Getting aero on a budget

[cyberknight]

If you cant afford TT bars atm riding on the tops is pretty aero if you can do it safely

 

[suzeworld]

I am not, personally, chasing any targets other than my own stamina. Losing two stone would certainly improve it all.

My missis, though, is very fit and can sustain quite a low position on her bike. It would be good if she beat the female course record - she already got quite close and she only rode the course twice!

I will share your suggestions with her.

Many thanks to all who have suggested things.
And the laughs, too.

 

[suzeworld]

B doing TT

• suzeworld
• 27 May 2018
• 2

This is her last week. She can get her back down
Someone advised she should round her shoulders more by using the hoods rather than the drops.

 

[cyberknight]

B doing TT

• suzeworld
• 27 May 2018
• 2

This is her last week. She can get her back down
Someone advised she should round her shoulders more by using the hoods rather than the drops.

Its been shown the riding on the hoods with your arms bent is more aero than on the drops
http://road.cc/content/news/133598-want-ride-faster-hunker-down-hoods

 

[suzeworld]

Yes, we are both learning to ride on the hoods with arms more tucked in. I notice some of the experts in our club seem able to hold their heads in a very strange position into their shouders. Think that might take a while to perfect.

 

[suzeworld]

Backo Foil is far better

I don't have any spare, it's all wrapped round me head to keep the aliens out.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Yes, we are both learning to ride on the hoods with arms more tucked in. I notice some of the experts in our club seem able to hold their heads in a very strange position into their shouders. Think that might take a while to perfect.

I just find it easier on the drops. I have tried the aero/hoods/horizontal forearm position and I just can’t hold it for long. Practice I guess. I am learning to get along in my cheap clip ons at the moment.

 

[Tin Pot]

B doing TT

• suzeworld
• 27 May 2018
• 2

This is her last week. She can get her back down
Someone advised she should round her shoulders more by using the hoods rather than the drops.

That hip angle would kill me, and I can’t imagine she’s getting her best power output like that so it looks like she has some fairly easy wins to work on.

Is it okay to spend money on bike fit as it’s not a bike itself?

 

[smutchin]

I think getting narrow is almost as important too. Elbows in etc.

I think that’s the main benefit of clip-on aero bars. Reduces your frontal area quite significantly.

 

[Tin Pot]

Here’s a quick searched image to illustrate - see the gap on the far leg between knee and chest?

Now that’s on a TT bike.

For the best you can get on a roadie, maybe something like this:

A little more upright, but room to apply power and avoid injury.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

B doing TT

• suzeworld
• 27 May 2018
• 2

This is her last week. She can get her back down
Someone advised she should round her shoulders more by using the hoods rather than the drops.

That bike.

 

[suzeworld]

@ Tinpot, I'm not really understanding what you are saying. Do you mean her knees come too close to her chest? How would you alter the bike to affect that?

She doesn't have a power meter!

 

[suzeworld]

That bike.

Aye - she had that second hand over 20 years ago. When she went to Rourke to get a new one built he commented that he's never seen a 2nd hand bike that fitted a customer so well.
Last year she got knocked off a different bike, and decided to use the compo money to have this re-fettled. It is gorgeous!

Fresh off the fettle.

• suzeworld
• 27 May 2018

B's re-fitted Rourke Mk 1 Handsomely done by Twelve50 bikes.

 

[suzeworld]

Have a read here: https://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/technique-aerodynamics-on-a-budget-29471/

View attachment 410942

Basically aero bars and a skin suit are the cheapest and easiest starting points. Then go from there ...

I couldn't see that chart properly on my phone - but it is a great summary. Thank-you very much for posting that ... CLEARLY there is no reason at all to spend any money on a new bike! LOL

 

[smutchin]

@ Tinpot, I'm not really understanding what you are saying. Do you mean her knees come too close to her chest? How would you alter the bike to affect that?

Yes, I think that is what TP is saying. It could be that her saddle is slightly too low but I don’t think it’s possible to make a meaningful and accurate assessment from your pic. Getting a proper bike fit could be a worthwhile investment though and might improve pedalling efficiency.