AN AERODYNAMIC MASTERCLASS: YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

[@huggcycles1545]

Overweight (18st+) heavy rider, currently unfitter than I was last year and a stone heavier, but I brought 50mm deep wheels, aero bars and reduced 300g off the bike. Now riding 1+mph faster on average!

[@ChrisHallRides]

Boom! Thats awesome!

[@AnvilAirsoftTV]

Thanks Chris and Xavier. Some great information and discussion.

[@ChrisHallRides]

Our pleasure!

[@englishcyclist]

Great video Chris, however ... try riding in the flats of Lincolnshire with headwind coming from every angle and trying to be aero is like wading through treacle.

[@global_nomad.]

great video/interview, thanks Chris and Xav.....

[@ChrisHallRides]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@grahambell9831]

I think a neck length beard is the way to go Chris ! 😅 Great content today guys! Chapeau! 👏

[@ChrisHallRides]

Noted! hahaha

[@grahambell9831]

@@ChrisHallRides have a great bank holiday weekend Chris! 👍

[@jonpoon3896]

For an endurance TT (12/24 hr), road bike setup for TT vs TT bike setup for endurance

[@ChrisHallRides]

TT bike will always be faster in my opinion. Just put a wider tyre on the rear

[@janwillemkuilenburg7561]

On my caad12 I closed the lower triangle in my frame on top of the bottom bracket with a container I made from carbon sheet. I took care of smooth transitions with the down tube and seat tube, which was not easy. It is faster however (together with my 86 mm deep rear wheel), and my guess is that airflow around the crank area usually is more disturbed than you would think. I was wondering if Aero Coach has tested this effect.

[@ChrisHallRides]

Definitely worth checking out their website as there’s a huge amount of information on there

[@pantster9855]

Some really interesting answers I know it’s his livelihood but frustrates me that very few people point out “24kph” etc is AIRSPEED. “Aero is for everyone” is untrue if you regularly ride in the bunch where you experience much slower relative airspeed. Controversial point - pros who ride in the peloton all day see ZERO benefit from an aero bike, it’s marketing to sell you bikes

[@ChrisHallRides]

But also pros don't ride in the bunch every day. Some will go on the attack, some will get in a breakaway. In that situation it's about equipping them for the what ifs as well.

[@pantster9855]

@@ChrisHallRides yet you notice someone like Jonas is one of the few who changes bike based on parcours/tactic for the day. Yes SOME may go in the break but even when they do they are rotating through and off. We all know that there are increasing savings for longer lines up to about 60% aero drag savings but people don’t then like to link that to bikes. Modern bikes all quote figures for around 45kph, well if you’re seeing 60% savings then you’re seeing NONE of those gains (aero drag is a function of speed squared). Most would benefit from a light, aeroish bike In the scenarios you describe the only pros who benefit from the aero bike are those doing the pulling all day, those planning solo breakaways or sprints, or those who end up in small breakaway groups. But manufacturers are pushing expensive aero bikes so that’s what people want. And arguably for amateurs who ride alone more often there’s more benefit (if you can get and maintain the speed window they quote for the savings)

[@mikeyw7891]

The vast majority of riders regularly ride in solo or in small groups of 2-3 people. For these aerodynamic obviously isn’t a gimmick. You would list these as recreational cyclists rather than pros. Also, if your in a riding group of 5-10, having a nod to aerodynamics will help maintain or push the groups speed while your on the front doing your bit. If your spending 99% of the time in the group your not being a good riding buddy 😬. I understand your argument, but it’s fundamentally flawed. Plus if your want to try a road bike tt (I’d recommend it) you will be quicker straight off the bat. Generally recreational cyclists benefit the most from aero (as they said). An no, I’m not a cycling industry marketing shill trying to sell you a new bike 😉. Ultimately the most important aspect of a bike is your enjoy riding it.

[@pantster9855]

@@mikeyw7891 absolutely agree with your last sentiment and also that recreational cyclists can/should benefit more than pros IF THEY CAN RIDE AT THE SPEEDS THE BENEFITS OCCUR But “flawed argument”? Have younoticed how the aero gains for these frames are quoted at speeds of 45kph or more recently even 50kph? Now show me recreational cyclists who can find solo at those speeds. Again, a reminder than form/pressure or “aerodynamic” drag is a function of speed squared, so halve that speed to 22-25kph and the aero benefit is 1/4, so MAYBE low single digit watts benefit. Therefore AGAIN the aero benefits are often non existent for those who should benefit the most (recreational cyclists) because they can’t ride fast enough and non existent for those capable of riding at those speeds but ride in a peloton so also don’t see the benefit (pros) Your example of road bike TT’s (new in the U.K. which has a big TT scene and basically unheard of elsewhere) is a good example where the aero bike WOULD be of benefit (but ironically the fastest road bike tt’ers have been using TT bike frames with road bike handlebars) If you like riding aero bikes, or even just like the look go for it, I have aero bikes for those reasons but don’t fall for the marketing that it makes you faster. Peak Torque has even pointed out that most of the aero gains for the new SL8 has come from the new handlebars, don’t buy the bike buy the bars and put it on your SL7

[@CamsJungleAquaria]

@@pantster9855found the aerodynamicist in the KZbin comment section

[@Altimis]

What... Mustache costs you 30 watts!?

[@ChrisHallRides]

Gives you 30 watts

[@Altimis]

@@ChrisHallRides oops! thanks for correct me.

[@stfu6397]

4:29 this is what it sounds like when you're a sellout

[@ChrisHallRides]

You sold out