Generally, the shape of a bicycle's handlebars determines the riding position. However, even with the same handlebars, cyclists can adopt different riding postures. This is most noticeable with road bikes. As a beginner just starting with road bikes, you've probably heard that road bike handlebars can offer various riding positions, making road bikes ideal for long rides on flat roads.

This time, we will briefly explain the three most common ways to grip road bike handlebars.

How to hold the brake hoods

This position involves sitting on the saddle, extending your hands forward, and naturally gripping the rubber covers of the handlebars. This is the primary grip used in road bike riding and is considered the most ergonomic. The hoods make braking and shifting easiest. When riding in urban areas with complex traffic, it's best to use the hoods to react as quickly as possible to unpredictable traffic. Compared to other grips, the hood position provides a relatively upright riding posture for the upper body, which is comfortable for cruising at a steady speed.

Also, when climbing a hill while rocking the bike, the hood position is recommended because it allows you to lean your body's center of gravity forward and spread your hands shoulder-width apart for balance during climbs.

However, it's important to note that the hood position is not aerodynamic, leading to greater wind resistance. Generally, while maintaining the same power output, riding in the hood position is about 3 km/h slower than riding in the drops. Furthermore, the hood position is not suitable for high-speed descents (above 55 km/h).