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Look at the TDF guys on the climbs. They’re all sitting up with their hands on the upper part of the bar or near the brakes. Nobody is riding on the drops.
No, they never ride on the drops…
:0)
(Simoni, indisputably one of the best climbers in the world…)
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Awesome - sorry CG, but my first thought when I saw your post was “WHAT?!!!”.
"sorry CG, but my first thought when I saw your post was “WHAT?!!!”. "
Yep, shot down in flames yet again.
Don’t forgot that the doper formerly known as Marco Pantani always made his breaks whilst riding on the drops! Not a bad climber as I recall!
Interesting.
Just my observations, but I think it may have something to do with size and flexibility. I have noticed that the smaller riders, some of the top climbers in particular( Simoni et al) will go to the drops when attacking on a climb. The larger/taller riders, who may also be good climners, say someone like Alex Zulle, would seem to be always riding on the tops or on the hoods, when standing. I can’t seem to recall ever seeing Lance Armstrong really digging in on a climb in the drops, but I may be wrong.
Fleck
Armstrong has made several memorable attacks on the drops, if my memory serves (climbing attacks, that is.) I especially seem to remember him attacking in th drops several times in his first tour victory.
I do think that your observation appars to hold true, though - the smaller guys tend to ride uphill more in the drops than the larger guys.
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I think we might need to differentiate between attacking climbing, and just get-to-the-top-of-the-damn-hill climbing. Of course nobody’s going to stand up and attack with hands on the tops of the bars. And I can’t imagine anyone spinning and easier gear while on the drops. Hands and therefore upper body must respond to the amount of torque produced by the legs when attacking but when spinning, it’s more comfort/breathing/stable power output oriented. At least that’s my opinion. I personally prefer the hoods most of the time.
Climbing hills can mean lots of different things/intensities.
Lehmkuhler
My memories of the old days: Seated, hands near the stem when spinning up the hill, no worries. It was possible to accelerate from that position, but it lacked the “punch” of the next two choices. Seated or standing, hands on the hoods to accelerate hard and drop someone who is a nuisance or on a particularly steep section. Standing, hands on the drops for a hard acceleration to lose someone quickly and decisively. However, the seemed to be as many techniques and preferences as there were riders. Experiment and find where you are comfortable in different situations.
I remember reading that you should only climb in the drops if you’re Italian and great. LA might be one of a few exceptions to the rule.