Aerodynamics, the rider and bicycle

[marc2131]

Came across this several weeks ago and have vacillated as to where I’d place this posting. At first thought it might be appropriate in the ‘Conversation’ or ‘Road’ section but realised this table from 1987 doesn’t really apply today, so decided to place it in the ‘Vintage’ section of the forum. I am sure Toff will be more than familiar with the equipment cited in the table.

The info was compiled by Chester R. Kyle and Fred Zahradnik. Titled the ‘Aerodynamic Overhaul. Streamline Your Body and Your Bike’, it was published in ‘Bicycling’ (journal) in June 1987 (pages 72 – 79). I sourced this from Sheldon Brown’s website at http://sheldonbrown.com/rinard/aero/aerodynamics.htm

The basic assumption from this table is based on the idea of a proportional reduction of aero drag relative to a conventional racing bicycle and a rider in the 1980s.

An ordinary rider would have used clothing (racing shorts, jersey, cotton socks, gloves with knit backs) and without a helmet; the time gained is relative to a 40 km time trial at approximately 37 km/h - elapsed time 1 h 5 min. At higher speeds the time gained becomes smaller because of the shorter riding time.


Remove water bottle and cage - 2.8% improvement, less 26sec
Tape over shoe laces -0.8% improvement, less 7sec
Pump under top tube/not downtube - 0.8% imp, less 7sec
Shave the legs - 0.6% imp, less 5sec
Remove the small chain ring - 0.3% imp, less 3sec
Fill the front tire gap at the rim - 0.2% imp, less 2sec
Benotto Aero bottle with cage -1.6% imp, less 15sec
Smooth nylon socks = 0.4% imp, less 4sec
Pearl lzumi lycra shoe covers - 1.4% imp, less 13sec
80s Aero helmet.- 5.2 imp, less 47sec
Aero front wheel: Araya aero rim,
28 Hoshi bladed spokes,
Dura Ace hub, Avocet 190 g tire - 4.8 imp, less 44sec
1-piece suit, short sleeves and legs - 3.2 imp, less 29sec
Gloves with Lycra backs - 0.2 imp, less 2sec
Disk wheel in front- 7.2 imp, less 66sec
Clipless pedals - 1.0 imp, less 9sec
Disk wheel in back - 3.6 imp, less 33sec
Cinelli aero bar - 0.2 imp, less 2sec
Edco Competition Aero crank set - 0.6 imp, less 5sec
Shimano Sante aero Schaltung - 0.4 imp, less 4sec

[weiyun]

30% energy saving riding behind another rider... Drafting is my #1 choice.