Certainly, there are lots of drop-bar bikes on RAGBRAI, but I think 95% overestimates it. I saw plenty of hybrids and mountain bikes this year, not to mention recumbents and other contraptions. More than a couple low-end bikes, too. This isn't just a moneyed roadie's get-away trip, people of all walks of life do this ride.

The place along the course and time of day that you watch the parade greatly influence what you see as well: the early-risers are often on road bikes, and tend to dawdle less along the route. Toward the end of the day you see more folks on hybrids and mountain bikes, and old 3-speeds and other upright vintage types dribbling in.