eddy Posted June 30, 2015 Posted June 30, 2015 I have looked at all the new aero frames being launched over the last year or two and they all tell us how much more aerodynamic they are than the previous year's model, and the numbers are certainly impressive. But does it really make a difference ? When looking at a rider on a bike front on, surely the overwhelming contributor to drag is created by the rider, with the profile of the frame being of negligible consequence ? if a frame is 30% more aero than its predecessor, how much more aero is the whole if the geometry remains the same ? Wheels, yes; getting the rider into a more comfortable and aerodynamic position, yes; but hiding the brake caliber when the thing is in any event hidden behind Marcel Kittel's fast moving quads, surely marketing hype ?
JanJan Posted June 30, 2015 Posted June 30, 2015 Like all sport equipment, it depends who uses it. If the skin-suit, aero-bike and shaved legs is used by Chris Froome on a TT and he reduces his time by 1 sec over 20 km, it did its job. But for 99.9% of the population its pretty much useless. Manufacturers can actually just stop with all these technical 'improvements'. Just make a bike pretty and it will sell better than any 'aero' bike
TALUS Posted June 30, 2015 Posted June 30, 2015 I have looked at all the new aero frames being launched over the last year or two and they all tell us how much more aerodynamic they are than the previous year's model, and the numbers are certainly impressive. But does it really make a difference ? When looking at a rider on a bike front on, surely the overwhelming contributor to drag is created by the rider, with the profile of the frame being of negligible consequence ? if a frame is 30% more aero than its predecessor, how much more aero is the whole if the geometry remains the same ? Wheels, yes; getting the rider into a more comfortable and aerodynamic position, yes; but hiding the brake caliber when the thing is in any event hidden behind Marcel Kittel's fast moving quads, surely marketing hype ?Exactly my thinking. I am an absolute sucker for new technology but I have never been convinced about this. I wonder if a negative stem doesn't do more than shaping the tubes.
eddy Posted June 30, 2015 Author Posted June 30, 2015 I wonder if a negative stem doesn't do more than shaping the tubes. That I can understand, it changes the big part of the package.
Christie Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 Roadies ride in bunches, I would guess for 95% it would make no difference. The marketing spin doctors have not thought of an aero mtb for marathons, yet.
RastaMan Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 You should check GCN video on are aero bikes really faster than normal ones They take two boardman bikes, one aero one notAnd test it by riding identical power on both over certain distances I think the end result was that you only start to see a diff, I think it was 2 min over 40 km, if you are reading at 300w, below 300w they where almost identical.
Butterbean Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 They're only beneficial if you're finding yourself in the break often, or on long solos. And this is assuming you've gone off the front, and not spat out the back because if you were tossed you're not going fast enough for the aero to have its benefit. I reckon if you want an aero advantage, grab a aero helmet and some deep wheels and you'll be okay. I like the aero frame simply because they look quite pretty. But I'm too fat and too slow to ever justify having one.
'Dale Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 Diversify your product - aero, climbing, weight weenie deluxe version, etc.Attract a wide range of customers, like the average amateur who is always keen to show off the newest buy.Boom! Make some moola. *** Love it all.A weird and wonderful sport.
Thor Buttox Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 When they start talking about aero-mtb's you'll know it is just another money making thing.... (just me being cynical, cos I can't find tubeless tyres for my manky, beat up 26er)
Wez-O Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 I did have a laugh at Specialized going on about how much time their new aero Venge saves a rider over 50km, HOWEVER, you find me a sprinter who will ride more than 20 seconds in the wind! They will spend the entire race sucking a wheel where aero counts for little.
RockCoach Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 Yip, the rider causes most of the drag. So finding your most efficient aero position without compromising pedalling would be ideal. The next biggest drag is the spokes in your wheel. So deep section with reduced number of bladed spokes. By comparison the aerodynamic gains in your frame is laughable. I even read an article which showed that having a normal water bottle reduced measured drag on a bike frame.
eddy Posted July 1, 2015 Author Posted July 1, 2015 You should check GCN video on are aero bikes really faster than normal ones They take two boardman bikes, one aero one not And test it by riding identical power on both over certain distances Wheels !!! I'd love to see the difference between the two frames riding identical wheels. Box sections vs. 60mm deep sections will certainly be noticable on a flat time trial. They acknowledge that a frame comes far down the pecking order when it comes to aero efficiency after position, clothing, wheels, helmet etc. It seems Talus has it right...
Red Zone Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 Most of the data is tested on a frame at 40 km/h, which shows a decent reduction in drag using an aero frame. Most recreational roadies will be riding in a bunch and never go off the front at 40 km/h so an aero frame is not going to be much use at all for day to day riding. Rather go for comfort, and rolling resistance. Riding without gloves will give you a greater aero advantage than buying an aero frame.
IceCreamMan Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 I have an aero frame bike currently..... does it make a discernible difference? Nope probably not, I suck wheel at most races unless its my turn in front so its negligible there, when on my own in triathlons I prolly average around 27-30 kms per hour so any difference there is negligible and together with my shaved legs, aero bottles ,sucking in my boep I could save around 2 minutes over 180km's which is then gobbled up by my long lengthy stays in transition..... however, were I potentially an age group winner or race winner the aero frame difference could be the difference between winning an whining so they can make a difference but just not to me.... to me, the difference is aesethetic.... it looks cool and cool factor scores me a good 30 minutes over 180km's , everyone knows that
pista Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 You can save 4 seconds over 40km at 40km/h on a aero bike. No use to me but they do look great.
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