Are you faster in the front or ther rear?

I'm faster in the front as per the wife's request. 

Oh wait, this is an aero wheel thread?  I don't know anything about that.

No, you are corrct. If you only have one, the front recieves the intial air contact and it's aerdynamic properties are more vital than the back.

Edited by bryancd 2010-08-02 1:26 PM

My understanding is that the front wheel has a greater effect, as it hits the air first. The rear is in air that is already turbulent becuase of your legs.

But I liked the other guys answer better! 

Probably a dumb follow up question but isn't the disc supposed to make things more aero?  If so, why do a lot of people have those on the rear?  

Throwing out a guess here but is it because of the cross winds?

Edited by Pector55 2010-08-02 1:31 PM

3-1 Front so far
Disc statement: I've never seen only a disc up front...
crosswinds affect both the front of the bike and the rear.
Is it a weight distribution issue?

Note: sunrise tri ad at the top of the page-Cervelo P4 disc rear and 808 front-why not switch it to be "more aero"?

.............

I believe you are correct about winds and handling.

Edited by jeffy_101 2010-08-02 1:39 PM

would riding a deep aero front and a training wheel rear cause handling issues in cross winds?

I think the votes were all front so far. 

oops my fault.
All front votes so far
The handling and aero front is a good point.
That may also explain the aero rear and weight combination issue.
................

I think a disc at the front is illegal.  Given a limited amount of resources I'm not sure why amateurs would spend the money on a disc rear wheel.  The rear wheel has less affect on the overall 'aeroness'  of the bike than the front.  I've seen it suggested that an aero rear wheel should be one of the last upgrades to a bike.

Yes and they are illegal in UCI and WTC races. I would imagine ITU and USAT as well.

Not necessarily and a toatlly different conversation.

You don't see a disc up front because it is generally illegal (may be used in some track applictions, I think).  The front is the more important of the two, but also has the bigger impact on handling.  A disc in the rear has relatively little handling impact (and, at least in some cases, can help "smooth" the airflow and reduce the impact of side winds) and is faster in most conditions.

But, if you can afford to get an aero front wheel, then you can probably spend the less than $100 it should take to get a disc cover for your rear wheel and have a very good aero set-up.

A disc front is illegal.  Not a deep aero front. 

Didnt realize there was a legality issue-THANKS!

Seems like topic is pretty squashed, unless people begin to argue it.

Gotta love BT's! Thanks

That's what I meant.

Cool thread.. I definitely learned from it. 

Figure out your budget and subtract $100. Buy the deepest, most aero front wheel you can find with what's left. Spend the $100 at wheelbuilder.com for a disc cover to put on the back.

Thanks Pector
As did I

x2

Shane