In a message dated 10/25/02 6:18:11 AM Pacific Daylight Time, Grant.McLean@SportingLife.ca writes:
<< Does't that really depend of how fast you ride, and how hilly the area is?
I don't discount the aero factor, but for recreational riders who spend 90% of their time under 17 miles per hour, many of whom live in areas where there's lots of climbing, weight is a real factor, especially going up hill, where as, who really cares how fast you coast downhill? >>
There's a bit more to it than that. Having lived in San Francisco and ridden
across the Golden Gate bridge for many years, I can say that if you live in a
very windy area, aero wheels make a difference. Depending on the time of year
(and/or day) we get winds from 15 to 35 mph. The "35" winds are gusts in
particular areas of micro-climate with funneling terrain. I never had a wind
meter but I swear I've pedaled uphill from Sausalito toward the bridge in a
steady 20 wind, with higher gusts, on more than one occasion.
Stevan Thomas
Alameda, CA