Geek Factor vs. Aero Factor

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2010-08-23 6:57 PM

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Elite
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Ontario
Subject: Geek Factor vs. Aero Factor

I ride a road bike with aero bars - at some point I hope to upgrade to a Tri Bike, but it will be a road bike for a while to come.  With that in mind, my wife was asking if I'd be interested in an Aero Helmet as a birthday or xmas gift.

Too geeky with the road bike and clip ons?
Not Geeky enough?

My other question, is there a point to adding a disc cover for my powertap on the same road bike (no front aero wheel)?  How does this sit on the geek scale - and would you do it?

2010-08-23 7:06 PM
in reply to: #3059930

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Master
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Guilford, CT
Subject: RE: Geek Factor vs. Aero Factor
IMHO, effort saved is effort saved.

Aero helmet and aero wheels and road bike is better than non-aero helmet and non-aero wheels.

Bike Radar has an old post that addresses this:
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/how-aero-is-aero-19273

Most relevant to you below:

Wind tunnel data

Set-upWind Tunnel 0 CdA (m^2)Speed (km/h) at 278WPower req'd at 40km/h (W)*

Tarmac SL2 | Road Helmet | Drop bars0.301940.00278.3
Tarmac SL2 | Road Helmet | Clip-on aerobars0.266241.65248.9
Tarmac SL2 | TT2 Helmet | Clip-on aerobars0.254742.25239.5
2010-08-23 7:11 PM
in reply to: #3059930

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Elite
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Spring, TX
Subject: RE: Geek Factor vs. Aero Factor

GoFaster - 2010-08-23 6:57 PM

I ride a road bike with aero bars - at some point I hope to upgrade to a Tri Bike, but it will be a road bike for a while to come.  With that in mind, my wife was asking if I'd be interested in an Aero Helmet as a birthday or xmas gift.

Too geeky with the road bike and clip ons?
Not Geeky enough?

My other question, is there a point to adding a disc cover for my powertap on the same road bike (no front aero wheel)?  How does this sit on the geek scale - and would you do it?

Plus, you're a triathlete, so you're automatically a geek anyway! 

Aero gains are aero gains.  There are no rules saying that in order to use a disc, you need an aero front wheel.  Front wheel may have a larger impact, but you'll still see gains from the rear disc cover. 

As far as geekiness goes...who cares?  Race for yourself and do what makes you happy.  Wear the helmet, as it will make you faster. 

(looks around for the emergence of the aero trolls...)

 

2010-08-23 7:34 PM
in reply to: #3059956

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Champion
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Knoxville area
Subject: RE: Geek Factor vs. Aero Factor
AndrewMT - 2010-08-23 8:11 PM

(looks around for the emergence of the aero trolls...)

A Challenger Appears!

Seriously... as far as the geekiness goes... you might has well get used to it. I mean... it's kind of liberating, if in a Richard Simmons kind of way.

Disc Cover, sounds like a perfectly good idea to me. 
Aero benefits are Aero benefits. If a helmet and a disc cover are in the cards, you won't hear any flak from this guy.
2010-08-23 8:01 PM
in reply to: #3059930

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Champion
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Columbia, South Carolina
Subject: RE: Geek Factor vs. Aero Factor
Not even close to geeky enough.  Get the helmet and the cover.  Those are prerequisites.  Then we can start talking about how to approach geekdom on the bike.
2010-08-23 8:17 PM
in reply to: #3059930

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Subject: RE: Geek Factor vs. Aero Factor

You throw the geek factor out the door the instant you start wearing spandex IMO.

2010-08-23 8:22 PM
in reply to: #3059989

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Elite
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Spring, TX
Subject: RE: Geek Factor vs. Aero Factor

Leegoocrap - 2010-08-23 7:34 PM
AndrewMT - 2010-08-23 8:11 PM

(looks around for the emergence of the aero trolls...)

A Challenger Appears!

Seriously... as far as the geekiness goes... you might has well get used to it. I mean... it's kind of liberating, if in a Richard Simmons kind of way.

Disc Cover, sounds like a perfectly good idea to me. 
Aero benefits are Aero benefits. If a helmet and a disc cover are in the cards, you won't hear any flak from this guy.

But don't we need to provide the OP with the rules on how fast you have to go before earning the right to use specific aero devices? 

2010-08-23 8:27 PM
in reply to: #3059930

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Expert
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Pfafftown, NC
Subject: RE: Geek Factor vs. Aero Factor

Plus, you're a triathlete, so you're automatically a geek anyway! 

I just wanna know why this was in red!

2010-08-23 8:42 PM
in reply to: #3060072

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Champion
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Columbia, South Carolina
Subject: RE: Geek Factor vs. Aero Factor
nc452010 - 2010-08-23 9:27 PM

Plus, you're a triathlete, so you're automatically a geek anyway! 

I just wanna know why this was in red!



Oh you are so right.  I stopped during a long ride the other day to buy more water, and some dude eating his Saturday morning biscuits and gravy in the local gas station/'restaurant' turned to his bud and said -- very clearly talking about me -- "get a load of this guy".  At first I thought "WTF is he talking about" and then I realized, yeah, he's basically right.
2010-08-23 8:53 PM
in reply to: #3060104

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Elite
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Spring, TX
Subject: RE: Geek Factor vs. Aero Factor

Experior - 2010-08-23 8:42 PM
nc452010 - 2010-08-23 9:27 PM

Plus, you're a triathlete, so you're automatically a geek anyway! 

I just wanna know why this was in red!



Oh you are so right.  I stopped during a long ride the other day to buy more water, and some dude eating his Saturday morning biscuits and gravy in the local gas station/'restaurant' turned to his bud and said -- very clearly talking about me -- "get a load of this guy".  At first I thought "WTF is he talking about" and then I realized, yeah, he's basically right.

We all have different standards for geekiness.  I see spandex and shaved legs and don't think twice.  I see NASCAR stickers and woodland camouflage and can't help but snickering at the redneck geekiness. 

Hence the red font.  I don't accept the geekiness!

2010-08-23 8:54 PM
in reply to: #3059930

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Master
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Central Indiana
Subject: RE: Geek Factor vs. Aero Factor
Remember that although the relative (percentage) time gains may be more important for the speedy pros, the absolute time gains from aero equipment are larger (to a point) for slower riders.  Makes sense because slower rider is on the course for longer absolute time.

Although my tri bike speed ave for Oly now is only ~21mph (road bike), I'll admit to wearing an aero helmet.  But when it gets too hot I grab std road helm for better ventilation.

2010-08-23 9:12 PM
in reply to: #3060125

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Champion
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Columbia, South Carolina
Subject: RE: Geek Factor vs. Aero Factor
AndrewMT - 2010-08-23 9:53 PM

I don't accept the geekiness!


That made me laugh!  And in your honor I just finished my first gin and tonic in about 2 years.  (Only one -- big LT test on the bike tomorrow!)
2010-08-23 9:27 PM
in reply to: #3060160

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Elite
4235
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Spring, TX
Subject: RE: Geek Factor vs. Aero Factor

Experior - 2010-08-23 9:12 PM
AndrewMT - 2010-08-23 9:53 PM

I don't accept the geekiness!


That made me laugh!  And in your honor I just finished my first gin and tonic in about 2 years.  (Only one -- big LT test on the bike tomorrow!)

I did an FTP test last week.  The night before included a Gin & Tonic and I followed the workout with another Gin & Tonic.  Best FTP I've ever tested!

Sorry, I'll stop the hijack!

2010-08-24 1:25 PM
in reply to: #3059930

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NH
Subject: RE: Geek Factor vs. Aero Factor
Too geeky and triathlete cannot be included in the same sentence.  Several state and federal statutes are in play with that.

Edited by wbayek 2010-08-24 1:26 PM
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