How To Hold Your Handlebars Like A Pro | GCN Pro Tips
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 13. 07. 2024
- Riding a road bike involves cycling in lots of different scenarios; different road surfaces, weather, conditions, and terrain. All of these situations require different positions on the bike and, therefore, a variety of hand positions on your handlebars. Conor's here with his top tips to keep you comfortable, aero, and safe on your road bike.
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What's your preferred hand position?
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Leave us a comment below! - Sport
What's your preferred hand position on the bars?
I like my hands to be on them.
I usually put my hands on the top of the bars
Hands free to stay clean of corona đđ
The one donât pain my osteoarthritised hands.
off the bars
i like to live dangerously
GCN: How to hold your handlebars like a pro
GCN 30sec later. "Don't try to copy the pros"
Exactly my thoughts.
Liam Bertuzzi comedy genius
He qualified that with "too much"
I was just going to comment the same.
Pretty sure what they said right after that was 'don't FAIL to hold your handlebars the way you see pros do sometimes because that can be dangerous on normal people roads'. Then they went on to discuss how to HOLD your handlebars the way pros do when they aren't draping their arms everywhere else.
Climbing - Tops and Hoods
Flat - Hoods and occasionally drops.
Descent - Drops
Strong wind - Drops
Most of the time - Hoods
Use drop most of time. It is more aero
@@music-xj8hf bend your arms 90 degrees when on the hoods. That is faster.
What about no handed? đ
@@music-xj8hf remove the handlebars and hold the fork, it's more aero
I often use the hoods and tops. Rarely on the drops
Just want to say thanks to Conor - I just resumed road cycling after a 35 year break from anything with drop bars. Getting on the drops after that much time off felt completely foreign to me and thus I wasnât using them. Conorâs advice of âjust use them for 5 minutes at a timeâ was all I needed. Headed out for an evening ride, 5 minutes on the drops later, I regained my confidence and Iâm fine now. I realize it may sound silly, but 35 years is a long time. Iâm grateful.
Careful, Hank or Manon may use that frame to steal out of the cookie jar on the top shelf
1:10 love Conor's impression of a bull Walrus, 10/10!!
I thought I'd pass on a bit of good news, in these pandemic times, for the other oldies here. I recently watched an episode of 'The Nature of Things', hosted by 83-year-old David Suzuki, (former Prof. of genetics at UBC), on aging well. He met up with another octogenarian professor in London, UK, to discuss his research. That prof. is a cyclist, and the program featured a group of senior cyclists, (Redhill CC), and the claim was that regular exercisers like them have immune systems as healthy as typical people in their twenties. They were in their sixties, seventies and eighties. Yaaaaaay! It doesn't mean that we older cyclists are immune from death by covid-19, but we have a fighting chance. :-))
Nice to see and read a comment by another "ancient one" Perhaps it would a good idea for GCN to consider us oldies but goodies in a series of videos.
Hope you stay strong sir
@@apismellifera1906 Thanks, I'm gonna try. I just recently read in New Scientist magazine about another researcher who checked the immune systems of a group of (very much) older amateur cyclists and got the same finding.
You guys are the best. And youâre absolutely shortening my learning curve. Cheers!
I really like Conor's videos and his presenting style - the right balance of fun and good quality information without too many repetitive cliche's - great stuff and always helpful - thank you GCN đ
Thanks for the feedback, weâre glad youâre enjoying Conorâs videos!
Thank you!! I am still new enough this level of information is great.
Thank you for pushing out entertaining videos in spite of everything that's going on. It would have been easy to say "sorry folks, we're shut down too" and close up shop for a month. I, like many others here look forward to seeing a new video here. Thank you for continuing to deliver.
Thanks for a kind reminder about the need to be in control at all times. Certainly may prevent a mishap!
Safety first!
Thanks for that. I have rarely gone onto the drops. I've found it uncomfortable and a bit disconcerting in traffic. But after watching this video, I decided I'd try the bit at a time suggestion and ended up on the drops for most of my 35 mile ride. And it was comfortable.
Thatâs one big ass frame
James Cartier Every time I see his bikes I want to say this! Enormous.
Absolute unit
James Cartier what's the advantages? Must be a reason I've heard it's more stable at speed and fast corners
@@mykhhh4994 he's just a tall Irish guy
@@mykhhh4994 Lol get a frame that fits
Tried holding the bars between thumb and fore finger yesterday and it made a massive difference, so much more comfortable all round!!
Thank you. I was trying to brake from the drops like an old man (as I am). I didn't know about the hood and braking. Nice to learn something new.
so helpful. thank you.
I just got my very first road bike (been into MTB for 25+ years), and this video was super informative. Love the straight to the point videos with good information.
Great video, cheers!
Commuter riding on drops more or less daily for 45 years now, and never thought I needed instruction on how to hold my bars! But I enjoyed it anyway, and the outtake! đ More of those, please.
Glad you enjoyed the video. We're loving sharing our outtakes with you all!
I was hit by a Dodge Charger while riding today
that sounds badass
Conor speaks so well. Great enunciation.
Very helpful ty
Nice video GCN âïžđ
What a nice light video đ
Loved this tutorial. I think personally for me I have a bit of a fear from changing positions of the handlebars during a ride because my first time ever trying a drop bar I moved from the top to the lower part of the drop bar and I might have put too much weight on it too fast and it turned my wheel down into the ground. I've been afraid to try riding one ever since.
Well done.
Missing tips in order to prevent feeling numb, releasing pressure on the nerves inside the palms. I do alternate grippositions.
Nice one Conor! I'm a hoods and drops man.. Really good advice and timely reminders about safety.. not copying the pros.. too much! I used to get over the front wheel on a decent until I nearly carped it at over 80kmh.. I hit a wet patch.. hilarious outtake too mate! đđđđ»
Thanks, Rich! Glad you liked the video. Stay safe out there!
Nice group set
Best looking bar tape job
Conor is the new Matt Stephens! In a giant formate! :))
i wouldn't like to do taboo referred in video due to your facial expresssion. the effectiveness is magnificent. thank you.
Sub !! nice , keep up the good content
That's a beautiful Pinarello!
Thank you
Good idea đđđ...
Thumb and forefinger is probably the most most important tip ever. Saved me a few times.
Wait, Iâm supposed to grab them with my hands?? I thought they were for decoration. Thank you GCN!
As a newbie i really feel like crashing everytime i hold the dropbar. Lol.
Same
Great video- thank you
Isn't the way you said to hold the bars o the climbs the same way that you said not to hold them prior though? Or am I getting my wires crossed?
Red bar tape looks cool man.
Just bought my first road bike this afternoon. Until now, itâs been all mountain bikes for me but I want to see how my top speed can improve. The whole handlebar and position issues are crazy to me! This helps.
How is it going for you with road bike
I live in the mountains in Andorra so experience with descending, and unfortunately many of us with experience coming off while descending. So the number one tip especially for those when on holiday in the Alps or Dolomiti not used to long descents, while descending please: "Drops not Tops"
I'd probably ride on the tops while descending
Really want to ride! But ughhh quarantine lockdown
I used to road bike but in the last 15 years I have been exclusively mountain biking and just bought a new road bike to get back into it. I was really surprised how light and twitchy the handling is comparatively the first time I got out on the road bike. Especially on the tops. It took a few minutes to get used to it.
A couple of physiological considerations that should help if you are having comfort issues - especially numbness in your hands: 1) make sure your wrist angle is as close to neutral (straight) as possible in all three of the main positions. You may be able to adjust hood position and bar roll to help, but on the tops this will probably take a concerted effort to change your technique. 2) be aware of how much weight you are resting on the bars. Is your core engaged, supporting your upper body weight, or are you resting all that weight on your hands? This can lead to real issues. I finally got rid of numbness in my hands by changing over to padless gloves, because it forced me to stop bearing down so much in order to stay comfortable. The lighter you are on the bars, the better on your body, and the more control you will actually have.
Climbing definitely tops descending in the drops. On the flats Iâm on the hoods.
I've owned my gravel bike for a year and a half already. I realized only recently holding onto to the top tips of the hoods is the best for me (not the whole hood). I can pedal the fastest, most aero, and most comfortable at that position!
I try to minimize weight on wrists (avoiding soreness and potential arthritis from grinding) by activating core and legs more, lessening pressure of forward lean.
Conor's one tall bloke. Just look at the size of his Pinarello Prince
stood beside him at the irish nationals last year....his head was in the clouds couldn't see his face lol
This guys cycling is on another planet. I canât tell if heâs quick or not.
You got a cool bike Connor.
Just waiting for how to sit on your saddle like a pro...
It may be surprise to you but many people *are* in fact not sure how to sit properly and where exactly on the saddle. czcams.com/video/aZ4ZkA8aSkQ/video.html
Followed up with how to get on your bike with part 2 being how you get off.
Recently i change my position on saddle, i can say this little change make riding more confortable and allow me to ride during 3h without pain on a**. Before change after 1h it was horrible with the same short and saddle (fizik Arione)
@@markstone722 they've actually already made that video. Seriously
You spoke too soon mate :D
My hands are always "falling asleep" on longer rides.
I already do use cycling gloves and I also try to hold the weight with my back and not lean with my full body on the handlebars.
And no, I dont have capal syndrom..
I dont know what to do anymore, to be honest... it sometimes takes about 4 days until i have full strenght back in my fingers. (especially pinky and ringfinger)
That's awful. Some people swear carbon handlebars will alleviate this-stiff but forgiving through road chatter. It's possible they're just trying to justify another parts purchase-I'd look into it.
Something that worked for me was keeping my wrists as straight as possible. Bending your wrists and putting even a little bit of pressure for a prolonged period of time can pinch some nerves. So, keep your hands in line with your forearms. Combine this with keeping the core engaged and potentially losing a bit of upper body weight could be the fix for you. If all else fails, try getting a bike fit (Iâd recommend this no matter what). Hope this all helps!
Got an update that helped me A LOT!!!
Saddle was to far in the front^^ Pushed it back just 3 cm. Had a 110k today - no numbness anymore.
(Just bak pain, because my muscles are not used to it xD)
Saddle too high, reach too far, bar drop too low? All possible. Probably more tension on your neck and shoulders than you realize
Get a proper bike fit. Even if it costs a bit, it will benefit your body a lot.
Iâm 11 years old and I have a 50 mile race coming up on august 7
My dad is getting me a road bike and I have been looking all over the internet so when I get the road bike. I feel nice and good.
Good to see GCN displaying spacers under the stem! Do not obey fashion at the expense of practicality and comfortable fit !
That head tube is insane
That headtube!!! What's your bike geo?
0:47 Thanks for the reminder GCN.
I used to ride the drop bar during many years ... iâm so used to it since years and I also have a fixed gear for in town and I saw that I have more from if I hold hard the drop bar for climbing hill but I donât know if iâm doing wrong cuz I donât do the same on my road bike but hills in town are more higher in degree
That's a great looking bike manđ
the Drops and the hoods are the BEST grips and it was common use for roadbikes
Really nice tyres. No-one first today.
what ever happened to gloves? lycra backed, chamois shock absorption, and road sand/glass shedding either in a fall or when cleaning a tire when in motion.
Came here to find this. Always wear gloves for the extra padding, soak up the sweat, keep my bar tape nice etc. But most importantly, if in the worst case there is a crash - hands are protected!
Cleaning a tire when in motion, hahaha đ . Firstly spit in your gloves is my tip, then clean your tire when in motion.
Thanks for that I always ride with one hand on the drops and the other on the tops đ€Ș
The faces are brilliant đđ
GOOD TO SEE RIM BRAKES!
That chicken wing in the end haha
Nice Bike â€ïžâđ»
you should make a video about bike computers
I put my hands in front of my eyes when desending and when watching the new gcn Videos.
Dudes, we are all on lock down. Make appropiate Videos and save these ones for later!!!
#stayhomestaysafe
p.s. put your thumbs behind the bars, do as you say and not like you show!
Respect for the camera man
Just bought my 1st toad bike today. Wow, was not expecting to feep that different to a straght bar, anyways I hope I adapt
Thatâs an enormous bike đČ
What size bike do you ride? Looks like a pretty tall head tube and makes me hopeful that I might be able to find a frame that fits in Pinarello if I can afford one some day.
Crikey! That's a big frame there hey.
Iâll also say two positions were missing: 1) hands on top of hoods, pinky under lever, arms parallel to ground; 2) forearms on tops, âinvisible aero.â 1) is actually my preferred position at all times, even climbing out of the saddle!
Can you please tell me what make/model of handlebar Conor is using? They look perfect - shallow drop - and just what I am looking for
Where was this filmed? I'm sure I recognise some of those pot-holes.
Castle Combe
There's a video with the same video title but 7 years ago on this channel. I feel old.
I look exactly like the GCN presenter at 0:00 - same head shape and a helmet that sits like a mushroom - with lots of space on the sides. DO you have any recommendation for a better fitting helmet fot this head shape? I was thinking about Abus Gamechanger, but can't try it on anywhere now...
Itâs definitely interesting to watch how much difference height makes to riding a bike. lol. These giants have it easy to be in a million different positions
I can finally watch this because I bought my first road bike. Trek madone 2.1
I'm a beginner, beginning to learn here.
We need a show on Conerâs bike
I have a new bike and I'm not used to the drop bars yet. My thumb has been bothering me. Any advice to deal with that? I'm thinking about moving my seat back further. But I feel like I would have my elbows too far from my body
The epitome of relaxed hands on the bars look no further than Maurizio Fondriest. The guy is poetry in motion and Iâm sure he could play a Casio keyboard whilst dropping a wattage bomb.
Is a Trek Domane AL 2 a good bike to start on road cycling?
Where do you put the bell on drop bars? Maybe you can do a video for it ?
If I'm riding indoors on zwift what bar are better? Flat bars or drop bars since I don't have to worry about aerodynamics?
When past a few mins. i have neckpain in this position. what should I do?
"Me using flat handle bar" wow really useful
1:20 best part of this video
All this time I thought that was a foot rest. Thanks GCN. Where do my feet go now?
I don't even use that kind of bike I use a beach cruiser which surprisingly works very well and I usually can keep up with cyclist on road bikes, So beach cruisers can do it too.
With this quarantine situation there are not as much car, kinda classed as closed roads
I think I should have ordered red bar tape!!!
What bike is this? Such a long headtube and so high top tube compared to regular Dogmas or any road bike in general?
Have you guys had a ride in mumbai ?
Find your perfect position is the key