Aero road bikes

[taiwan]

Cervelo Soloist series, Felt AR, Ridley Noah, these frames LOOK more aerodynamic than many current road frames. If the UCI weight limit can be achieved increasingly easily, isn't there much more opportunity to make more frames more aero?

 

[anubisza]

The weight limit is the least of designers problems, whenever there are any innovative designs, the UCI soon bans them.

 

[David Suro]

Vertical and lateral compliance of a frame is much more important that aerodynamics.

Studies have shown that there is about a 25% savings in power output for a cyclist drafting behind one other rider at 40 kph.

Studies have also shown that the aerodynamic differences of various wheels has much more of a factor on overall drag than differences in frame.

 

[taiwan]

I suppose body position is more important that tubing shapes as well, but you'd think there was some minor advantage to be gained over the broad, round or squarish section tubes you see on a Pinarello or a Giant or a Scott road bike. They look like they would present more to the wind than even a steel frame, although I understand that the frame isn't th most crucial component aerodynamically.

 

[taiwan]

This new Litespeed looks like it may just have seen the inside of a wind tunnel.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gallery/ar...-litespeed-does-carbon-again&mlc=news/article

Looks like a Cervelo P2.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

isn't there much more opportunity to make more frames more aero?

No need. During a race, most of the day is spent riding in a pack out of the wind.

 

[Black Dog]

Areo is fine as long as ride quality does not suffer. I would love to save 0.5 seconds over 100km as long as each millimetre provides me with a harsh ride that crushes my spine and my will to live. Aero road bikes is all about marketing and not engineering.

 

[Nevermind]

No need. During a race, most of the day is spent riding in a pack out of the wind.

So very true, unless you are a breakaway artist like Voeckler.

I must say that frames like the Felt AR look sweet though, and that Litespeed as well.

 

[justme]

This new Litespeed looks like it may just have seen the inside of a wind tunnel.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gallery/ar...-litespeed-does-carbon-again&mlc=news/article

Looks like a Cervelo P2.

I would guess that with Litespeeds budget it only looks that way. It is far more likely that they just copied what they saw others doing.