Hand Positioning

There reallly isn't one correct position for each area. It really is up to what is comfortable for you. For speed (either downhill or on the flats), you may want to consider getting into the "drops," for just cruising on the flats you'll probably put your hands in the middle region (over the brake levers, I believe), and for climbing you'll probably be grabbing the top/horizontal part.

This of course, is not mandatory but a suggestion on what most people do. If you find that climbing with your hands in the drops is more comfortable, fine.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by beckham21
Ok everyone who has read my past posts I finally got my bike<-----A Raleigh Grand Sport 03' for $470.00..Aluminum frame and smooth riding so I've been riding these past couple days since I got it long distances ...I'm geeting a computer soon so I can see exactly how far...Well my question is since I'm learning as I go what is the correct hand positioning for every type of terrain ie. hills, straight, flat, downhill etc... Thanx a lot

You'll probably find that your hands will spend a lot of time on the brake hoods. It's a comfortable position, and also the most convenient for shifting gears (i.e., if you have STI... not sure what comes on your bike).

When I have a nice tailwind, I put my hands on the top part of the handlebars. When I want to go fast, or if I have a headwind, I put my hands in the drops to gain a bit of aerodynamic advantage than I would otherwise have.

Just try different positions and see what works for you.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by zperrys
You'll probably find that your hands will spend a lot of time on the brake hoods. It's a comfortable position, and also the most convenient for shifting gears (i.e., if you have STI... not sure what comes on your bike).

When I have a nice tailwind, I put my hands on the top part of the handlebars. When I want to go fast, or if I have a headwind, I put my hands in the drops to gain a bit of aerodynamic advantage than I would otherwise have.

Just try different positions and see what works for you.

Ditto.

My experience has been exactly the same as zperrys.

For some reason ever since I took to resting my hands on the upper bars I've had wrist pain. I feel really comfortable with my hands in that position but my wrists just seem to suffer after the ride. Occasionally I've had the wrist nerves burn after a jolt on the road - like red hot needles in the wrist area.
It could be I'm gripping too hard or supporting too much uppper boy weight.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by keydates
There reallly isn't one correct position for each area. It really is up to what is comfortable for you. For speed (either downhill or on the flats), you may want to consider getting into the "drops," for just cruising on the flats you'll probably put your hands in the middle region (over the brake levers, I believe), and for climbing you'll probably be grabbing the top/horizontal part.

This of course, is not mandatory but a suggestion on what most people do. If you find that climbing with your hands in the drops is more comfortable, fine.

do you do wrist stretches while riding, ie shaking your wrist/hand? It should help keep circulation up=less burning. Of course, too hard a grip or having too much weight on your hands could be the problem.

No I don't stretch. I do try to change wrist position. It may be I'm leaning too hard but it's also possible my handlebars are a little too low. The funny thing is I feel very comfortable with my hands draped over the bars but my wrists ache like hell lately.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by keydates
do you do wrist stretches while riding, ie shaking your wrist/hand? It should help keep circulation up=less burning. Of course, too hard a grip or having too much weight on your hands could be the problem.