Fastest (non-climbing) road bike
03-06-11, 12:38 PM
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Fastest (non-climbing) road bike
The current issue of Velonews tested four aero bikes (Felt AR1, Blue AC1SL, Ridley Noah, and Cervelo S3) with both lab equipment, wind tunnel, and subjective means and picked the Cervelo as the winner. The surprising thing to me is the Cervelo aero frame is 78 seconds faster over a regular bike in a 25K time trial and over two minutes with Zipp 404s. That's quite an improvement.
03-06-11, 02:14 PM
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There is more to a race than a bike's aero comparison in such tests.
03-06-11, 03:03 PM
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Bikes are not fast.
go train harder if you an to be faster
/thread
go train harder if you an to be faster
/thread
03-06-11, 03:17 PM
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That's quite an improvement.
There is more to a race than a bike's aero comparison in such tests.
go train harder if you an to be faster
Bikes are not fast.
03-06-11, 03:53 PM
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Hmm.. need to get myself a S3 with 404s.
03-06-11, 05:04 PM
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I'd still say the S3 is one of if not the most aero normal road bikes
03-06-11, 05:16 PM
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03-06-11, 05:27 PM
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The current issue of Velonews tested four aero bikes (Felt AR1, Blue AC1SL, Ridley Noah, and Cervelo S3) with both lab equipment, wind tunnel, and subjective means and picked the Cervelo as the winner. The surprising thing to me is the Cervelo aero frame is 78 seconds faster over a regular bike in a 25K time trial and over two minutes with Zipp 404s. That's quite an improvement.
03-06-11, 05:30 PM
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Well the real-world implication is that if I had one I'd be 80 seconds faster over the same course as my CAAD9.
The other real-world implication is that I lose between 80-100 seconds per 15 miles just turning my head to check out chicks.
Of course the other real-world implication is that I'd still be 80 seconds faster even while checking out the chicks.
The other real-world implication is that I lose between 80-100 seconds per 15 miles just turning my head to check out chicks.
Of course the other real-world implication is that I'd still be 80 seconds faster even while checking out the chicks.
03-08-11, 12:05 PM
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03-08-11, 12:49 PM
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Well the real-world implication is that if I had one I'd be 80 seconds faster over the same course as my CAAD9.
The other real-world implication is that I lose between 80-100 seconds per 15 miles just turning my head to check out chicks.
Of course the other real-world implication is that I'd still be 80 seconds faster even while checking out the chicks.
The other real-world implication is that I lose between 80-100 seconds per 15 miles just turning my head to check out chicks.
Of course the other real-world implication is that I'd still be 80 seconds faster even while checking out the chicks.
Real-world implication is that you can now turn back and pass them again for a second view while still finishing the ride at the time your wife expects you home. Now.. try telling her that's why you need the new bike...
03-08-11, 12:53 PM
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03-08-11, 01:41 PM
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03-08-11, 01:46 PM
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03-08-11, 01:53 PM
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Personally it is all about the rider.
you know how many people snicker and look down when I roll up this to TT's?
or show up to Road race with this?
Yet I always seem to do pretty well for having "non mainstream" or an "older" bike...
you know how many people snicker and look down when I roll up this to TT's?
or show up to Road race with this?
Yet I always seem to do pretty well for having "non mainstream" or an "older" bike...
03-08-11, 02:11 PM
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96_xj - It's one thing to be aware of differences and still say to one self, "the differences are small enough that I don't find it worth buying _____." It's another thing to ignore that the differences exist.
I own a non aero road bike because truly aerodynamic road bikes don't come cheap and some other personal reasons. That doesn't mean I need to deny the existence of scientifically proven facts.
I own a non aero road bike because truly aerodynamic road bikes don't come cheap and some other personal reasons. That doesn't mean I need to deny the existence of scientifically proven facts.
03-08-11, 02:29 PM
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I'd take any of those bikes from the test if VeloNews wanted to give them to me. Just sayin'
03-08-11, 02:58 PM
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As for the road bike, obviously if you're fast enough you can win on anything. It doesn't mean that you wouldn't be just a bit faster on a S3.
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03-08-11, 03:25 PM
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"Care to elaborate on what disadvantages the S3 incurred due to it's aero design?"
Most of the aerodynamic gains are from reducing frontal surface area, which is achieved by narrowing the frame, particularly at the headtube (most true aero bikes do not use tapered headtubes, and TT bikes still use 1 inch steerers), and by tucking in the chain and seatstays. So you would expect a narrow frame with a standard HT to feel flexy and have imprecise steering. Of course interestingly enough it displays neither if those characteristics. However in order to achieve adequate stiffness with such a narrow frame you generally have to use more, and a finer grade of carbon, which will make the bike heavier, and less compliant,and those are you primary drawbacks to the consumer. To the manufacturer development costs are much higher as the layups are significantly more complex, as are the molds. Not to mention the cost of wind tunnel testing. It's relatively easy to make a light stiff bike these days, you do so with large minimalistic tube design, which is also why so many bikes look nearly identical now. Though it's a different matter to make one that does not have the aerodynamic properties of the broad side of a barn
Most of the aerodynamic gains are from reducing frontal surface area, which is achieved by narrowing the frame, particularly at the headtube (most true aero bikes do not use tapered headtubes, and TT bikes still use 1 inch steerers), and by tucking in the chain and seatstays. So you would expect a narrow frame with a standard HT to feel flexy and have imprecise steering. Of course interestingly enough it displays neither if those characteristics. However in order to achieve adequate stiffness with such a narrow frame you generally have to use more, and a finer grade of carbon, which will make the bike heavier, and less compliant,and those are you primary drawbacks to the consumer. To the manufacturer development costs are much higher as the layups are significantly more complex, as are the molds. Not to mention the cost of wind tunnel testing. It's relatively easy to make a light stiff bike these days, you do so with large minimalistic tube design, which is also why so many bikes look nearly identical now. Though it's a different matter to make one that does not have the aerodynamic properties of the broad side of a barn