Assume two riders of equal stature are riding at 25 mph in identical clothing and gear. Theoretically speaking (since watt gains don’t stack perfectly), how much faster (in watts) would someone on a top of the line aero bike with deep aero rims and high-end tubeless tires be versus a cheap alloy bi…

I don’t know the answer to your question, but thought you might find the following Youtube videos interesting as they are related to part of your question at least; aero vs standard. Obviously this isn’t a scientific test, however I think it’s been shown elsewhere that the biggest and cheapest gains…

A range of info to compile: Aero Gains - What to spend your money on - #8 by BennyC Biggest Bang For Your Buck In Time Trial Equipment - CyclingTips 6 Aero Gear Tips to Help You Find All the Watts | Bicycling Buying Time: Which Aero Equipment Offers the Most Benefits? | ACTIVE

I’m going to say 50-60 watts - more at a higher speed. The tires alone can be 20-30 watts depending on what truck tires you run on the cheap bike.

I figured it might be something like this… that’s like a zone and a half…

I thought the whole ‘straight arms’ thing had been shown to be incorrect a few years ago? Can’t find my reference point(s) but, I was sure that a parallel lower arm was proven to be more efficient.

[image] PusherMan: I thought the whole ‘straight arms’ thing had been shown to be incorrect a few years ago? Can’t find my reference point(s) but, I was sure that a parallel lower arm was proven to be more efficient. You mean forearms parallel to the ground with bent elbows? Yes, that’s more…

[image] Brennus: [image] [image] Aside from body position, it seems from this that the best return for investment is a skin suit? That’s a real game changer for not a huge amount of ££ (or $$) Good info :+1:

I think tires are one of the cheapest upgrades you can make - they are a consumable, so when they wear out, replace them with something better. That way you aren’t having to throw out a perfectly serviceable (if un-aero) piece of kit. I replaced the cheap stock tires on my bike with Conti GP 4000s, …

How many watts of a disadvantage?

Equipment

mcneese.chad January 10, 2020, 11:22pm 3

A range of info to compile:

Aero Gains - What to spend your money on - #8 by BennyC
Biggest Bang For Your Buck In Time Trial Equipment - CyclingTips
6 Aero Gear Tips to Help You Find All the Watts | Bicycling
Buying Time: Which Aero Equipment Offers the Most Benefits? | ACTIVE

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How many watts of a disadvantage?

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