Are aero bikes faster ?
Discussion
Simple one really and I am sure it's been covered before so apologies for being boring , having just got out my good bike with the nicer weather , a trek emonda , a very nice bike and super lightweight I really enjoy riding it , I can't seem to get past a average speed and was wondering if an aero bike of some description would help ? I know deep section wheels may help but would maybe would not suit the emonda , any thoughts about how aero bikes real world performance most appreciated , part of me thinks it's a placebo effect , but I guess science can't lie
Various you tube videos on this where they take a light weight and aero model from the same manufacturer and get the same person to test around a velodrome for same distance pedalling as consistently as they can to give out same power output. Test repeated for different power levels. Aero is faster but difference only noticeable at higher power levels/higher speeds when wind resistance becomes more the limiting factor. From memory it's only when they get to around 25mph+ that you really see the difference.
As above
I find aero differences help once you start going past 22/25+ mph and even then with my ability its probably the placebo effect!
So yes to your question but not a lot, lots of marketing driving aero bike sales
If you want to get faster I would buy a few coaching sessions and get them to draw you up a training plan with your clear goals, or research it yourself and draw one up
Or simply ride more to get fitter/faster
I find aero differences help once you start going past 22/25+ mph and even then with my ability its probably the placebo effect!
So yes to your question but not a lot, lots of marketing driving aero bike sales
If you want to get faster I would buy a few coaching sessions and get them to draw you up a training plan with your clear goals, or research it yourself and draw one up
Or simply ride more to get fitter/faster
I’m a little faster on my Aeroad vs Endurace. Slightly more aggressive riding position is probably the biggest factor in my case. That said the Aeroad feels considerably faster when in the saddle.
GCN have done a recent video pitting the flagship Aeroad against a budget aluminium Endurace which is an interesting watch.
GCN have done a recent video pitting the flagship Aeroad against a budget aluminium Endurace which is an interesting watch.
Simply put aero wheels and frames are less draggy, less drag equals less watts required to sustain a given speed.
Each will save a few watts, which as said above is quite hard to distinguish though.
It doesn't sound like the limiting factor at present is your bike or wheels though, you should be able to increase your avg speed on any bike as a result of an increase in fitness and power.
Each will save a few watts, which as said above is quite hard to distinguish though.
It doesn't sound like the limiting factor at present is your bike or wheels though, you should be able to increase your avg speed on any bike as a result of an increase in fitness and power.
Yes Aero bikes are quicker, and more so at faster speeds. However, after parting with all that cash you are, in all likelihood, going to be disappointed with how marginal the gains are.
Clothing and body position make a huge difference in comparison so if you're wearing gear that's in the slightest bit loose, or you haven't had a bike fit, then these will yield a much greater return per £ spent. If you can't get into a more aero position (by dropping the stem) comfortably then working on core strength and flexibility will help with this - for free!
If you're using durable tyres like gatorskins then switching to a faster tyre could easily save you 15w which would be noticeable in terms of speed. I run fast "summer" tyres all year round and get no more punctures than I used to on slow, stiff "winter" tyres.
Clothing and body position make a huge difference in comparison so if you're wearing gear that's in the slightest bit loose, or you haven't had a bike fit, then these will yield a much greater return per £ spent. If you can't get into a more aero position (by dropping the stem) comfortably then working on core strength and flexibility will help with this - for free!
If you're using durable tyres like gatorskins then switching to a faster tyre could easily save you 15w which would be noticeable in terms of speed. I run fast "summer" tyres all year round and get no more punctures than I used to on slow, stiff "winter" tyres.
If you train harder, wear suitable clothing and have a perfect bike fit, on a standard road bike you will be faster.
Then on top of that, a well designed aero bike will help to you be a little bit faster still (maybe 1 minute per hour faster).
The next step up is pointy helmet and full-on TT bike with disc/trispoke wheels, then some professional coaching, contracting asthma, EPO, etc.
Ultimately, the only limiting factors are one's wallet and time.
Then on top of that, a well designed aero bike will help to you be a little bit faster still (maybe 1 minute per hour faster).
The next step up is pointy helmet and full-on TT bike with disc/trispoke wheels, then some professional coaching, contracting asthma, EPO, etc.
Ultimately, the only limiting factors are one's wallet and time.
Serious reply now.
There is lower-hanging fruit to pick before going to expense of a full-on aero road bike.
Skin suit
Aero road helmet (mine was £20 from PX and is excellent)
Faster rubber and latex tubes
Improve your flexibility and drop the front end of your current rig
Shave your legs
Aero water bottles
Deeper section wheelset
Train a lot more
Lose a lot of weight (when your family is planning a dietary intervention, you're at your ideal cycling weight)
Have a s
t before a hilly course
Etc etc
There is lower-hanging fruit to pick before going to expense of a full-on aero road bike.
Skin suit
Aero road helmet (mine was £20 from PX and is excellent)
Faster rubber and latex tubes
Improve your flexibility and drop the front end of your current rig
Shave your legs
Aero water bottles
Deeper section wheelset
Train a lot more
Lose a lot of weight (when your family is planning a dietary intervention, you're at your ideal cycling weight)
Have a s
t before a hilly courseEtc etc
Barchettaman said:
Serious reply now.
Etc etc
Couldn't agree more with that. The bike is only 25-30% of the total aerodynamic drag, the other 70-75% is the fat fEtc etc
k with the flappy jersey riding it.No point getting obsessed with aero unless you're time trialling, and then a skin suit and helmet should come before an aero frame and wheels.
I needed a new helmet after a crash and bought a Specialized S-Works Evade (RRP £160, I paid £115 with discounts), I could actually feel the difference riding at around 25mph, and it was also silent compared with my old helmet. A proper aero helmet is worth more than any set of aero wheels money can buy, which in turn make slightly more difference than an aero frame.
http://fitwerx.com/bicycle-aerodynamics/
That said, why can't I stop looking at Aeroads in the factory outlet? I guess it will feel lovely and fast to ride thats why. And that's all that matters.
RLE said:
I’m a little faster on my Aeroad vs Endurace. Slightly more aggressive riding position is probably the biggest factor in my case. That said the Aeroad feels considerably faster when in the saddle.
GCN have done a recent video pitting the flagship Aeroad against a budget aluminium Endurace which is an interesting watch.
That was a great vid, I can't believe Canyon actually endorsed it.GCN have done a recent video pitting the flagship Aeroad against a budget aluminium Endurace which is an interesting watch.
Here it is in case anyone is interested:
Super Bike Vs. Mid-Range Bike | What Really Is The Difference?
How far do you ride a month on average? How many metres climbed per month?
Love the Emonda btw that’s what I ride.
I’ve just joined my local cycling club hoping to improve by doing some TT.
If you’re knocking out the top tens and KOMs on strava then an aero bike will make a difference.
Love the Emonda btw that’s what I ride.
I’ve just joined my local cycling club hoping to improve by doing some TT.
If you’re knocking out the top tens and KOMs on strava then an aero bike will make a difference.
MiseryStreak said:
That was a great vid, I can't believe Canyon actually endorsed it.
Here it is in case anyone is interested:
Super Bike Vs. Mid-Range Bike | What Really Is The Difference?
Thread title is an aero bike faster not cheap bike expensive bike. Lost interest when they tested back to back with different gear ratios. All they proved is law of diminishing returns is strong with bikes, cars, watches..... ummm whatever.Here it is in case anyone is interested:
Super Bike Vs. Mid-Range Bike | What Really Is The Difference?
Unless you are super good, buy whatever you like and enjoy the placebo effect. Just getting out on a bike will make you better.
Skinsuits and helmets can save watts but biggest aero gains will be reducing stack height, binning the 44cm bars, cranks that are too long and seats too low.
Loads of people buy an aero frameset expecting gains, but have 3inches of stack, round (wide) bars and skinny wheels. Then they complain that they are 1 sec faster over 30kms despite going aero. No you just compromised comfort and position and didn't like it. I can climb some hills quicker on my Cinelli Bolt with a 48/16 than I can a Madone 9.9 with Da9079 and a 52/36. All that means is I bail or pussy out when given the opportunity and FA else.
stongle said:
Skinsuits and helmets can save watts but biggest aero gains will be reducing stack height, binning the 44cm bars, cranks that are too long and seats too low.
Loads of people buy an aero frameset expecting gains, but have 3inches of stack, round (wide) bars and skinny wheels. Then they complain that they are 1 sec faster over 30kms despite going aero. No you just compromised comfort and position and didn't like it. I can climb some hills quicker on my Cinelli Bolt with a 48/16 than I can a Madone 9.9 with Da9079 and a 52/36. All that means is I bail or pussy out when given the opportunity and FA else.
Good point - if you can train yourself to ride 38cm bars, they're miles (an hour) faster!Loads of people buy an aero frameset expecting gains, but have 3inches of stack, round (wide) bars and skinny wheels. Then they complain that they are 1 sec faster over 30kms despite going aero. No you just compromised comfort and position and didn't like it. I can climb some hills quicker on my Cinelli Bolt with a 48/16 than I can a Madone 9.9 with Da9079 and a 52/36. All that means is I bail or pussy out when given the opportunity and FA else.
jontysafe said:
How far do you ride a month on average? How many metres climbed per month?
Love the Emonda btw that’s what I ride.
I’ve just joined my local cycling club hoping to improve by doing some TT.
If you’re knocking out the top tens and KOMs on strava then an aero bike will make a difference.
I just got my strava email with my April stats , I managed 505km last month so ok I reckon , it's pretty flat where I live so total meters climbed was just shy of 3000, maybe I should try and borrow an aero bike see how I get on with it , see if it gives me a bad back Love the Emonda btw that’s what I ride.
I’ve just joined my local cycling club hoping to improve by doing some TT.
If you’re knocking out the top tens and KOMs on strava then an aero bike will make a difference.
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