login
Aero vs Weight
-
No new posts
 2009-07-15 9:51 AM |
 8 |  Subject: Aero vs WeightOkay, So I am in my second year of the endurance sports world. Last year I bought a "cheapo" road bike that has been great. This year I am looking to upgrade to a more competitive bike. I have been to LBS, but still seem to get conflicting answers. What is it that makes a bike "great"? I gather that it boils down to Aerodynamics, weight, and components. However, which is most important? Example, I found a nice Fuji Roubaix that is light (16lbs) and then a Kestrel Tri bike (heavier but better aero). The Kestrel is about $400 more with pretty much same components. Without taking $ into consideration, which is realistically best for a 10-20 mile flat ride in Florida? Also, are shifters that important if you are riding a relatively "flat" ride? Finally, how much overall difference does a good (expensive) bike really make? A few seconds in a 20 miler, or a few minutes? Thanks for any feedback! |
| 2009-07-15 9:57 AM in reply to: #2286621 |
Not a Coach 11473     Media, PA | Subject: RE: Aero vs Weight Aerodynamics matter the most. By a wide margin. Therefore, it is the bike that allows YOUR BODY to get into its most aerodynamic position that is the 'best'. The bike itself is a relatively small portion of the overall drag. YOU are the object that provides the most resistance. Select a bike that provides the best balance of comfort and aerodynamics for YOUR body. |
| 2009-07-15 10:03 AM in reply to: #2286621 |
| Subject: RE: Aero vs Weight Flat and straight road, aero beats weight every time. Hilly and/or technical and you're going to have to decide how hilly or how many turns and of what magnitude. In 20 miles you're not going to see THAT much difference once you get into okay-to-good bikes. 20 MPH is a 1 hour ride, 18 MPH makes it about 67 minutes. |
| 2009-07-15 10:05 AM in reply to: #2286621 |
| 8 | Subject: RE: Aero vs Weight Wow, thanks for the great, quick responses. Looks like I will be going with the aero bike....as long as I can tolerate an hour on that thing! |
| 2009-07-15 1:25 PM in reply to: #2286671 |
Resident Curmudgeon 25290 The Road Back Gold member | Subject: RE: Aero vs Weight DanielG - 2009-07-15 10:03 AM Flat and straight road, aero beats weight every time. Hilly and/or technical and you're going to have to decide how hilly or how many turns and of what magnitude. In 20 miles you're not going to see THAT much difference once you get into okay-to-good bikes. 20 MPH is a 1 hour ride, 18 MPH makes it about 67 minutes. Seven minutes in a 20-mile bike race is huge. |
| 2009-07-15 2:04 PM in reply to: #2287348 |
| Subject: RE: Aero vs Weight the bear - 2009-07-15 2:25 PM DanielG - 2009-07-15 10:03 AM Flat and straight road, aero beats weight every time. Hilly and/or technical and you're going to have to decide how hilly or how many turns and of what magnitude. In 20 miles you're not going to see THAT much difference once you get into okay-to-good bikes. 20 MPH is a 1 hour ride, 18 MPH makes it about 67 minutes. Seven minutes in a 20-mile bike race is huge. -eh- for me it's the difference between an "I feel great" ride and a "man alive, am I going to survive this hour?" ride. The bike would make a whole lot less a difference than all the other factors. |
| 2009-07-15 3:23 PM in reply to: #2286621 |
| 8 | Subject: RE: Aero vs Weight Yeah okay, but is the 7 minute difference from the bike or how you are "feeling" that day? I have to admit that I kind of question the $3,000K bikes out there. Are those expensive bikes made to be really be faster or do they have a placebo effect that makes you work that much harder? Hmm. perhaps a nice little sports psychology study we have here. Anyone know links to some findings through research? ha...can't get the science background to let go, Sorry. |
| 2009-07-15 4:13 PM in reply to: #2287705 |
Resident Curmudgeon 25290 The Road Back Gold member | Subject: RE: Aero vs Weight the 7-minute difference is just an arbitrary example comparing 18mph to 20mph. Has nothing to do with any bike comparison whatsoever. What makes a bike great. Fit. Plain and simple. If it fits, you're going to ride it more, generate more power, and be more aerodynamic. If you have two bikes that fit, what makes one greater than the other? Depends on what you value: frame geometry, frame design, frame material, level of components, snob appeal, paint job. Why, for example, did I just buy a $3,200 P2? Because it's the most aerodynamic, best designed frame at that price point, it fits like a glove, my LBS had one in my size that was red, and (most importantly) she didn't charge me $3,200. In the end, does it matter if it's a placebo effect or a real benefit? My favorite saying is, "If it only works in your mind, well, it still works." |
| 2009-07-15 4:34 PM in reply to: #2286621 |
Master 1718 Loughborough, England | Subject: RE: Aero vs Weight Aerodynamics on flat courses, weight on very hilly courses. |
| 2009-07-15 4:36 PM in reply to: #2286621 |
| 1072 | Subject: RE: Aero vs Weight It comes done to fit. If a TT/TRI bike is comfortable enough to ride aero position it is the way to go. But if is not comfortable it is not. I have voluntered at a few TRIs and seen many people on very aero designed bikes setting up and not staying in the aero position for a good part of the ride. I guess that a lot of them are not comfortable in the aero position. So they end up with the worst of both worlds. A heavier bike that they don't ride in the aero position. Get a bike that fits so you will want to ride a lot and improve the engine. |
| 2009-07-15 5:02 PM in reply to: #2286621 |
| 8 | Subject: RE: Aero vs Weight So I guess the next question is about Fit? What makes a good, aerodynamic fit? Is there a way that I can tell when I get on a bike, or do I have to trust my LBS for advice? Not that I dont trust my LBS, but I like to be an educated buyer. |
|
|
|
View profile
Add to friends
Go to training log
Go to race log
Send a message
View album
CONNECT WITH FACEBOOK