Aluminium Aero Bikes - Do they exist?

[DSK]

That's a seriously sweet looking bike.

I was thinking along the lines of more ordinary road bikes like the Giant Propel but made from Alu.

 

[vickster]

That's a seriously sweet looking bike.

I was thinking along the lines of more ordinary road bikes like the Giant Propel but made from Alu.

Why does it need to be Alu? Carbon can be used whatever the weather. Apparently lighter bikes go faster if that’s your aim (and you’re not planning on putting a rack on or full fixed mudguards)... so why not just stick with the carbon Propel which will always be lighter than disc braked Alu?

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Pointless for you as you ride slowly.

Aero benefits kick in around 9mph

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Plenty of recumbents made out of aluminium, that would beat the shoot out of any of these so called aero road bikes.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

https://www.swissside.com/blogs/news/talks-at-google-the-aerodynamic-revolution-in-cycling

Anyone interested in aero dynamics, this may be of interest. His market is road bikes as that is by far the largest market out there.

 

[DCBassman]

Aero benefits kick in around 9mph

No point in me upgrading from 33lb of steel, then!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

No point in me upgrading from 33lb of steel, then!

How much do you weigh?

 

[DSK]

Why does it need to be Alu? Carbon can be used whatever the weather. Apparently lighter bikes go faster if that’s your aim (and you’re not planning on putting a rack on or full fixed mudguards)... so why not just stick with the carbon Propel?

The Propel is staying no matter what, it seems to be the bike for me. Surprisingly more comfy than I thought and it in my hands cruises a bit quicker.

I was just curious whilst I had the Trek next to the Propel, washing it down, the Trek is a 2010 Alu bike and its surprisingly light too. I know that generally carbon and aero go hand in hand, and I was interested if anything with these tight slim lines etc was ever made in Alu rather than carbon.

 

[DCBassman]

How much do you weigh?

Another 185lb!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Another 185lb!

Body 2.5 might provide a better upgrade.

The presentation I linked to above the guy reckons the average grade of a ride has to be 4.5% before weight trumps aero. You'd be unlikely to find anything hitting that average, in the UK. Unless you cycle up hills just the one way then take the bus back.

 

[DCBassman]

Body 2.5 might provide a better upgrade.

I'd be happy with version 1.5, not gonna live long enough for the next upgrade!
I need to shift 15 of those lbs within the next month, ideally, as major surgery looms, so need to get out there! And stop stuffing my face...

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Doesn’t have rack mounts

And no mudguards

 

[Cuchilo]

Specialized Shiv

Ridley Cheetah

You dont have to keep the TT cockpit on , you could change it for road bars . I think it was team sky that put a TT cockpit on the propel for their TDF Team TT ?