Improving aerodynamics - resources requested

Steven Martin
Steven Martin Posts: 280
edited November 2007 in Workshop
Hello,

I was chatting to a mate who is thinking about buying a rear disc for time trialling to improve his aerodynamics.
However, I think that I read somewhere that the best improvement that you can make to wheel aerodynamics is to fit a deep section front.
Budget constraints mean that he would only be buying a rear disc and running the front with a Ksyrium.
Does anyone know of a web resource I could point him to that would allow him to see the differences in efficiency between fitting a deep section front vs a rear disc before he decides which to buy?

Thanks

Steven

Comments

  • Bronzie
    Bronzie Posts: 4,927
    http://bikehugger.com/2007/03/aero_wheels.htm
    Backs the "better have an aero front wheel rather than rear disc" argument but gives no figures as to likely time savings

    http://www.insidetri.com/portal/news/ne ... tem=103266
    Gives some figures as to the likely time savings you can achieve with various setups
    It's a Lifestyle! -+-+- Coggan Training Levels
  • wildmoustache
    wildmoustache Posts: 4,010
    what is his budget? I'm assuming if he's going for a disk then it is £500+

    You're right that his best bet is to go aero at the front first and foremost. For that money, if buying new a pair of Zipp flashpoint wheels would be about as good as you could get (and very good)
  • aracer
    aracer Posts: 1,649
    The other question is - does he already have an aero helmet? If not he's far better spending money on that, as it will make more difference than the most aero wheels.

    Beyond that I agree with the others - a front Ksyrium is very non aero. He can make far more difference there than with a disc on the back.
  • Steven Martin
    Steven Martin Posts: 280
    His position is good, skinsuit, aero helmet, and he is looking at dropping nearly £900 on a disc.
    The flashpoint seem good, any opinions on Hed Jet? A 60:90 combination would still be cheaper than a disc, or I saw a place stateside selling Zipp 606 wheelset for c£800.
  • nce21
    nce21 Posts: 16
    try analytic cycling wind on rider - pop in your wheels and away you go
    http://www.analyticcycling.com/DiffEqWindCourse_Page.html
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    You can spend mega dollars on aero equipment and I won't deny that it will help some,
    just try to remember that the rider is, by a very, very, large margin, the biggest aero drag
    item on the bike. Nothing else is even close.

    Dennis Noward
  • Steven Martin
    Steven Martin Posts: 280
    Agreed dennisn, I am sure he would buy a more aero body if it was an option! :wink:

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