In your opinion guys. On a classical road bike, without aerobars. Which position is the best for a 20k, or a 40k time trial? In the drops [img]cyclingforums.comdrops2.JPGOpen ↗[/img]
Here is a quote of a little review I found on the topic.
Quoted post said:
Riding with hands on the brake hoods would improve aerodynamics and increase performance time by approximately 5 to 7 minutes and riding with hands on the handlebar drops would increase performance time by 2 to 3 minutes compared with a baseline position
Note that the numbers in that quote are increased *times* above the baseline (elbows on aerobars) and not increases in performance. IOW, the study confirms that riding on the drops would be more aerodynamic, as would be expected, but the writeup seems to confuse things a little, IMO.
As far are your pictures go, the amount of bend in the elbows plays a bigger role in body positioning than the positions of the hands.
How do I ride? On the hoods feels more comfortable, but I don't bend my elbows or wrists much in that position. Riding the drops feels speedier and encourages me to bend my elbows more, which lowers my torso.
Note that the numbers in that quote are increased *times* above the baseline (elbows on aerobars) and not increases in performance. IOW, the study confirms that riding on the drops would be more aerodynamic, as would be expected, but the writeup seems to confuse things a little, IMO.
As far are your pictures go, the amount of bend in the elbows plays a bigger role in body positioning than the positions of the hands.
How do I ride? On the hoods feels more comfortable, but I don't bend my elbows or wrists much in that position. Riding the drops feels speedier and encourages me to bend my elbows more, which lowers my torso.
That's how I read it too. The phrase "increased performance time" is really sloppy. Regarding the pictures, riding on the hoods with elbows bent that much may be somewhat aero but it's not practical for any kind of distance. It puts a lot of strain on your arms. I find that in the drops I can get my back reasonably flat without having to bend my elbows much.
That's how I read it too. The phrase "increased performance time" is really sloppy. Regarding the pictures, riding on the hoods with elbows bent that much may be somewhat aero but it's not practical for any kind of distance. It puts a lot of strain on your arms. I find that in the drops I can get my back reasonably flat without having to bend my elbows much.
That is my opinion too.
I feel comfortable in the drops, much more than on the hoods (elbow bent). But I also feel more aero on the hoods, and saw at many occasions, nice long attacks done in this position.
By default though, I tend to assume that more cyclists fight the wind in their drops (as opposed to on the hoods), because of that strain put in the arms you are refering too.
Anyone can ride on the hoods (elbow bent) for long distance?
Anyone can ride on the hoods (elbow bent) for long distance?
I started experimenting with bending my elbows with hands on the hoods at the end of last summer. I could do about ~4km (or 7-8min) at a time that way, but could'nt hold it for much longer than that. It took me some effort to get up to that distance/time, too. To be honest, I don't like to spend more than that much time in the drops either, so...
