Just a strange non-intuitive consequence of the physics.
a given reduction in CdA (drag coefficient times area)
saves the faster rider more drag force
and a higher percentage of time saved
BUT, the slower rider, due to being on course longer, ends up savings slightly more total time over a fixed distance.
So, a given wheel might make a faster rider 0.5% faster and you 0.4% faster but since you are out there longer, you save more seconds.
Make sense?
Really though it is all close enough to being the same you can think of it as the same:
50g drag @ 30mph = 0.5seconds per kilometer saved (at any speed)
for some insight into the light vs aero question, that comes up in the Weds tour de france TT, I go through some hypothetical scenarios here:
http://blog.aeroweenie.com/...age-17-light-or.html The slower you are, the more weight matters relative to aerodynamics, but still, aero tends to always win, as long as you are comfy climbing and descending on the TT bike (which should be the primary issue you think about really)
3xBAMF wrote:
jackmott wrote:
it makes the same difference at your speed.
a little more in terms of time actually.
Im intrigued....How would it help more @ my speed? I'll average 17.5-18 mph.
Reason I ask - I'm torn between TT bike and road bike for IMLT in a few months. Light vs aero.
Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter