Originally Posted by
Steely Dan
i've found that being able to get aero is important for me on my windy-ass commutes along lake michigan's shore. now, drop bars are not the only way to get aero on a bike, but my commuting experience tells me that aero isn't only important for racing or fast group rides.
even my hybrid has a slammed down, downward angle stem to give me a more down posture to help get out of the wind.
Agreed. I ride the same path in Chicago and get destroyed by the wind. I have literally seen cyclists stop, get off their bikes, and start walking them when the wind gets out of control. This is of course due to the wind tunneling effect of the towers along the lake. If you don't have these conditions I wouldn't worry about the aerodynamics so much. I ride a straight bar road bike with bolt-on drops. When I ride the path I use the drops, through the city I use the straight bar.
What is your section of trail, Steely Dan?