Check out this site…
http://damonrinard.com/aero/aerodynamics.htm
There is a chart about 1/2 way down that shows apparent savings in time due to equipment. Do these times seem real?
Thanks, Jamma.
That’s funny you put this up. I’ve seen this before (yes, I have no life- I only do this…).
My impression was that there may be a degree of accuracy to some of it. It’s so tough to tell.
One thing from my perspective, I would suggest the time savings with aero wheels might be larger, and I was surprised by what he stated the helmet was worth. Interesting.
A lot of room for valid argument/dispute here though, as with any testing. I default to what Dan Empfield said, “You can’t test for that…”
Here’s the link again:
I think there is some merit to looking at the total package and trying to eliminate things flapping in the wind, but to assign seconds to this and that is a wild assed guess at best. Taking a drink out of a waterbottle will cost a few seconds. That study was petty big news when it came out and at least got people thinking of aero. It is interesting to tell someone their bike is now 24 seconds faster in an hour than it used to be. But you still have to pedal to make it go. Lemond was more interested in using the aerobars as a pulling lever than an aero feature. He figured he could put a couple more watts to the pedals using his arms.
Yup, Chet Kyle’s magic list. Probably as near “real world” as you’d ever see, though it’s pretty old. The equipment listed there you basically can’t get any more. I think the brakes he used were Campy Delta’s, and when he says “aero brake levers” he’s meaning as oppposed to the old style levers where the cable is exposed (coming out of the top of the lever). The Cinelli aero bar that he refers to is NOT of the aero clip-on type – he’s talking about what we now consider a base bar (I had one of these long ago).
Has anyone come across a somewhat updated list? Disk vs Tri spoke? He mentions disk in front and back, but I don’t normally see that setup. Maybe a hed 3 in front and disk rear…
Used to see front disks with pure cyclists back in the day (and especially trackies). They’re not even legal on the road now (as they are EXTREMELY unstable in even light winds).
If triathlon is to become popular as a spectator sport, maybe we should re-think this rule. Put a bunch of people with limited cycling experience on aero-bars with disks front and rear. Add a cross-wind or two and watch the fun. Maybe a bandage company would sponsor.
Oh, and while we’re at it, add spiked elbow pads, bladed hubs…
A quote from the linked article…
"At higher speeds the time gained becomes smaller because of the shorter riding time. "
This makes sense…so if I ride slower I will save more time…that’s what I have been doing wrong all this time! 
Michael
You’d need to test in combination and varying yaws for all to be sure. It’s a guide but I do think now that some claims aren’t as substantial as listed when used under ‘real’ conditions.
jamma,
Check out John Cobb’s research. I think he tested these wheels and you could get results of his wind tunnel testing. A Google search should get you what you want.
As for a disk on the front, this set up is used on the track frequently, but not on the road. I don’t believe its legal in UCI or USCF sanctioned races and that is why you don’t see it there.