login
Value of an aero bike if you're not aero.
-
No new posts
 2018-07-13 1:25 PM |
 DC |  Subject: Value of an aero bike if you're not aero.Interesting how it's well-accepted that the rider contributes to some 80/85% of drag but it's also well-accepted that aero bikes are "just" faster. Even if the rider's not in a tucked-in position? I know I'm significantly faster on my tri bike but that's because I've been professionally fitted, i.e., I'm aero unlike on my roadie. I don't know, maybe I'm missing something about these non-tri aero bikes? |
| 2018-07-13 3:02 PM in reply to: Porfirio |
Champion  10668    Tacoma, Washington | Subject: RE: Value of an aero bike if you're not aero. Well, if your road position is as dialed as your tri position (for road riding), then it isn't going to change regardless of the bike you're on. If the bike itself produces less drag, then that's less drag of the bike/rider system. |
| 2018-07-13 3:39 PM in reply to: briderdt |
| DC | Subject: RE: Value of an aero bike if you're not aero. Originally posted by briderdt Well, if your road position is as dialed as your tri position (for road riding), then it isn't going to change regardless of the bike you're on. If the bike itself produces less drag, then that's less drag of the bike/rider system. So it will help reduce 15% of the drag, i.e., the bike. I think. There seems to be a premium price on the aero bikes. Just thinking out loud as to whether it's worth it if I'm not going to have my back parallel to the ground. |
| 2018-07-13 4:36 PM in reply to: #5246305 |
Member 622 Franklin, TN | Subject: RE: Value of an aero bike if you're not aero. All things being equal you're going to be faster on an aero road bike versus a regular road bike. There's still a lot of upper body drag if you're on the hoods but the aeroness of the frame allows you to go faster. A properly fitted triathlon bike is faster than either of the 2 road bike options since the drag from your upper body is minimized. |
| 2018-07-16 9:10 AM in reply to: JoelO |
| DC | Subject: RE: Value of an aero bike if you're not aero. Originally posted by JoelO All things being equal you're going to be faster on an aero road bike versus a regular road bike. There's still a lot of upper body drag if you're on the hoods but the aeroness of the frame allows you to go faster. A properly fitted triathlon bike is faster than either of the 2 road bike options since the drag from your upper body is minimized. Tri bike advantage is second to none... for sure. I just wonder how much faster an aero bike gets you. With a tri, I see some 3/4 MPH faster (don't have power meter). Can't imagine gains anywhere near that with a roadie position. |
| 2018-07-16 9:23 AM in reply to: Porfirio |
Master 2485 Atlanta, Georgia | Subject: RE: Value of an aero bike if you're not aero. Originally posted by Porfirio Originally posted by briderdt Well, if your road position is as dialed as your tri position (for road riding), then it isn't going to change regardless of the bike you're on. If the bike itself produces less drag, then that's less drag of the bike/rider system. So it will help reduce 15% of the drag, i.e., the bike. I think. There seems to be a premium price on the aero bikes. Just thinking out loud as to whether it's worth it if I'm not going to have my back parallel to the ground. Agreed; I somewhat believe it's a marketing thing rather than a stunning breakthrough in design. Since maximum aero should always be the design goal, it's probably just a matter of time before all road bikes are shaped for aero rather than having a niche frame at premium price.. |
| 2018-07-16 10:00 AM in reply to: Porfirio |
Extreme Veteran 695 Olathe | Subject: RE: Value of an aero bike if you're not aero. Frame geometry can vary drastically from bike to bike. Some might stretch riders out more, some frames allow the rear wheel to be in more allowing gains... it all depends. Plus, just because a bike goes through a wind tunnel and shaves off 0.05% off a competitor, it's more aero! Magic. So when someone says "more aero", it may technically be accurate but probably more a marketing gimmick than true advances in performance. |
| 2018-07-20 8:32 AM in reply to: TriJayhawkRyan |
| 31 | Subject: RE: Value of an aero bike if you're not aero. See, I am not aero. I had taken some time away from Tri and now and working my way back. I was never truly comfortable on a bike and a tri bike even less, but I did get a tri bike years ago. It is the only bike I got. Now I am trying to get back and I am have tons of trouble getting used to riding on the bars and it is not going well. I think I will trade my tri bike in for a road bike. I think you need to be able to use the Tri bike correctly to get the full benefit. Being comfortable on a road bike would be faster than just being on a tri bike |
| 2018-07-21 8:18 AM in reply to: muebele |
| 197 | Subject: RE: Value of an aero bike if you're not aero. muebele, What if you bought a new stem and some roadie (drop) handlebars and had them put on your tri bike? I guess you'd need some new brake/shifter handles as well, but I would think it would be lots cheaper than trading in your bike for a new one. And then when you decide you want to go back, you can just slap the original bars et al back onto the bike. J White |
| 2018-07-23 12:08 PM in reply to: Jwse30 |
| DC | Subject: RE: Value of an aero bike if you're not aero. Originally posted by Jwse30 muebele, What if you bought a new stem and some roadie (drop) handlebars and had them put on your tri bike? I guess you'd need some new brake/shifter handles as well, but I would think it would be lots cheaper than trading in your bike for a new one. And then when you decide you want to go back, you can just slap the original bars et al back onto the bike. J White But doesn't "comfort" from a well-fitted tri bike come from training? |
| 2018-07-25 9:25 AM in reply to: Porfirio |
Pro 5892 , New Hampshire | Subject: RE: Value of an aero bike if you're not aero. Originally posted by Porfirio But doesn't "comfort" from a well-fitted tri bike come from training? If you're reasonably fit, no. Difference between a poor fit and a good fit is that a good fit will give you skeletal support, not relying on muscular. In theory, you could have a very aero fit that is still a poor fit. |
| 2018-07-25 9:29 AM in reply to: Porfirio |
Pro 5892 , New Hampshire | Subject: RE: Value of an aero bike if you're not aero. If you're talking about sitting up on a tri bike, then you have no value of a tri bike. The benefit is the ability to be fitted in a position that is both aero and gives you skeletal support (not muscular). If you're reasonably fit, then you should be able to hold the aero position for the vast majority of your race distance. A bike fit is MUCH more than just how aero you can be. It needs to take core strength, flexibility, previous/current injuries/issues, race distance and race terrain in consideration; all to make a fit that work for YOU for the types of racing you do. This is why a fit for a sprint distance tend to be quite a bit more aggressive than an IM fit. |
| 2018-07-25 9:44 AM in reply to: JoelO |
Master 2406 Bellevue, WA | Subject: RE: Value of an aero bike if you're not aero. There's only a small benefit from an aero road bike vs. a more traditional shape. Many wind tunnel studies through the years show that an aero frame looks cool, but doesn't help much. Round tube frames don't contribute a lot of drag in the first place. More aero wheels do help, as do cleaner front ends, but not that much. Lighter helps too, and aero road bikes are frequently at the lighter end of the spectrum. Aero position on a tri bike is far better, since it's your body that obviously is by far the greatest source of drag. |
|
|
|
| |||
| |||
| |||
| |||
|
View profile
Add to friends
Go to training log
Go to race log
Send a message
View album
CONNECT WITH FACEBOOK