# Perks of the Puller **URL:** \ **Category:** Racing\ **Created:** [October 26, 2018, 7:19pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/perks-of-the-puller/4620 "2018-10-26T19:19:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RocketChild](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/rocketchild/32/1323_2.png) [@RocketChild](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/RocketChild)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2018, 7:19pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/perks-of-the-puller/4620/1 "2018-10-26T19:19:58Z")
The term **pull** is used often with the person in front but I’ve often wondered if it is really a euphemism for train engine doing all the work, but they really have no more weight on them than if they were riding solo breaking air. From my understanding of race cars, when cars are lined up, there is a small multiplier effect on the front car that gives them tiny percentages of power since their drag is reduced down the chain. Does this sound right? Will the lead rider actually go faster while ‘pulling’ if they have another rider drafting behind them? It is often touted that the subsequent riders save +30% energy and that is not what I’m after. What are the affects to the leader while they’re in front? ---
**Author:** ![matthew.weigel](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/matthew.weigel/32/176_2.png) [@matthew.weigel](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/matthew.weigel)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2018, 7:30pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/perks-of-the-puller/4620/2 "2018-10-26T19:30:33Z")
If you watch the Specialized Win Tunnel videos, they addressed this a bit (around 1:40 in): [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/original/3X/8/0/80a1c361b9ab03e90a768e06a8fde16f5145642f.jpeg "The Win Tunnel: The Effects of Drafting") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PevpVXelq8A) They found that the puller saw a benefit of about 4% from having someone behind them. ---
**Author:** ![Psychopasta](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/psychopasta/32/18809_2.png) [@Psychopasta](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Psychopasta)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2018, 4:49am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/perks-of-the-puller/4620/3 "2018-10-27T04:49:27Z")
They can’t both get a benefit surely? It must be easier for one and harder for the other, otherwise you’d have a perpetual motion machine. ---
**Author:** ![konradkowara](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/konradkowara/32/93929_2.png) [@konradkowara](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/konradkowara)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2018, 5:21am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/perks-of-the-puller/4620/4 "2018-10-27T05:21:16Z")
> **[Aerodynamic drag in cycling pelotons: New insights by CFD simulation and wind...](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167610518303751)** > > A cycling peloton is the main group of cyclists riding closely together to reduce aerodynamic drag and energy expenditure. Previous studies on small g… That’s a great article based on some thorough testing, must read. The effect that causes the leading rider to have less aero drag is called “subsonic upstream disturbance”. Leading rider in front of a 121 person peloton enjoys a drag reduction of 16% compared to an isolated rider. ---
**Author:** ![BennyC](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/bennyc/32/7746_2.png) [@BennyC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/BennyC)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2018, 6:06am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/perks-of-the-puller/4620/5 "2018-10-27T06:06:44Z")
Pretty sure I saw similar discussion on Eurosport during one of the GT’s last year that the filming moto being too close behind a solo group or breakaway rider actually benefits them slightly.