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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2013 14:47:15 GMT
Hi all, Just wondered when going downhill if most gown down in the drops or tops? I know it is more a confidence thing, but interesting to see people's feedback. Thanks.
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Post by DelB on Jul 1, 2013 15:05:31 GMT
Personally, always on the drops. That way you're more aero-dynamic and you've also got the brakes covered too.
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Post by goffski on Jul 1, 2013 15:11:06 GMT
Usually depends how fast i indent to desend, if i'm just rolling down then on the hoods, otherwise on the drops tucked right down.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2013 15:26:06 GMT
Thanks for the responses I agree the drops are better though I must admit I seem to feel safer when on the hoods. Perhaps the drops will feel better with time.
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Post by johnc60 on Jul 1, 2013 15:45:53 GMT
On the drops as 1) less wind resistance so faster and 2) easier to reach the brakes if needed!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2013 15:58:20 GMT
Definitely drops for the above reasons. More aero and better positioning for the brakes.
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Downhill
Jul 1, 2013 19:25:10 GMT
via mobile
Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2013 19:25:10 GMT
Drops.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2013 20:18:13 GMT
Drops. Annoying on a T3 though if you fancy a few more fears to have a go at the descent with those thumb shifters.
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Post by zoltansocrates on Jul 1, 2013 20:26:29 GMT
drops, puts your centre of gravity low and thus you stay on your bike when cornering at speed, have a little weight at the back too so that your back wheel isnt skipping
best advice is relax, dont grip the bars too tight and just hover on your seat
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2013 20:37:46 GMT
Drops at times but TT bars are more fun and Heart raising
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Post by Radchenister on Jul 1, 2013 20:57:41 GMT
Smooth lines on the drops . Always look well ahead - if you look around the corner you'll get around the corner, look at the hedge etc and you've got more chance of hitting it, as generally on a bike you go where you look. If you want to take speed off, aim to brake in a straight line (wherever possible / if necessary), before the corner preferably; do not panic whatever happens, this will make things worse, unsettling the bike is the biggest danger. Braking in corners is best practised on a BMX and damp mowed grass, you don't want to be finding your limit at 43mph going around a twisty downhill with your Triban as you might end up remodelling the design. Look up 'entrance, apex, exit' and understand what 'line through the corner' means. Go for even / neutral weight generally, not too far forward or too far back. Do not shuffle when in the middle of a manoeuvre, i.e. if you're unsure of your position mid corner etc - if in doubt just stay firm but relaxed. Be aware that pushing weight on pedals and bars at speed, whilst changing position, will make the bike turn differently / act in ways you may not predict, it's not the time to start doing Aldo Rossi impressions. Quality of the road surface is something to get geeky about, as is moisture, salts, dust, debris, diesel spills etc. - remember this surface is the ying to the yang of your tyres. All the above are superbike tips but apply to push bikes pretty well - although you need to be much more 'softly softly' on a bicycle than with a superbike. Remember your tyre contact patch is the size of a postage stamp, do anything 'jerky' at speed / in turns and you're asking a lot from the friction available from such a small area. ... so, final thing to remember if you only remember one thing ... keep it smooth!
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Downhill
Jul 1, 2013 22:34:20 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2013 22:34:20 GMT
On the drops covering the brakes with 2 fingers.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2013 12:10:58 GMT
As above have all said. On the drops
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Post by stevo on Jul 2, 2013 12:45:21 GMT
Pretty much on the hoods, and that is probably why I have a triban and not a Pinarello Dogma! ;-)
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Post by Radchenister on Jul 2, 2013 13:22:36 GMT
Don't quite follow that comment stevo? It's fairly well known that your grip may be bounced off the bars riding on the hoods, so not really an issue to be linked with what sort of bike you're riding, as it'll make not one jot of difference on a fast descent, crashing on either bike will hurt and most people showing Strava on here are reaching speeds that will be painful. They're doing exactly the same sort of speed that saw this happen recently just a few miles from me here www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2287779/Junior-Heffernan-death-Top-triathlete-23-killed-Severn-Bridge-Road-Race-hit-car.html . People will be cursing if they're on a steep and find they need to break solidly, as you just can't get the leverage on the hoods. I will admit that I ride most hills on the hoods though, usually because they're easy listening and I know them well but if you do come across a serious hill at any sort of speed, then you may suddenly feel the urge to be on the drops - best to have got there early. Changing over from hoods to drops at speed is not nice, especially in a corner ... how do I know ... I was taught the lesson by Frocester Hill at 45 km into this ride app.strava.com/activities/54698311;) . That's where I found out, coming down that was quite an experience, I stopped to take pics 1/4 of the way down but also to take stock of the situation after spooking myself by riding on the hoods.
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