Do you sometimes rest your forearms on your bars?

[Velouria]

Like this?

http://www.oakpics.com/image_dir/album120216/md_IMG_0008.jpg

['Dale]

Thought I was just overcautious.

Clearly, the general view is that this position is dodgy.

 

['Dale]

I don't do it. Once you crash because of riding like that, it will be the last time. Very unsafe.

Yeah, I will not try it. Unless on my indoor trainer!

[mtb_Josh]

I do it on my mtb, if the road is smooth its fairly safe. Changing gears (on gripshifters) with the wrong hand - now thats a bad idea!

[The_Break]

Nope but then i never use my drops either, hands are either on the hoods or the bar.

 

Surely you go into the drops on steep decents for safety?

[The_Break]

I do not think it is dodgy at all. I do this more often than not when in solo breaks or at the front of a small break. Obviously it cannot be on a slippery wet section of untapped bar, but otherwise it is fine. The trick to keeping your handlebars steady when you only have one hand on the bar is to control your stomach muscle correctly. You will know you are able to do this when you can brake slightly with only one hand on the bars. Practice this with one hand slightly loosened but around the bar and gently squeeze the brakes. You will see what I mean by stomach muscle control when you do this.

 

The advice about taking youur weight slowly off the bars is all part of this. You dont want weight on one hand that will push the bars skew and taking up the wieght is done with your stomach and back.

 

Oh, and the main reason you would want to do this is purely for aerodynamic reasons. It makes a big difference to your speed. Similar to putting aero bars on.

Edited October 27, 2010 by The_Break

[Guest Frail4Life]

All the time, when I need to change position or to stretch the legs and back.

 

I have already mastered the position, take corners, change gears.

 

Yes it does have alot to with confidence.

 

It does help when you are on the bike for long periods of time.

[Woofie]

Tried it yesterday.

Wasnt that stable.

I suppose it will get more stable with speed.

 

I suppose I could do it more often, but being that far from the brakes doesnt make me feel good though.