I have an aero road bike. Probably derive 100% benefit from the bike being aero while riding alone. Yet, what I wear, my position and fit on the bike are more important than the aero capabilities of the bike itself.
If I ride in a group, do I even reap a 10% benefit of the aero properties. It would help if I’m setting the pace. Helps if I am getting back on. Otherwise in a group, I’m more likely on the hoods looking ahead, etc.
For group riding or if one isn’t racing what matters more?
aero bike
bike weight
bike geometry
rolling resistance (primarily function of tires/wheels)
stiff ride
soft ride
groupset
looks
price
all of the above
Before buying a road bike or frame, what would be your priorities?
In a group you lose ~30% of the aero benefits, so there is still some energy conservation to be had by using aero equipment. In a pack it’s not “free speed” but more like being able to stay in the group a couple BPM lower so you’re fresher when crunch time comes.
Based on Cervelo’s testing, different parts of the bike carry different advantages. A clean aero handlebar setup (w/hidden cables) is worth more than an aero frame (and at a lower cost, weight, and handling penalty). An aero front wheel is worth as much as the bar (and over 2x what the rear is worth). The biggest part of an “aero bike” is not the frame.
I so wanted to buy an aero bike… I probably do half my riding by myself, so I could benefit… when it came time to buy another bike, I ended up with another weightweenie build. I so suck at climbing I wanted to stay lightweight. Old bike was sub 13lbs and the new one is a few grams heavier because I opted for integrated aero bars… I’ll get my aero benes from the bar and wheels and helmet/clothes… forget the frame.
The big thing for me is feel, which is mostly proper fit. My last 2 bikes have almost felt like extensions of me, which is worth more than a few seconds. I do have aero handlebars and some deep dish wheels; that accounts for over 50% of the bikes aerodynamics. I’d take an aero bike in a heartbeat over a lighter one, if they both felt well.
I’m not sure it’s 90%, but yeah. Though I’m all aero everything, in my road road racing (not including TT), I can observe no correlation between aero geeks and success, even among the guys who can spend all day off the front.
Not to say aero road stuff is not worthwhile - it’s probably just a few steps down any prioritized list of stuff to take care of first.
I’m not sure it’s 90%, but yeah. Though I’m all aero everything, in my road road racing (not including TT), I can observe no correlation between aero geeks and success, even among the guys who can spend all day off the front.
Not to say aero road stuff is not worthwhile - it’s probably just a few steps down any prioritized list of stuff to take care of first.
That sort of visual “regression” is not useful when you leave such an important piece of the puzzle (power curve) in the error term.
That sort of visual “regression” is not useful when you leave such an important piece of the puzzle (power curve) in the error term.
I would say it’s important exactly because such an important piece of the puzzle is left in the error term. :0
Point being that in bike racing, fitness and skill/tactics are - by far - the dominant factors determining success. Which is why I suggested knocking aero equipment down a few notches.
Of course they’re not mutually exclusive. You can suck on an aero bike too!
That sort of visual “regression” is not useful when you leave such an important piece of the puzzle (power curve) in the error term.
I would say it’s important exactly because such an important piece of the puzzle is left in the error term. :0
Point being that in bike racing, fitness and skill/tactics are - by far - the dominant factors determining success. Which is why I suggested knocking aero equipment down a few notches.
Of course they’re not mutually exclusive. You can suck on an aero bike too!
I think given how metabolic cost scales relative to non-steady state power, the ability to shift that cost curve a few watts because of superior equipment choices is absolutely invaluable. Whether people are smart and resourceful enough to do that is another question.
Another angle is just that people who have the engines to power through amateur competition don’t need to bother with the aero quackery, so the people who are chasing the marginal gains are the ones with smaller engines (or better paying daytime jobs to afford the gear, and less training time).
I think given how metabolic cost scales relative to non-steady state power, the ability to shift that cost curve a few watts because of superior equipment choices is absolutely invaluable.
I think that’s overstating it. It’s a marginal value, not an invaluable value. It’s only “invaluable” in the sense that it’s a “free” gain, and there are few free watts in cycling. (obviously not referring to money, here).
In a group you lose ~30% of the aero benefits, so there is still some energy conservation to be had by using aero equipment. In a pack it’s not “free speed” but more like being able to stay in the group a couple BPM lower so you’re fresher when crunch time comes.
Based on Cervelo’s testing, different parts of the bike carry different advantages. A clean aero handlebar setup (w/hidden cables) is worth more than an aero frame (and at a lower cost, weight, and handling penalty). An aero front wheel is worth as much as the bar (and over 2x what the rear is worth). The biggest part of an “aero bike” is not the frame.
What do you think of switching from a 44cm to a 38 cm handlebar up front? Would this be worth as much as an aerobar?
In a group you lose ~30% of the aero benefits, so there is still some energy conservation to be had by using aero equipment. In a pack it’s not “free speed” but more like being able to stay in the group a couple BPM lower so you’re fresher when crunch time comes.
Based on Cervelo’s testing, different parts of the bike carry different advantages. A clean aero handlebar setup (w/hidden cables) is worth more than an aero frame (and at a lower cost, weight, and handling penalty). An aero front wheel is worth as much as the bar (and over 2x what the rear is worth). The biggest part of an “aero bike” is not the frame.
What do you think of switching from a 44cm to a 38 cm handlebar up front? Would this be worth as much as an aerobar?
Not even close to a full on aero bar, but significant.
Cervelo’s testing showed that going from a regular round drop bar to an airfoil top one (plus hiding the cables) was about the same as narrowing the bar 2cm. The savings is in having your arms more in line with your torso and reducing CdA.
I ride the bar that fits me best (40cm at the hoods c-c). For me the aero advantage of a 38cm bar isn’t worth the impact on comfort/breathing/ handling for the whole ride. Base bar on a tru bike is another story, since we’re in aero 90% of the time.
It is worth having an aero road bike if you are racing or if speed/fast times are your main concern in riding.
But 1st:
1.) You should have fast wheels and tires
2.) You should have a position that works well with aggressive aero bikes.
If you need 4cm of spacers for your aero bike it is likely not providing you with the benefits that you seek.
