Pacelines, overlapping wheels and aerobars. What could possibly go wrong....

[Thug]

http://www.cycling-i...ssibly-go-wrong

 

 

Here is a YouTube video of a bunch of mates out on a training ride that ended badly. I've posted it here to help provide some insight into what can go wrong when you combine these three key elements together. Pacelines, overlapping wheels and aero bars. Read on for some important advice on riding in pacelines.

 

I'm not too sure as to what initiated this accident but I'm thinking it’s the guy coming through that backs off the speed just enough to cause the second rider to move left to avoid him, taking out the third rider’s front wheel in the process. You can see the third rider is freewheeling at the time when he hits the second rider’s rear wheel. All while he is diving back over to the right. He has to come off the aero bars to reach for the brakes, but too late...

 

The impact is so great that it takes out some of his spokes.

 

One of the possible reasons that the third rider is freewheeling into the second rider is that by riding on the aero bars he’s probably more aero than the rest of his mates. This means that by continually being on the aerobars he’s going to have to manage his speed a lot more than his buddies. This becomes even more of an issue because to do so he needs to come off the aero bars to feather his brakes.

 

He’s lucky to keep it upright with a wheel that’s unstable but unfortunately finally falls off when he rides off the road.

 

The rider that falls off is the only one on the aero bars at the time. The rest of his riding partners are either in the drops or on the tops of their aero bars.

 

Here are some pointers when riding in pacelines:

 

• Keep the speed as smooth as possible.
• Ride as straight a line down the road as possible. If you need to move sideways do so slowly and with the least possible movement.
• When overlapping wheels always be on the lookout for the rider in front of you swinging out on you and never dive at their rear wheel when coming across.
• It takes great bike handling skills and good quality smooth riding from all riders to have everyone riding on the aero bars. Something that takes a lot of practice to master.
• For the same reason that all track riders don't have brakes it's never a good idea to mix riders with aerobars and normal racing bars together, especially in a paceline.
• Avoid the temptation to hit the brakes, better to ride slightly out in the wind to use that to slow you down. The secret is to make these moves out into the wind a subtle as possible. If you ride on the track you get to master this technique very quickly. If you need to brake then feather them to manage your speed rather than grabbing them.

When riding in bunches it is bad cycling etiquette to ride on your aero bars unless you are on the front. Also, it's a good idea to always ride with cycling gloves.

[Tiny K]

EINA!!!!!!!

 

Edit: in retrospect that oke made a very dumb move by coming in too hot for the speed of his buddy in front of him.

Edited August 19, 2011 by Tiny K

[pastapouch]

DO NOT RIDE IN A BUNCH ON YOUR AERO BARS!!!

[Tankman]

Just imagine the chaos if TT bars were allowed in the DC!

 

It will be more of a bull-run than bike ride

[Thug]

DO NOT RIDE IN A BUNCH ON YOUR AERO BARS!!!

 

Its perfectly safe if,

 

- you are leading the bunch, or

- bringing up the rear

 

I used to use my TT quite regularly on our morning rides whilst training for IM.

[Mackem]

NCR Hijack - Thug - Did you see this today.....www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2027435/Liverpool-boss-Kenny-Dalglish-backs-latest-Hillsborough-campaign.html

[NotSoBigBen]

Back in my IM days you only rode 'on the tri bars' if you were in front!

[Azonic]

I used to do it many times during IM training. Never had a problem. I feel if you are an experienced rider and can "read" the bunch dynamics 10 seconds ahead, it is safe. By dynamics I mean you can almost predict when a crash will happen seconds before it does. New riders won't know what I'm talking about.

[Thug]

NCR Hijack - Thug - Did you see this today.....www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2027435/Liverpool-boss-Kenny-Dalglish-backs-latest-Hillsborough-campaign.html

 

Yes, saw that and I've filled in the petition (I am a British Citizen).

 

Joey Barton funnily enough has been punting it quite regularly on Twitter.

[Mackem]

Yes, saw that and I've filled in the petition (I am a British Citizen).

 

I will add my signature too! The last oneI signed was for housing benefits to be removed from rioters .

 

Joey Barton funnily enough has been punting it quite regularly on Twitter.

 

Please dont mention that tw@ts name! Hope he gets his legs taken out tomorrow!!

[pastapouch]

Its perfectly safe if,

 

- you are leading the bunch, or

- bringing up the rear

 

I used to use my TT quite regularly on our morning rides whilst training for IM.

but then again, why would you want to ride in a bunch on your TT? at the front or follow 10m behind...no wheelsucking, nothing, nadda...

[andydude]

I guess you have to take into account that when the 1st rider falls off the 2nd rider's speed might drop a tad due to wind conditions while the 3rd rider still slips the 2nd.

 

TTT is something you really have to train for!