4/2     I'm trying to get less drag on my hybrid bike so that I can
        catch up to people. I've heard from this guy that wind is
        about 80% of the drag at 30km/h, and that by crouching down
        you cut wind resistance by about 1/3. Short of getting a real
        road bike which is stiff and uncomfortable, is it "wrong" to
        get a drop down handlebar for a hybrid bike?
        \_ If you want a faster bike that's more comfortable than a
           conventional upright road bike, then try a recumbent.
           \_ Right now, I can catch up to tom for a short period of time
              before he ditches everyone else. If I get a recumbent, will
              I be able to catch up to him for a slightly longer period
              of time?                          -outa shape guy
              \_ Modern recumbents (highracers such as the Bacchetta Aero, or
                 lowracers such as the Velokraft VK2) are more aerodynamic than
                 modern uprights.  This means that for a given power input, the
                 recumbent will produce a higher speed.  This has been
                 confirmed in wind tunnels.  This doesn't necessarily mean
                 that you'll be faster on a recumbent, or that it will be
                 easier for you to catch a particular rider.  When placed on
                 a more efficient bike, some riders have a tendency to slack
                 off and expend less energy to maintain their customary speed.
                 Some upright riders tend to expend more energy to avoid
                 letting a recumbent catch up with them.
                 \_ Alright I'm interested, where can I try one for free
                    and how expensive are they? Ebay has them for as low as
                    $800, which still is a lot. Also how much do fairings
                    help aerodynamically? I need to be able to catch up
                    to people without having to work too hard. Thanks.
                 \_ I ride a very heavy mountain bike with a lot of crap
                    hanging off the sides.  When I see one of those road
                    bike hosers with a 2000 dollar bike and a lycra outfit
                    covered in corporate logos for no good reason(because
                    it's some fat dude who's obsiously not on a cycling
                    team), I'll bust ass to stay ahead of him no matter what,
                    just on principle.
                    \_ That may be so for one or two rich asses but you
                       can't possibly beat every single one of the hard
                       core roadsters. I bet you can't beat tom.
                       \_ I'm positive I couldn't beat a hardcore racer type
                          like tom.  But I'm also pretty sure a guy like that
                          wouldn't be making a big deal out of passing an
                          obvious commuter with two bags over his shoulder
                          and a heavy bike.  If someone minds their own
                          business, I'll mind mine, but some of these fat
                          yuppie roadbikers seem to think they're the shit
                          because they can pass me on their ultralight toys.
                          I feel the need to remind them in the most phyical
                          possible way that spending money
                          does not substitute for riding every day.
                          \_ Uh, I'm not a racer type, and I'm not particularly
                             fast among racer types.  Although I have dropped
                             people on $2K Lemonds on my Schwinn.  -tom
                          \_ You seem to have a lot of hate for people
                             who can afford bigger toys than you. Cheer up!
                             \_ Uhh, no.  I could probably afford a more
                                expensive bike than most of those people,
                                and pay cash.  I hate stupid fat yuppie
                                poseurs.  While many roadbikers are clearly
                                good poeple and great athletes, I would argue
                                that the vast majority of fat stupid yuppie
                                poseurs on bikes are on road bikes.
        \_ On a long ride, an upright road bike should be more comfortable
           than a hybrid, because the hybrid's upright seating position puts
           a greater strain on your lower back.  The riding position of an
           upright road bike shifts about 35% of your body weight off your
           spine (and onto the handlebars).  Are your comments about road
           bikes based on actual experience on long rides?