Ironically, music lessons are for kids.

anybody else going to the U.S. pro championships in Greenville this weekend?

So are bicycles.

What's your point?

Why is average speed suddenly such a big deal? Honestly, does anyone here care if someone cares about their average speed? I know I don't.

Average speed would matter to me if I rode on a flat surface in a vacuum. Too many other variables to account for. I am sure there are KOM's in this windy city that have been achieved with the assistance of the gentle breath of Mother Nature.

I am surprised there hasn't been a parody thread yet.

Pcad, get on it.

They are almost a parody of themselves. No need for an additional one.

Grow up.

What is the point?

I care about my average speed.

I tried that, it sucked.

Since my primary road bike is a flat bar bike, I love all the threads that say, "Your average speed will improve by X when you go to drops." My average speed varies by more than X based on route and wind, so this linear addition must be some magical phenomenon. But people keep selling it and others keep buying.

In the massive average speed debate, I am neither for nor against, provided it does not impact my ability to either A) own firearms or B) have an abortion.

Why would your primary road bike have flat bars?

Overrated! :p

Many reasons:
1) Broken and badly healed collar bone 23 yrs ago caused my arm to go numb with conventional drop bar (rotation of hand issue and amount of shoulder extension).
2) Commuting in city traffic, like the position of flats, not that they are better or anything.
3) Like to climb hills more than go fast on flats, so no major disadvantage to flats on hills.
4) My flat bar setup shifts smoother than every 105 equipped bike I've tried, so never so any real advantage.

I do have a drop bar road project that I enjoy puttering with, and have gone through physical therapy to address #1. My single speed came with flat bars, and I have since installed drops. I am more of "the right tool for the right job" guy, no irrational objection to drops.

Rolly, have you ever considered cowhorns? Not TT bars, but pretty much integrated bar-ends? I had some Scott AT-2's on my old hybrid and they rocked. Been thinking of building another flat bar bike myself, but going all primo this time instead of budget.

We used sticks and rocks. No armor.

Road trip.

I wish I had the Schwinn with me.

55.8 mph was a recent average speed for me.

Kalamazoo?

no

Nope. It's arid and hot here.

Avoided cow/bullhorns because my primary problem was orientation of my wrist and how far forward I had to have my arm raised. I have covered alot of ground with the flat bar bike, and built it exactly how I wanted: Nashbar Alum / carbon frame, carbon fork, SRAM S500 road standard crank, X9 shifters, Easton road wheels. I really didn't scrimp on anything. When I joined up with a local club, I was "the kid on the mountain bike", until they found that I was hard to shake, and usually in the first three of any hill climb.

Physical therapy helped greatly with my shoulder issues, and I am a big fan of it. I am doing much more with drops now, and they were a great improvement on the fixed gear/SS bike. But if I only had one bike, it would probably have flat bars.

Are you kidding me? Wind direction is part of the planning process for which Strava segments to attack. If the wind ain't blowing, I ain't going.

DG