Do aero wheels really make a difference?
Do aero wheels really make a difference?
Using aero wheels has been found to reduce a cyclist’s CdA by 3-5%, so if you generate 350W of power, using aero wheels could see your speed on the flat rise from 44.6kmh to 45.4kmh, an increase of 1.63%. At 4%, aero wheels up to 940g heavier will still be the faster option.
Should I upgrade to Aero wheels?
Wheels contribute a great deal to a bike’s overall aerodynamics. Upgrading to more aerodynamic wheels will help you save precious energy and ride faster. Generally, this consideration is only important for road or time trial riders.
Why are deeper wheels more aero?
On an elementary level, the deeper your rim’s profile is the more aerodynamic it will be. To create a deep section wheel requires a bit more carbon-fibre material. This will increase its weight, but research has proven that over most racing and training distances, the reduction in drag offsets any increase in mass.
Are deeper wheels stronger?
The reason a deep section wheel is helpful is that the deeper cross section is much stiffer, i.e. harder to deflect, than a rim with a shallow depth. The strongest, most durable wheels have deep section rims, lots of spokes (think 32 and up) along with a well designed hub.
Which is better aero wheelset or lightweight wheelset?
But if you’re like Quintana and around 60kg, with the same frame and wheel weight, your wheelset makes up 1.61% of the total, which may only be 0.5% more overall, but represents a near-50% jump in its proportion compared to the larger rider’s wheels. So shallow rims for lighter riders and aero for heavier?
Is there such a thing as deep aero wheels?
Yes, deep aero wheels are certainly for those riders. They will be on a 60-65mm deep front wheel and an 80mm deep or completely covered disc wheel in the rear. But aero bike wheels, those in the 55mm to 65mm range are also road racing bike wheels and regular riding wheels for fast roadies riding on flat and rolling terrain. Some can also climb.
How big are the wheels on an aero bike?
Current trends for aero road bikes are borrowed from the triathlon setup of having a larger depth wheel on the rear and a shallower wheel on the front. You’ll find a lot of 40mm+ front wheels and 60mm+ rear wheels, although many manufacturers are also providing 60mm+ wheels for both front and back.
Which is the best aero disc bike wheels?
I also recommend the Bontrager Aeolus XXX 6, available here, as the best set of dedicated aero bike wheels for disc brake bikes, and the ENVE 65, available here and here, as the best value aero disc wheelset. Aero bike wheels look fast, ride fast, and race fast.