big john

I saw that! Some former world tour pros and continental pros on that list. I still think a sub 5 hour time is pretty fast for a rec rider. One of my friends who did it more than once is a former college lineman and the lightest I've seen him is 265#. The definition of an ox.

Jughed

That sub 4 hour list is made up of all sorts of ex world tour pro's and, current racers and crit racers. Like guys that won stages at the grand tours, won monuments, completed 17 TDF's...

I follow Hincapie on Strava, saw his 3:55 at the last Tuscon - 330W average for 4 hours. Weee bit more than a "solid" rider required for that sort of effort. Elite may be a better word.

tomato coupe

Hincapie was likely on the front a lot of that time. I averaged only 217 W when I did a 4:16 century (4:13 was a typo). I was on pace to break 4:00 (26.2 mph at 70 miles with a 234 W average), but made an error when we turned into a crosswind section and got guttered out of the echelon. Those power levels are attainable by a lot of cyclists. It's all about efficient group riding.

Jughed

I need better drafting partners and an aero bike!!!

eduskator

Flat like a pancake! I can't find any century itinerary under 5000ft where I live. With no or low wind speed, the average speed of a group of solid riders must be crazy!

Jughed

Flat like a pancake are our centuries in lower Delaware. My last one was 1200' total, with 300' of that going over one bridge 4 times. But we have 20+mph headwinds coming off the ocean most of the rides.

Y'all are selling me on an aero bike.

big john

You need to lose weight and get shorter.

Jughed

Dammit man, I thought an aero bike is all I needed.

Reality - 6', 190#, wide shoulders - 280W gets me 23 mph.

eduskator

Try narrower bars before a N+1, your wallet can thank me later!

In that case, buy a N+1 Aerorace bikes will perform better on flat rides + headwinds for sure.

big john

I'm 6'2", down to 200# , and my back is not flexible. I'm as aero as a brick. People coast away from me on steep descents.

On the other hand, I make a lot of friends when there is a headwind.

bruce19

I'm not the most sensitive cyclist. But, switching from clinchers to tubeless was clearly a difference. So, I guess that's something.

NoWhammies

So after 500km, what are your thoughts now? When do you pick your Aero bike to ride vs. your all round climbing bike? Is the distance of the ride a factor? For example if you are going out for 3+ hours, you go for the all around bike, and anything under 3hrs you go for the aero bike?

Jrasero

IMO with all-around or light weight aero bikes, I would go aero all the time. If your complete aero bike is 16lbs-17lbs I find that more than light enough while having the faster bike.

I think the only reason we have had a resurgence in this debate between aero vs light weight is because aero bikes have ballooned is size and electronic 12 speed has added weight and it was wasn't uncommon to see 19lb aero bikes in the past. Also, for a little while the Aethos broke the idea that ALL bikes need to follow the UCI weight rules, but it's clear that the new Scott Foil RC, Giant Propel, Crevelo Soloist, and Specialized Tarmac SL 7 are proving that aero doesn't have to mean boat anchor like weight and that bikes can be multi faceted

VegasJen

Indeed. I do a triathlon out here in October that's a point-to-point ride. I've learned to only do the sprint, not the Olympic. Main reason is the last six miles of the bike route, regardless of sprint or Ollympic, is a 1300ft climb. Even at the end of October, the temperature in Vegas can be unbearable. Heat plus constant incline is just sadistic.

big john

Especially a hot climb with a slight tailwind so you just bake.

VegasJen

Yes. I have experienced that. ~10mph tailwind while climbing makes the air feel steady. No relief at all.

bruce19

I saw a GCN video in which 3 riders rode a course on an aero bike and a traditional bike. The course had a climb, descent and flats. One of the riders actually climbed faster (marginally) on the aero bike. I've also seen that the aero effect begins at something like 10 mph and the disadvantage of climbing depends on elevation %. As if it wasn't confusing enough for me.

eduskator

Yes, lots of factors to consider... The most important one being how you feel on the bike though

I watched this video but it's not really scientific since it wasn't the same individual who did the same route 3 times on 3 the bikes. Even then, fatigue and other external factors (IE wind) could have biased the test.

PeteHski

This analysis from Swiss Side has been posted on a few other similar threads. It covers the physics and relative importance of aero, weight and wheel rotational inertia on different course profiles. The conclusions are pretty clear.

https://www.swissside.com/blogs/news/aero-vs-weight

bruce19

Thanks

eduskator

This is a wheel test though, not a aero race bike VS all-rounder / climbing bike. In fact, they don't even mention what bike was used.

PeteHski

It's a test of aero vs lightweight climbing wheels. Weight difference is 435g. That's almost 1 lb, which is about the difference between an aero and climbing bike at the same tier level. The aero effect would be even more dominant if you were comparing aero vs non-aero frames in addition to wheels.

For me the only real potential downside of an aero bike is less comfort on long events. That's the only reason I prefer my Endurace over an Aeroad. A lot of the pros just ride their aero bike everywhere and tests like this show why.

Jughed

The climbing wheels looked to be pretty aero as well. I imagine the delta would be even larger if they used lightweight rims with a more traditional box profile.

bruce19

I had one of those "What the hell" moments and bought this bike: https://www.canyon.com/en-us/road-bi...n-product-grid

They didn't have it in the Alpecin blue but grays are really my colors anyway.

eduskator

I would like to read data on this, do you have some? I am curious since I feel slower on my Aerorace bike as compared to my climbing bike. Both are equally equipped, but the Aerorace one is roughly 1.25lbs heavier. As an example, I did one of my favorite ride around where I live twice last week with my 2 bikes and with sufficient rest between both rides.

Distance : 80.20km (49.9mi)
Total elevation: 778m (2552ft)
Direction : North all the way up, then South all the way back.

2021 Giant TCR Pro 0 with 42mm wheels (7.5kg)
Power: 212w (measured with a Giant Power Pro PM)
Average speed: 30.4kph (18.9mph)
Wind: 12.9kph (8.06 mph) NNW

2023 Giant Propel Pro 0 with 50mm wheels (8.07kg)
Power: 202w (measured with a Giant Power Halo PM)
Average speed: 29.8kph (18.5mph)
Wind: 19.8kph (12.37mph) ENE

I had a headwind going up on the first ride and a backwind going down, most of the time
I had a side wind going up and down on the 2nd ride, most of the time

Are there any stats geek on this forum that could help me figure out how to compare apples with apples here?