How fast can I expect to get WITHOUT aero bars?

[fueledbymetal]

I ran my first Olympic length about a month ago and averaged 20mph for the bike portion on my standard road bike. I've only been cycling since Late May of this year, so I was pleased with my results. I thought 22mph next year would be a good goal if I keep training, but I noticed while looking at the race photos that everybody averaging 21+mph had aero bars.

Riding in the drops just isn't confortable to me (I don't like leaning so far forward), so I can't see aero bars being any more comfortable & I can't afford a full out tri-bike. I train & race for the fun of it (the harder I workout, the more I get to eat :) ), so sacrificing comfort for speed just isn't worth to me.

I ride three times a week between 30-45 miles per workout for a weekly total of ~105 miles, all solo. So, how much faster can I expect to get without aero bars?

[Flak]

Plenty fast. Aero bars as a rule tend to add about 1mph average to your existing speed, what that existing speed is....well thats up to you.

[cslone]

You need to get used to riding in the drops. That alone will probably add 1 mph.

[bidaci]

I know your question is about NOT getting aero bars but take a look at this calculator and you may change your mind.

http://www.kreuzotter.de/english/espeed.htm

You will see your best gains can be had by getting more aero. If you slowly try to adapt to a more aero position your speeds will climb quickly. You don't need to be in the drops or on your aero bars all the time to enjoy some benefit.

[redls1camaro]

You need to get used to riding in the drops. That alone will probably add 1 mph.
x2. It took me a month of lots of ridding to get used to ridding in the drops, but now I stay in them for most of my rides. speed has gone way up.

[mgmoore7]

I put aero bars on my hybrid bike mostly for comfort as my hands would go numb. From normal position to aero, I almost instantly gain .5-.7 mph and that is usually from 15 to 15.5... I would think that the increase would be even more when going 20+mph.

[Treefox]

72.74 mph. (http://www.recumbents.com/WISIL/speedruns2000/worlds-fastest-bicycle-2000.htm)

[WxGuesser]

plus the new gear factor would come into effect... that's good for at least .5mph

[itri-45]

WITH a well fitted aerobar, you'll be more aero and more comfortable which will allow you ride faster. It's much more comfortable and efficient resting your upper body on the elbow pads than holding onto the drop bar.

[MarkSch]

I took up triathlons in the early 80s before there were aero bars...

one can go VERY fast without them....certainly there were lots of 40K times under an hour before aero bars.....the motor is perhaps more important than the position, but the position sure helps.

I will also comment that for the same position of the torso, I think the aero-bars are more comfortable than hands on the drops, so don't think that since you were uncomfortable in the drops that you won't be able to use an aero bar. That said, if you are uncomfortable, your position may well warrant some adjustment. A visit with your local fitter may provide a lot of help.

Whereas the trend nowadays is for a much more forward position for TT / Tri, back in the day we used a regular road position and just bolted on the aero bar...you could try either.

[fueledbymetal]

Cool - thanks for the feedback. Maybe I'll try a used set from ebay & just re-sell them if they don't work out.

And in the mean time I'll keep working on the motor!
;)