faster riders save more watts
slower riders save more seconds

So should pro marathoner (runner) teams make bike-style professional draftlines to pull the lead runner for the win? Seems like they should if they (they run at 12mph, which is as fast as a 'slow rider') save more seconds!

according to katch physiology book, runners can save up to 7% of their energy drafting behind someone else.

so unless its really hot outside where you need a breeze, it would be wise to draft even on the run.

I beleive that if you take the time saved with a certain piece of gear, the slower rider saved or gained a larger amount of time using the same piece of gear because he is on the course longer? Time savings accumulate longer. Yes,,,,no?

It takes more watts increase to go from 24 to 25 then it does from 15-16, yet the slower rider gained a larger percentage. 1/24th compared to 1/15th.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

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Paul

They don't save the same amount of time.

The slow rider saves more absolute time. The fast rider saves a greater percentage of time.

They already do this. Watch any of the top runners who are going for a WR - they have pacers, whom they often draft off of... Drafting on the run is extremely effective, I am always surprised how few people do this (well or otherwise) in races.

AP

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"How bad could it be?" - SimpleS

In races I always look for runners to draft. Extra benefit if she's got a good pace booty (helps the mental as well as physical (not a joke)).

Never in training, though. Train hard and pissed off. Race hard and happy.

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Civilize the mind, but make savage the body.

- Chinese proverb

Believe half of what you read on ST,
believe less on the roadie forums,
don't believe anything on BT.

The time savings equations are not linear as you move through different speeds. Therefore, there is no correct answer to your question. As you begin to make some assumptions (or get real data points like watts or speed or weight or drag coefficient, etc.) you can begin to make generalizations. The more assumptions you make about your "slow" and "fast" bikers, the less general you would have to be.

from 15mph to 30mph the answer is the same

probably from 10 to 40mph too.

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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

 




Later!

Brian

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Swim. Bike. Run. Repeat as necessary.
Welcome to the Church of Briantriology!

I got weird looks for doing this at a half marathon earlier this year. It was really windy, and I either echelon drafted (which at running speeds is like right behind and next to someone's shoulder) or tucked in right behind for headwinds. Worked really well up until about 7.5 miles when the race started to thin out, plus the race had turned so the previous headwinds were now tails and I struck out on my own for the remainder of the race. Overall probably my best paced stand alone running race, although it also helped that I got to the start late and had to meander through slow people for the first mile or two, kept me from taking off too fast as well.

That being said, at non windy races I don't pay nearly as much attention to it. Not running fast enough to make a huge impact (1:33:xx open half, at that above mentioned race, still my fastest time).

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All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. ~Gandalf

I don't know much about when the aero affects of wheels and helmets really kick in. I will say that 10-15mph seems lower than I would have thought.

You may want to actually and go read the thread over there, the responses are much more thoughtful and insightful then here. Not uncommon really as responses like your takes up 95% of ST threads.

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-Of course it's 'effing hard, it's IRONMAN!
Team ZOOT
ZOOT, QR, Garmin, HED Wheels, Zealios, FormSwim, Precision Hydration, Rudy Project

I have no idea what point you are trying to make; the bottom line is that for a given CdA reduction, a faster athlete will save a greater percentage of their overall time while a slower athlete will save more total time.

Shane