Aero/Gains Thread

Bear · 29 Jun 2016 at 17:09

touch said:
I dont believe that. If the only variable is frontal area then there would be no such thing as "aerodynamics", it would simply be the smaller you are the faster you go for a given power.

It doesnt take drag coefficient into account?

It's a first order approximation, there's things like rolling resistance, air pressure, mechanical friction, wind speed, rider weight, road gradient etc not included. But yes the smaller you can make yourself the faster you are for a given power.

Frontal area is the main component to work out your CdA

Aerodynamic drag is air resistance atttributed to an object. It is a product of an objects drag coefficient (Cd) or "slipperyness" and it's size, criticaly it's frontal area (A). Hence the scientific measurent of aerodynamic drag and the input required by a cycing power model is Cd x A written as CdA.

SoliD · 29 Jun 2016 at 19:46

xdcx said:
Very possible float night 998hpa and the warm sun is shining!
Club 10 has a hill in it.
And I have a Bambino now, I just Fairy Liquid my visor to death.
Sub 20 tonight boys.

Gwan!

Shamrock · 29 Jun 2016 at 20:14

I may have found an (expensive) solution to reduce my stack height by 25mm.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/profile-design-v4-aluminium-aerobar/

These are essentially the same bars as I currently have but the extensions are mounted below the base bar.

£100 for 2.5cm though!

xdcx · 29 Jun 2016 at 22:27

SoliD said:
Gwan!

40 watts down....
Pouring rain. Slow course and I have never seen so many midges in my life, we were literally black with midges on, disgusting.
So I came 3rd with a 22:54 which is a 6 second PB.

All that changed was tiny tweaks to position and wearing a Kask Bambino. Explain that. Genuinely think my Garmin Vectors were completely under-reading tonight by a long way. Weird.

One More Solo · 30 Jun 2016 at 11:31

Disappointing last night, felt very very slow but that may be because the wind was more crosswind than anything else (plus it was far from warm). I was hoping to dip under 22 again but took a 22:16. Hard to derive too much info from one ride but I went quicker relative to other people, so hopefully recent changes are working...

SoliD · 30 Jun 2016 at 11:57

xdcx said:
40 watts down....
Pouring rain. Slow course and I have never seen so many midges in my life, we were literally black with midges on, disgusting.
So I came 3rd with a 22:54 which is a 6 second PB.

All that changed was tiny tweaks to position and wearing a Kask Bambino. Explain that. Genuinely think my Garmin Vectors were completely under-reading tonight by a long way. Weird.

One More Solo said:
Disappointing last night, felt very very slow but that may be because the wind was more crosswind than anything else (plus it was far from warm). I was hoping to dip under 22 again but took a 22:16. Hard to derive too much info from one ride but I went quicker relative to other people, so hopefully recent changes are working...

Gutting on both accounts, sort of. Although PB for you xdcx and going quicker compared to rivals is always good to see for your own mind I find.

Was really windy down here yesterday, but raining, so didn't ride, but hoping it calms down for my 50 at the weekend. Reckon I can put out the same power I did on Monday for 50 or there abouts as I had too much left in the tank at the end of that ride.

Due to be testing aero at our local velodrome a week Monday providing the weather is ok. Need to find some new bars as I'm at full extension on them, but need them further out in front. I could potentially put them under my bars, but don't want to do that just yet due to hip angles. I believe these are 31.8mm 48 - 54cm = 390mm, but trying to find longer that won't break the bank is proving difficult.

Shamrock · 11 Jul 2016 at 11:26

I've been trying to tweak my position a bit more, also replaced the Bambino.

Picture from yesterday's TT (unfortunately not as side-on as the previous one)

I actually performed worse in the TT yesterday but I'm blaming fatigue a bit on that.

My power was down 23W and I was 13s slower. I would've thought 23W would translate to more time lost so potentially some aeroz was gained?

Thomas. PLease. · 11 Jul 2016 at 16:49

Arms look very stretched there. Elbows should be much closer to 90 degrees which may allow you to go narrower as well. Narrower is a lot better than lower.

Helmet looks like a good fit though.

touch · 11 Jul 2016 at 17:01

Thomas. PLease. said:
Arms look very stretched there.

I'm the worst TTer ever and have no idea what I'm talking about, but I'd agree with this.
It looks like you could angle your extensions up a bit which would pivot your elbows lower and get your shoulders lower without the need to change your bars.
You seem to be reaching down to the bars rather than actually supporting your weight on them.

Shamrock · 11 Jul 2016 at 18:17

I think the angle of the photo exaggerates slightly but having just tried it out on the turbo I would agree I'm reaching for the bends/shifters. This is more apparent now I've moved the saddle back.

I was checking out the setup of Maryka from Paceline RT as she is short and has a tiny bike and noticed she had a -60 degree stem! She was also over 2mins quicker than me haha.

Thomas. PLease. · 11 Jul 2016 at 20:33

Yeah she's one of the best amateur females in the country so don't feel too bad about her being a lot quicker!

One More Solo · 14 Jul 2016 at 12:55

Another visit to the super fast (allegedly) V718 last night. PB'd by 5 seconds with a 20:50 but conditions were far from favourable. Hoping to hit it one more time this year and it better be with an easterly wind.

SoliD · 14 Jul 2016 at 14:30

25 Mile PB again last night. 54:45, few minor tweaks since last 25, but power was down, so quicker night, but would say slightly slower course. I was quite annoyed with myself as I went out too hard and couldn't get going as much as I wanted to in the middle 5-8 miles. Hopefully another course PB this coming Sunday. Going to drop my bars a bit lower next week as feel I'm a little too upright

BennyC · 18 Jul 2016 at 12:43

If you are offered an Ex-Demo FFWD solid rear wheel at half the RRP by a LBS...BUT...have yet to actually get in to TT's though are planning to...do you:

a) throw your money at them

or

b) hold fire as there will always be other oppurtunities

or

c) walk out with a new bike because N+1

xdcx · 19 Jul 2016 at 09:03

BennyC said:
If you are offered an Ex-Demo FFWD solid rear wheel at half the RRP by a LBS...BUT...have yet to actually get in to TT's though are planning to...do you:

a) throw your money at them

or

b) hold fire as there will always be other oppurtunities

or

c) walk out with a new bike because N+1

B.
Clincher = ewwww.
FFWD discs and the like constantly coming up for sale in tip top condition on TT forum for that sort of price or lower and in full tub form :cool:

Plenty opportunities in future, what you are being presented isn't as super glorious as it appears!

BennyC · 19 Jul 2016 at 09:48

xdcx said:
B.
Clincher = ewwww.
FFWD discs and the like constantly coming up for sale in tip top condition on TT forum for that sort of price or lower and in full tub form Plenty opportunities in future, what you are being presented isn't as super glorious as it appears!

I came to my senses

I also read that if you already have deep section wheels the saving from a full disc isn't as significant? not to say it's not warranted. And also that sound :cool:

Figured that cash is better spent carrying out the conversion and eventually on things like a specific helmet, speed/skinsuit and fit.

I discovered that the seat post on my Propel (Giant Vector) has the capability for the clamp to be reversed and adjust the seat tube angle by 5 degrees (73 - 78) so my plan for a conversion for the time being shouldn't need any extra bits in this regard

Just some clip-ons and a base bar + shifters + levers and eventually a saddle.

I used the BikeFitFast App the other week to observe my positioning. I've not had a proper fit but have optimised my current positioning to the best of my ability. Quick screen-shot to show the sort of position I ride in & hold on the drops quite comfortably for long periods currently. I do find on the turbo it doesn't quite feel the same as out on the road though...

(I can flatten that back out but was being a bit lazy

)

https://youtu.be/9gYZhrGM5kg?t=1m44s

My flexibility & mobility is still quite good from my lifting days so with the conversion, seat post adjustment and perhaps a new stem/flip if needed I don't think my positioning will be half bad.

Would welcome any thoughts

Shamrock · 19 Jul 2016 at 11:50

I wouldn't buy FFWD cos they are cack

p) but there's nothing wrong with clinchers!

SoliD · 27 Jul 2016 at 22:16

Pads in by about 2cm total for tonights TT, managed to PB with a 21:08, 32 seconds quicker than my previous 10, power few W down on the previous PB. Course is difficult to call whether it is quicker or slower, Contemplating dropping them down as had no difficulty with the position.

Potentially sold my disc wheel at the end of the season, so new wheels will be incoming for next season.

Berger · 28 Jul 2016 at 11:47

So my riding mates have all chipped in and bought me a used P3C old school frame aparantly, nice and cheap, 61cm frame! I border on 58/61 but they seem to think long arms & body so bigger frame to help stretch out more!

I'll be fixing it up with Rival or Force 22 I think, then I can get in here and ask lots of silly questions

SoliD · 28 Jul 2016 at 13:00

SoliD said:
Pads in by about 2cm total for tonights TT, managed to PB with a 21:08, 32 seconds quicker than my previous 10, power few W down on the previous PB. Course is difficult to call whether it is quicker or slower, Contemplating dropping them down as had no difficulty with the position.

Potentially sold my disc wheel at the end of the season, so new wheels will be incoming for next season.

Quoting myself, but just checked my previous results and that time last night was 1 minute 5 seconds quicker than my previous best on the course in early June. Since then I've got my skinsuit, trip socks and lowered and narrowed my position. Only change between that and the Previous PB on a slightly different course was making my pads narrower.