duke_of_hazard

if you have a 10 mph tailwind and you are doing 20 mph, would you go faster in an aerodynamic position or sitting straight up? My basic physics tells me that once your speed exceeds the tail wind speed, then you're better off moving into an aero position.

eminefes

definitely aero

thenomad

Why argue with physics? The only wind you are catching is in front of you. It's just nice to only cut 10mph worth of wind when you are going 20.

Fastflyingasian

i still prefer to stay tucked in even at 40mph winds. a 40 mph tail wind is great until your sitting up and it changes to from the side or front. last year we had some really stong winds here with gusts up to 60 mph and experienced going down a big downhill and actually slowing down. went from 35 to 28 mph in a single gust

i would say that the tail wind felt awsome, but like others it seemed that i was only riding into the wind the whole way.

StephenH

For reasons unknown, it seems like 2/3 of the time, when I see anyone riding in the drops, they'll have a tailwind.

Maybe it's just a perception thing on my part.

Maybe it's a mental thing with them. Something like: Headwind- have to crank hard, so sit up more where that's easier. Tailwind- go fast, so get in the "go fast" position.