fuji_owner

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.

Unca_Sam

So lets assume that each rider decreases the aero on their bike equally. How can one save a few watts?

spdntrxi

last time I looked there was a number of items on the bike in front of my legs that hit the wind first. Bike is roughly 20% of the overall aero number... small but there.

Dean V

Plenty of data showing the gains from an aero frame.
Show me something which proves stiffer chain stays are more efficient at transferring power?

shelbyfv

Reinforces why engineers and physicists have to go to school and the importance of the scientific method. "Sounds good to me" can quickly lead one astray

mcours2006

Surprising that they haven't gone to using dimples on the frame like they do with golf balls...or maybe they have.🤷

Lemond1985

Riders with a lot of cellulite should benefit from this advantage, in theory.

topflightpro

Wow OP, that's such an amazing insight.

I guess all those guys on TT bikes are wasting their time too. They don't need those aero bikes or wheels or bars. They should just pedal faster on stiffer frames and their TT times will go down. Right?

firebird854

I will agree aero frames have a very small tangible benefit over regular frames, but to brazenly claim everyone who has bought this is "scammed" and to make assertions about "leg turbulence" without any sources, expertise etc? wow.

Keep in mind "aero" frames normally do more than have aerodynamic tube shapes, they often put you, the rider, in a more aggressive aero position, this is especially true with TT or Tri specific frames.

Unca_Sam

Interesting point.

If riders are... squishier... could we then move the extra around for a tail, for aero? Its not covered in the UCI rules.

DrIsotope

The aero frame is an open embrace of marginal gains. Say the aero frame and fork combine to save you a whole watt. Then you do ten other things that each save you a whole watt. See where this is going?

MoAlpha

Yeah, to > 7 pages.

DrIsotope

Well, winter is right around the corner.

Rides4Beer

The most important factors when it comes to aero are position and kit, those make the biggest difference.

Frame and wheels also contribute, but to a much smaller degree, that's when you start talking about taking seconds off your time. Altho, a true aero position usually only comes on an aero frame, so they usually go hand in hand. Don't see anyone putting a TT cockpit on their climbing bike, so that data comparison probably doesn't exist. lol

Manufacturer's will continue to market "aero" and "race/climbing" bikes, but the lines are definitely getting a little blurry. The SL6 Tarmac is almost as aero as the Venge, some say that simply putting more aero handlebars on the Tarmac will make up the difference.

tagaproject6

Just to annoy people like you.

indyfabz

'Posed to be 90 here in Philly on Wednesday.

wphamilton

Well he does have a point in that certain elements of the frame can be shaped to produce an aerodynamic benefit, while the shape of other portions are apparently mainly cosmetic.

But I have wondered since I started cycling, and still do, if it's all that helpful then why are there no lightweight facades over all of the small diameter tubes on our steel frame bikes? It would be cheap, weigh hardly anything, and give you almost the same the aero edge as the CF superbike frames. Other than rider position of course.

seypat

I have heard people say that aero frames/bikes can be magical!

mcours2006

S'not a scam. They look cool, and fast, and if it looks cool and fast then it's worth the extra $.

sheddle

They probably provide aerodynamic benefit but they're also really ugly so I support the OP.

Cypress

So all of that pesky scientific data is just bunk, yeah? I'd love to see your data, as it seems to contradict literally decades of testing and retesting.

nomadmax 

Please mail me four replacement paper towels that I used for cleaning coffee off my screen

As to the original topic. OP, when you get to cycling heaven, ask Laurent Fignon if he thinks the "aero thing" is a scam. (note the aero frame)

seypat

It's no myth. At least that's my excuse.

sheddle

If anyone asks, just say that with your aerodynamic frame and body shape, you can't lose weight cycling because going fast becomes effortless

tagaproject6

Wait until you see the Illusion of Drop Bars