when to be on the hoods/ drop bars

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by vkhalsa
I'm pretty new to road and i spend most of my time (90%) on the hoods and only switch up when my hands start hurting. i don't feel very stable ( for breaking and handling) on the drop bars so i reserve them for flat open roads. As my confidence increases i want to improve my form. When is the correct time to use the dropbars vs hoods?

I've been cycling for years and I can probably count the number
of times I have used the drops.

I always stay on the top bar.

Personally I use the drops for cruising on the flat, the hoods when I'm riding in traffic and need the fastest possible access to the bike's controls, and the tops when seated and climbing anything over about 4%. And I always use the hoods when out of the saddle.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by vkhalsa
As my confidence increases i want to improve my form. When is the correct time to use the dropbars vs hoods?

Drops make you more aerodynamic, use them as much as you are comfortable, esp in headwinds and when going fast (think there's probably a guideline there where drag starts becoming significant, ~20mph?). In my experience, yes you do get more comfortable with them through using them.

Hand position variance for comfort comes into play too, esp on longer rides.