Assuming they have the same frontal aera, will a fatter/rounder/portly person with a more laminar profile be more aero than a skinnier/more cut/skeletor person with a more rounder/jagged profile?
I think a thin layer of body fat definitely helps with buoyancy in the water. Also, having a bit of fat stores can be useful on the run leg of an Ironman in terms of nutrition storage. So is there an optimal amount of body fat for optimal performance in triathlon?
Would riding the IM bike leg with an erection be more aero than flaccid?
a more serious answer, is that even assuming they are NOT the same frontal area, heavier riders are often more aero at the same height.
weird eh?
Would riding the IM bike leg with an erection be more aero than flaccid?
Depends on the curve of the erection and the yaw angle.
Assuming they have the same frontal aera, will a fatter/rounder/portly person with a more laminar profile be more aero than a skinnier/more cut/skeletor person with a more rounder/jagged profile?
I think a thin layer of body fat definitely helps with buoyancy in the water. Also, having a bit of fat stores can be useful on the run leg of an Ironman in terms of nutrition storage. So is there an optimal amount of body fat for optimal performance in triathlon?
Who cares… the fat person will walk the marathon, skinny person will jog it. Thus a difference between a 8 hour marathon and a 3 hour marathon. Running IS weight bearing.
Fat Matt Hoover several years ago won the “Biggest Loser” fat person contest, went on to gain much of the weight back and
also picked up a free entry to Kona.
You would have to check with him but I’m thinking the fat stores didn’t help his run much.
Depends on the curve of the erection and the yaw angle.
That’s what she said …
Would riding the IM bike leg with an erection be more aero than flaccid?
Depends on the curve of the erection and the yaw angle.
.
Would riding the IM bike leg with an erection be more aero than flaccid? No, but it could keep you from over rotating on the swim.
Would riding the IM bike leg with an erection be more aero than flaccid? No, but it could keep you from over rotating on the swim.
Personally speaking… mine would act like a rudder (arguably more like an anchor) and cause a tremendous amount of drag in the water.
Would riding the IM bike leg with an erection be more aero than flaccid? No, but it could keep you from over rotating on the swim.
Personally speaking… mine would act like a rudder (arguably more like an anchor) and cause a tremendous amount of drag in the water. Maybe some of the female members of the forum are impressed, but speaking for myself, I don’t need to know details about your “keel”.
Would riding the IM bike leg with an erection be more aero than flaccid? No, but it could keep you from over rotating on the swim.
Personally speaking… mine would act like a rudder (arguably more like an anchor) and cause a tremendous amount of drag in the water. Maybe some of the female members of the forum are impressed, but speaking for myself, I don’t need to know details about your “keel”.
The fat guy cause he would be dimpled like Zipp Wheels
.
I’ve been told buy a guy who runs a wind tunnel that, “a keg is a very aerodynamic shape.” That was to make me feel better about a few extra pounds.
Hello jxj and All,
The answer to your question is yes.
The same frontal area can provide different drag resistance depending on shape as we all know.
The trick for the fat person is to grow the fat in the proper shape - perhaps a mold that you sleep in …
… Remembering that for most bicycle operations aero trumps weight.
Or utilize plastic surgery to get that streamline shape … would that be legal? … is not Tommy John surgery legal?
“Today, tissue expanders are an essential tool for plastic surgeons. … breasts following mastectomies and reconstructing facial features such as lips and eyelids. … Dacron-reinforced Base Provides a Firm Platform for Directional Expansion …”
'With enough time and money we can do it … ’
So where is most advantageous place for this surgical fat streamlining?
The cylindrical shape of the upper arm at right angles to the air flow would be an easy place to start …
As you can see from the diagram above you could reduce the cylinder resistance from 50% to 15% with just a bit of Dacron and fat … although it might not be worth the effort to get to the 5% resistance level when considering the amount of fat and Dacron required. (Of course we will always have people that push the envelope.)
Lower leg calf muscles should experience a nice reduction with this technique also.
The initial cost and biennial maintenance would not be too expensive and … the operation should not prove to risky (except for the possibility of infection and other normal surgical risks - blood clots - stroke - etc.) … for those truly serious about their triathlon or cycling career. This could spawn a new industry for functional body changing rather than just decorative tattooing and nose, belly, nipple, and ear rings.
The benefits might carry over into running and swimming also as upper arm drag is an important drag consideration - especially in swimming.
A preliminary study with glue on devices simulating the fat would yield data to determine the feasibility for various body types. Just as we have bicycle fit clinics with measurement devices … similarly - a wind tunnel and swim flume clinic will provide testing for surgical drag reduction.
Rather than traditional fat the additional space could be used for electronics or created with a substance lighter and firmer than ordinary fat.
Pace makers are implanted - other substances and devices could also be implanted … in an optimum shape.
Will these new ‘Guns’ become a social phenom and everyone want them for status … ?
Cheers,
Neal
+1 mph Faster
A skinny guy with the same frontal area as a fat guy (assuming same position) is apparently much more powerful as well.
Assuming they have the same frontal aera, will a fatter/rounder/portly person with a more laminar profile be more aero than a skinnier/more cut/skeletor person with a more rounder/jagged profile?
Maybe the OP is really wondering if a fat guy on a recumbent is more aero than a skinny guy on a tri bike.
Assuming they have the same frontal aera, will a fatter/rounder/portly person with a more laminar profile be more aero than a skinnier/more cut/skeletor person with a more rounder/jagged profile?
I think a thin layer of body fat definitely helps with buoyancy in the water. Also, having a bit of fat stores can be useful on the run leg of an Ironman in terms of nutrition storage. So is there an optimal amount of body fat for optimal performance in triathlon?
This is in pink, so I don’t know if the joke is on me. But I’ll answer as if it was asked seriously.
This: http://www.trainingandracingwithapowermeter.com/2011/04/estimation-of-cda-from-anthropometric.html
Assuming they have the same frontal aera, will a fatter/rounder/portly person with a more laminar profile be more aero than a skinnier/more cut/skeletor person with a more rounder/jagged profile?
I think a thin layer of body fat definitely helps with buoyancy in the water. Also, having a bit of fat stores can be useful on the run leg of an Ironman in terms of nutrition storage. So is there an optimal amount of body fat for optimal performance in triathlon?
This is in pink, so I don’t know if the joke is on me. But I’ll answer as if it was asked seriously.
This:http://www.trainingandracingwithapowermeter.com/…-anthropometric.html
Interesting. According to this estimate of Cd (“shape factor”) based on body mass, a heavier person does have an advantage (note the negative sign in the exponent).
Alternatively, Cd can be estimated from body mass using an equation derived by Heil based on a meta-analysis of the literature:
Cd (unitless) = 4.45 x mass (kg)^-0.45
The fact that I have seen this random-assed question come up TWICE means I have officially been a Slowtwitch member for too long. haha