Going fast and looking good while doing it is our Velominati creed. Riding on the tops is the domaine of going uphill, where braking and aerodynamics are unimportant. In most other situations that position is too slow. The pros are usually flattened down in the drops or flattened down on the brake hoods. When us non-pros are not climbing, riding on the tops is less about looking pro than looking like a confident cyclist. I’ve noticed it when I ride with such confident cyclists; I’m not one but aspire to be.
I was given the tip when mountain biking: when descending, steer from the bull horns (are these still even used?) because it keeps your hands away from the brake levers. One descends more efficiently. If your mitts are on the brake levers, you are going to use them, especially if you are Big Pussy (my mtb nickname, self given). Putting on the brakes diminishes bike handling, period. On a mountain bike, the suspension and properly inflated tires are going to get bike and rider where they need to go and getting on the brakes too much is just going to screw the whole process up. Did John Tomac use his brakes? I rest my case.
On a road bike, riding with hands on the tops does the same thing; it keeps your hands away from the brakes. I watch guys riding side by side, chatting away, hands relaxed on the tops. They fearlessly carve their bikes through tight fast corners while I’m behind, feathering the brakes on the way in and then jumping out of the saddle on the way out to recover the speed I just scrubbed off. It’s no way to live. I’m not sure how to cross that threshold where one’s Big Pussy trepidation says to slow down a bit and one’s rational mind says trust your tires. It is maddening. My inner Rule V must be consulted.
During our Manhattan rollout during The Rules book tour, ride leader Rob of NYC and Frank led a our large pack up the West side on a bike path along the Hudson. It was a two-way bike path, two meters wide and it crossed a myriad of streets and cross-walks. I watched Rob and Frank chatting away, hands on the tops, deftly avoiding every jogger, stroller, roller-blader, cyclist and pedestrian there. We whipped into the opposite bike lane to pass all of that and drifted a little right as all that came the other direction. Rob and Frank emanated cycling confidence that said, sure my bike has brakes but I’m really not interested in them right now. It looked very cool and somehow safer. I had my hands resting directly on the brake hoods ready to brake at the first sign of a baby stroller crossing my path.
We don’t drive cars with our other foot hovering over the brake pedal, ready to stomp. We don’t need our hands always a second away from our brakes either. Knowing that and doing that is where we become more confident cyclists.
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Well said Gianni. Braking is indeed, no way to live.
Agreed, certainly your steering is more stable from said position and it can be much more comfortable. However, I always keep a finger on the brake lever in a race. There are just too numbskulls in the world with sketchiness woven into their DNA.
I fully agree with this, I ride on the tops frequently when out for a training ride and also when it's safe to do so when laying down the V.
I'm very much hoping that this article could be used as a defence of Spinaci's as the breach of 54 that they bring; common sense needs to prevail in their use just as much as the tops.
I think you're overlooking the largest benefit of riding from the tops - it's a great way to look Casually Deliberate and relaxed. Really drape an arm over the top. Looks great if you can keep quiet and hide your internal suffering while passing people or pulling the group.
Incidentally, in an effort to improve the neighborhood, I recently got the Partner her first Real Bicycle which awakened an immediate love in her, which is pretty nice as she had always been very outspoken about how much she hated biking. However reasonable this cycle was, it came with interrupters on the tops as well as the usual brifters-- clearly training wheels for the novice. I eagerly await the day when her confidence is such that they can be removed.
(Hi everyone, long time reader first time poster blah blah)
Nice piece! As a 99%-of-the-time solo rider, I ride on the tops a lot - usually hands close to the stem or a bit wider (like Bertie's left hand). Rarely, if ever, are my hands on the tops near the forward curve (like Bertie's right hand).
Brakes? I've gone several seasons between changing pads. I adopt the same strategy when riding as I do driving - look ahead, see braking-worthy situation, freewheel/take foot off gas and coast to diminish speed. Then brake as necessary.
To all the US Velominati, have a safe, happy Thanksgiving and try and get a ride in if you can to offset the binge eating/drinking. Strike a bargain with the VMH - she goes shopping, you go riding (climate considerations notwithstanding.)
Hands on the tops, forearms level (or near) is super aero too.
Oh forgot to add;
Sudden braking in a fast bunch is disastrous too. I have a buddy that refuses to ride track because "those bikes don't have brakes". I keep telling him its safer that way but he just doesn't believe me.
@Gianni. Hey Gianni, nice piece. I spend a lot of time on the tops, generally feeling guilty about not being in the drops! I doubt I can back it up with any aero scientific facts but I feel narrower so therefore should be faster than on the hoods? Graeme Obree was a huge advocate of getting your hands as close as possible to each other and that man took the game very seriously.
I've always envied the guys that can get down and stretch out to achieve an aero position with their wrists or forearms on the tops as they TT to the finish with the Peloton closing in on them.
Like this...
@Ccos
Yeah, in a group you don't trust with your life, you need to be nearer the levers. That's is the beauty of riding with the same friend(s), eventually you can know they won't screw you by braking, no matter how many squirrels run out in front.