Originally Posted by
Sierra_rider
The position argument makes me think of some of the recreational riders I see on long reach/short stack race bikes, yet they don't have the flexibility to maintain that position. Even if they do get into that position, their power production drops off at that tight of a hip angle. Many people likely just assume a lower cockpit is going to be more aerodynamic, but it's likely slower when they can only manage to ride around on the bar tops with locked-out elbows.
As far as cheap/easy marginal gains, add leg-shaving to the list. Even by the most conservative estimates, it's saving me 5 watts...I'll never turn down a free 5 watts.
Yeah, I'm an old man with a damaged back (neck, really -- C3,4,5 vertebrae), and even on my custom frame with a tallish head tube and a shallow-drop handlebar, I only go into the drops when trying to, say, bridge up to a group. I envy the riders who can stay in the drops all day long.
Re: shaving. I do it out of respect for the traditions of a beautiful sport, and also because it makes it easier to apply sunblock -- and less dust and dirt sticks to smooth legs. The wattage gains are just gravy.
