Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum: Aero Front or Rear??? Can't have both though..

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Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
Aero Front or Rear??? Can't have both though..

Brent 1

Aug 24, 08 18:20

Post #1 of 4 (280 views)

Aero Front or Rear??? Can't have both though..	Can't Post

Hypothetical question, If you could have either a disc in back or a trispoke up front but not both which would be best to race on/would help you the most? Assume that the other wheel I solid quality wheel such as a Mavic Elite and that the race is a half ironman distance rolling course with light/moderate winds.

MOP_Mike

Aug 24, 08 18:35

Post #2 of 4 (254 views)

Re: Aero Front or Rear??? Can't have both though.. [Brent 1] [In reply to]	Can't Post

For a given wheel depth, the greatest aero benefit will come from the front wheel as it sees "clean" air.

That said, you can run a deeper wheel in the back (i.e. a disk) to partially offset this. This is most beneficial at high yaw angles (windy conditions).

Also, a deep front wheel and skinny rear can be difficult to handle in sidewinds.

A trispoke in particular performs best at high yaw angles where it is especially difficult to handle. So in your specific light/moderate wind scenario, I'd choose a very deep, non-trispoke front (Z808, HED 90, Z1080, etc). If you *had* to choose between a trispoke front and disk rear for those conditions, I'd choose the trispoke as even at low yaw angles where it's not the best, it's still better than a skinny rim.

In windier conditions, I'd pick the rear disk over any aero front wheel.

"...if you are pedaling correctly, it doesn't matter what cranks are on your bike." -- Frank Day

(This post was edited by MOP_Mike on Aug 24, 08 18:39)

BMAN

Aug 24, 08 18:37

Post #3 of 4 (250 views)

Re: Aero Front or Rear??? Can't have both though.. [Brent 1] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Easy answer is tri-spoke on the front. Better to have a more aero wheel to slice through the air.

Not so easy answer. Tri spoke might be slow depending on the fork and bike design so a 60mm or 90mm might be faster actually and depending on where the race is.

Aero front makes more sense.
Aero & Light is Right Wink

seanathan

Aug 24, 08 18:46

Post #4 of 4 (224 views)

Re: Aero Front or Rear??? Can't have both though.. [Brent 1] [In reply to]	Can't Post

tri spoke up front
get a wheelcover for the rear
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