Making Flat Bar Road Bikes faster and lighter

Originally Posted by cheezyrider

I can't give any specific recommendations on making the bike faster but I can tell you the results of some testing I have been doing. Based on a series of 20 ten mile time trials with a variety of bike setups, I was not able to discern any significant difference in speed between my flat bar road bike (Ibex Corrida 4.4, 2003 model) and my drop bar road bike (Cannondale RW700, 2002 model) when the same size tire (25 mm 100 psi road tire) was used. They averaged 17.86 and 17.81 mph respectively.

However, when I tested the effects of a larger tire on the flat bar bike, I found that there was a significant (2%) difference going from a 28 mm, 80 psi tire (Kenda Kwest) to a 25 mm, 100 psi tire (Kenda Kontender). They averaged 17.54 and 17.86 mph respectively.

I'm not a competitive athlete, so there may be some difference at higher speeds, where the drops might give an aero advantage; and the drop bars may be more comfortable for some over longer distances (I haven't found this to be the case).

Originally Posted by artemidorus

Drop bars realistically become helpful for speed above 30km/h. You didn't get there.

Originally Posted by JeremyP

A fast commuting tyre that doesn't cut like the pro race2 or evo corsa cx would have to be the GP4000S 23C. Great traction, excellent for commuting - not as 'fast' as the other two but fast enough .