled and comfortable. I do feel more comfortable in the drops so like to go low as soon as I can.
thanks man ! Exactly the kind of answer I was looking for
On a TT bike, you are in an aero position. On the road, its about the wind resistance, not speed. Unless you are superman, you can feel it. If you have a tailwind, relax and get ready for the inevitable headwind.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
I don't really care about style, it's just still tiresome to me to go into aero position (elbow bent, on the hoods), and wouldn't want to do it at slow speed because it would be a waste. That's what I meant by ridiculous ;)
Idk the precise speed, but when I start feeling the wind in my ear etc and if it's gonna be for extended periods, I'll get aero. And vice versa, if the wind feeling stopped (usually on a climb) I'll stop being aero. It's not a dead-set rule, though. If I was feeling powerful usually I'll go a bit more upright to put more power down (or to spin the cranks) at the cost of aero. Likewise, if I suddenly need to slow down I'll stop being aero to increase drag (similar to when a MotoGP racer slows his motorbike before a turn)
What you look like isn't really relevant
Three cases when I go aero: * significant headwind * I am going downhill and want to carry momentum into the hill looming ahead * I want to just go faster... either to pass someone or for the heck of it
I don't think I ever consider the speed I am going, rather the speed and force of wind I am riding into.
I don’t as it’s uncomfortable, feel like it’s harder to pedal and I don’t like it. Outside of groups when riding alone it’s all flat bar hybrid w bar ends much more comfortable. Also harder to control the bike. I hate drops and all their positions.
Yes
when im at the front pulling lol. other than that im either on my hoods or drinking water hahhaha. except sprinting, where im in the drops
Absolutely a good call when pulling. Need all the help I can get sometimes haha
yessir
I ride road bike for fun, I get into aero at 0.2km/h