Illusion of "aero" bike frames
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Wait until you see the Illusion of Drop Bars
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#31
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Because drag increases with the square of velocity increase, marginal differences in the aerodynamics of the bike will have more benefit for fast riders than slow. Obviously, going from a hybrid frame to a TT frame is more than a marginal difference, but if your cruising speed is, say, 15 mph, you probably aren't going to see a whole lot of difference going to aero wheels, etc.
Obviously, the rider is the least aerodynamic element on the bike, which is why enclosing the rider in cowling is so much more effective at reducing drag than anything allowed by UCI or, for that matter, anything practical on the road.
Cowling a recumbent rider: https://qz.com/818769/the-worlds-fas...-go-at-89-mph/
Obviously, the rider is the least aerodynamic element on the bike, which is why enclosing the rider in cowling is so much more effective at reducing drag than anything allowed by UCI or, for that matter, anything practical on the road.
Cowling a recumbent rider: https://qz.com/818769/the-worlds-fas...-go-at-89-mph/
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Even if it's 1 second per hour faster, lots of aero road bikes look amazing.
Also, there's zero arguing if TT/tri bikes enter the argument. Hobbyist TT riders go fast enough, and triathletes go far enough.......that the marginal gain makes a difference. For an Ironman we're talking minutes. Which could mean a podium or AG slot to Kona for people.........or going home.
Even slow TT'ers will go downhill at some point at more than 30mph.
Also, there's zero arguing if TT/tri bikes enter the argument. Hobbyist TT riders go fast enough, and triathletes go far enough.......that the marginal gain makes a difference. For an Ironman we're talking minutes. Which could mean a podium or AG slot to Kona for people.........or going home.
Even slow TT'ers will go downhill at some point at more than 30mph.
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Refuse to believe people think aero bikes look good, regardless of them working or not. Smh. Any time I see one of those UCI-illegal tri-bikes, I'm thankful that for all the bad the UCI has done, they at least spared us from those monstrosities.
What's next, Softrides and Y-frame Treks having cult followings? Nah, that'd never happen.
What's next, Softrides and Y-frame Treks having cult followings? Nah, that'd never happen.
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Refuse to believe people think aero bikes look good, regardless of them working or not. Smh. Any time I see one of those UCI-illegal tri-bikes, I'm thankful that for all the bad the UCI has done, they at least spared us from those monstrosities.
What's next, Softrides and Y-frame Treks having cult followings? Nah, that'd never happen.
What's next, Softrides and Y-frame Treks having cult followings? Nah, that'd never happen.
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I actually kind of like the dropped-stay Tarmac look, and BMC's similar stuff- they're like the bike equivalent of a tiny-but-rapid sports car, or a hot hatch. It's stuff like the Madone with the eeeenormously obnoxious "TREK" decal on the wide aerotubes extending to the side of the headtube which is my current bete noir.
That, and the Dogma, which I think is one of the most ugly racing bikes I've ever seen.
That, and the Dogma, which I think is one of the most ugly racing bikes I've ever seen.
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Obviously, the rider is the least aerodynamic element on the bike, which is why enclosing the rider in cowling is so much more effective at reducing drag than anything allowed by UCI or, for that matter, anything practical on the road.
Wife: Honey, that shed you are building over your tool is getting a little large."
Me: "Heck, this ain't a tool shed, it's an aero cowling. It helps me ride faster." (wink, wink)
Wife: "In your dreams. I'm not feeling the benefit myself. But go on thinking that if you wish."
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I actually kind of like the dropped-stay Tarmac look, and BMC's similar stuff- they're like the bike equivalent of a tiny-but-rapid sports car, or a hot hatch. It's stuff like the Madone with the eeeenormously obnoxious "TREK" decal on the wide aerotubes extending to the side of the headtube which is my current bete noir.
That, and the Dogma, which I think is one of the most ugly racing bikes I've ever seen.
That, and the Dogma, which I think is one of the most ugly racing bikes I've ever seen.
While we're on the topic of aesthetics, I'm actually kind of weirdly glad that I ride a 56, because most bikes in bigger/smaller sizes just look odd. I get that we have no control over what size bike we need, but I'm still glad. lol
#39
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Most of the gains are from positioning the Rider in a lower position. Replicate the position and you are most of the way there. Combine with a aero front wheel, a helmet, shoe covers and a suit, and you picked most of the available/possible gains.
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As a recreational rider, if you think spending $5-10K on a CF Aero bike will make you 2% faster on a given ride.....go for it.
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OOPS, just found ---- https://www.velonews.com/2017/08/new...o-bikes_446744
"....The frameset
Since this is an aero bike, aero came first. Giant designed the bike at Aero Concept Engineering’s (ACE) wind tunnel at the Magny-Cours formula 1 racetrack in Nevers, France. The tunnel was originally designed for low-speed testing and operates on a closed loop circuit — both important to acquiring reliable data on a bicycle.
Giant’s relationship with ACE dates back to the first edition rim-brake Propel. With a mannequin mounted to the bike, Giant has what it believes is the best model for optimizing the design of the frame for real world conditions. Giant tested against the Trek Madone, Specialized Venge, and other top frames, and claims the Propel is fastest using its testing methods. Giant also claimed that its new Propel is faster than the old Propel. As of press time, Giant had not yet provided the actual data to back up these claims, though it says it’s coming....."
Not sure if actual data has been released yet but method was employed for comparison.
Last edited by OldTryGuy; 09-30-19 at 07:23 PM.
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The illusion of time
People think an aero bike will help them shave time off a 40k, but scientists don't even know what time is!
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I have no idea if he is correct or a moron, hence the 'proved'.
Didnt seem to take off
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Why do so many people get bought in on the "aero" frame scam?
No matter how aero a frame is built, the rider's leg movements generate such a huge turbulence, that all the aero effects are gone. For any real aero effects, air flow all around the bike frame needs to be laminar, not turbulent.
And no matter how low you get on the bike, you're still the biggest non-aero component of the bike+human system. You just being on the bike makes it fundamentally non-aero anyways.
You can more likely gain the touted effects of aero frames more by making the drive train and chain stays stiffer for more power transfer, and choosing tires with lower rolling resistance.
No matter how aero a frame is built, the rider's leg movements generate such a huge turbulence, that all the aero effects are gone. For any real aero effects, air flow all around the bike frame needs to be laminar, not turbulent.
And no matter how low you get on the bike, you're still the biggest non-aero component of the bike+human system. You just being on the bike makes it fundamentally non-aero anyways.
You can more likely gain the touted effects of aero frames more by making the drive train and chain stays stiffer for more power transfer, and choosing tires with lower rolling resistance.
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Cumulative gains....If you get to the coffee shop 5 seconds sooner, you may get there before the school bus, and avoid being stuck behind 15 middle-schoolers ordering pumpkin spice caramel macchiatos.
Thus saving 20 minutes!
Thus saving 20 minutes!
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