I just finished my first 1/2 iron with an avg. bike speed of 20.0 mph in somewhat windy conditions. My questions is, if I add an aero helmet (either a Giro Advantage 2 or a Spiuk) and a disk cover (the kind from wheelbuilder.com), with the same effort, would my speed pick up any? I know that there is a magic number you have to be traveling at on the bike to get benefits from aero equipment, but what about going below that speed in a strong head wind? Thanks…
First, can you please change your name. There are too many people that start with Cervelo and it confuses my tiny mind.
Second, there is no magic number. For example, when it is windy on your road bike, can’t you go faster when you get into a more aero position (hands on drops) even if you are only going 10 mph?
All conditions being equal, you will gain speed. This is an older article but demonstrates the basic aero principles.
ok, I’ll give it a look – thanks
.
I just finished my first 1/2 iron with an avg. bike speed of 20.0 mph in somewhat windy conditions. My questions is, if I add an aero helmet (either a Giro Advantage 2 or a Spiuk) and a disk cover (the kind from wheelbuilder.com), with the same effort, would my speed pick up any? Yes. This is a fact.
I know that there is a magic number you have to be traveling at on the bike to get benefits from aero equipment, but what about going below that speed in a strong head wind? Thanks…
This is a myth. You will go faster regardless - see above.
You can also get free speed increases by improving your position, removing the dozen bottles from the bike, using the aerobars, cling filming over the vents on your current lid, or training smarter. 
nope, slower you go the more time you save, even though you save less watts
I know that there is a magic number you have to be traveling at on the bike to get benefits from aero equipment, but what about going below that speed in a strong head wind? Thanks…
You can also get free speed increases by improving your position, removing the dozen bottles from the bike, using the aerobars, cling filming over the vents on your current lid, or training smarter.
I would be willing to listen to any advice on ‘training smarter’ – I had never gone over 50 miles on the bike before the race (not smart, and my run was terrible, nothing close to what I was expecting, my heart felt like it was going to explode). What would be a better way to train, shorter intervals of high intensity or going out for centuries?
you did 20mph with no aero gimmicks so you aren’t doing too bad.
=)
unless of course as he says his run is a disaster…