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A Primer on Aero Wheels Even though the rider is about 65-75% of the vehicle's aerodynamic equation, the bike is still 25-35%. Or to put it another way, bicycle aerodynamics ~15% of total power use. (~25% of total aerodynamics) Going to an aero spoked front and rear wheel will save 30sec to 1:50 min over a 40km time trial. (THAT IS IF you are already riding 19-20 mph!) … On a flat course, A rear disc will save an addl 20-30 sec. The faster you ride, the more time they will save! Wheel physics and issues: 1. If you are now riding less than 18 mph in a 40 km time trial ( Olympic Tri distance) then the only really good rationale for high tech aero wheels is for your ego ..they sure look sexy! 2. Reduced Drag = real race day time savings for you ONLY if you can stay in your aero bars 98% of the time. 3. Weight savings is more important on hilly courses…. IT is easy to save 600-800+ gm or 20-28+ OZ by going with the lightest spoked aero tubular wheels. (Total of the wheel plus tire/tube wt savings) 4. Tubular tires are really no harder to deal with than clinchers, and maybe easier! ( Once you learn how to deal with them! ) They are easily lighter than clincher/tube combos by 30+gms. Our experience is less flats and a smoother ride than with clinchers, although not all agree. After practice, you can change a tubular and re-inflate it with CO2 in about a minute. Try that with your clincher wheels! 5. Mount your race wheels and ride on them a week or so before you race. 6. ALWAYS carry extra spokes with you to races that are important to you, even if you do not have fancy wheels. Remember that many wheel sets require 3 different length spokes! The right sized spoke is almost never available at a race site or in an exotic race destination! 7. Beware wide spoked front wheels and rear disc wheels in very windy conditions. Above side wind speeds of 15 mph or so, bike control can become a real issue. 8. Most wheel manufacturers lie about the weights 9. Nimble Flys and Corimas are the cheapest (and that is a relative term at ~$900 new. A 303front/404rear pair from Zipp is $1500-1600) A 650 set of Nimble Fly wheels for a light rider are perhaps the lightest production wheels on the planet! 10. All carbon tubular aero wheel prices have in many cases risen to levels of $1500-$3000 in the last two years. 11. Be very careful about buying used carbon racing wheels, they have a definite lifespan, and wear out rather sooner than you might wish. References to check out:
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