I was riding around yesterday and I have these fairly new Enve SES AR Handlebars.
When I’m in the drops I have always put my hand towards the front such that I can reach my brakes…
But this handlebar has a bend where the curve stops and there is about a fistful of just flat to the earth bar. I put my hands there and it was suuuuper comfy. I can’t hit the brakes from there so it would only be used occasionally. But I could feel the handlebar flex the most (nice for some bumps).
For now I just used it as another hand position for the heck of it. But I am sure there’s a purpose for that?
Just wondering how you all decide where on the drops you put your hands? In what situations (if ever) would you put your hands like I described?
(Is one position more desireable for cornering? Descending? Sprinting?)
I would say that position at the end of the drops should usually be limited to straight roads where you have a decent line of sight and are just cruising around. Like you said, the bars will flex more there so it would be more comfortable.
But because you’re a far way from your brakes I would not do it while descending or cornering. You are also then grabbing your bars closer to your stem (reach-wise) so it can make your steering feel twitchier so I wouldn’t do it while sprinting either.
But for just cruising along it can be a decent and comfy place to be.
