How to Improve Aerodynamics Cycling

By tejvan on June 13, 2011 in equipment, products, timetrials

Alex Dowsett in 25 mile Time Trial

These are a few simple ways to increase the aerodynamics of your riding position. They are primarily intended for time trials, although, some may also be appropriate for road racing as well. Improving aerodynamics can make huge improvements to your times, as I found out after visiting wind tunnel.

Oversocks - Oversocks are a lycra fitting for your shoes. These help improve airflow by creating a smoother covering of the shoe. Try the Smart oversock from drag2zero, expensive at £60 but one of the best. Also Pro oversock is pretty good.

Single Chainring – For many time trial courses, it is not necessary to have a double chainring at the front. If you are averaging 25mph, you will not need the inner ring, unless the course is very steep in places. A single ring enables you to remove the front mech changer as well. However, if you do this be wary you don’t enable your chain to slip off.

Dropping your handlebars just a few cm. Dropping your handlebars a few cm, will make the biggest difference to improving aerodynamics because your frontal position incurs the biggest aerodynamic drag. However, be aware that dropping your position will eventually compromise your power output, through making breathing more difficult. This requires experimentation. The best is to use a power meter and controlled testing to see different speeds from different position.

Taping up holes. The secret to aerodynamics is taping up any holes and making a smooth airflow stream. For example, if you have a disc wheel you can place some tape over the gap for blowing up the tyre.

Bradley Wiggins in British Time Trial Championship 2010. A very aero position. UCI legal

Aerodynamic Helmet. Aerodynamic safety helmet can make a big difference through making the airflow easier to pass over the cyclist. Aero Cycle Helmets
Helmet Position. A simple tip is to make sure you position your aero helmet so tail is closer to your back. If it is sticking up in air, you will catch more aerodynamic drag. Push the helmet up your forehead so the tail gets closer to your back. This is a really easy way to improve aerodynamics and has a big impact.
Helmet Visor. Fitting a visor on a helmet improves aerodynamics. It is also good to keep sun and flies out of your eyes. You might need to get two – one for sunny days one for overcast days.

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Aero Bottle. For £15, you can get a Bontrager or Specialised Aero Bottle. People have claimed it saves 4 watts in a 10 mile time trial. Definitely reduces frontal drag and so makes sense. Probably the cheapest way to improve aerodynamics. Specialised Aero bottle at Evans. Best aero bottles
Aero Gloves. Your hands are one of the first things that ‘hits the wind’ so to speak. Aero gloves can smooth this airflow at the front of your riding position. Try the Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Aero Glove. It removes the velcro strap and reduces another barrier to the wind. I like this Mavic aero gloves because they are also quite stylish.
Disc Wheel. This will improve aerodynamic drag, but is expensive. You can easily be spending £700 for a Fast Forward disc wheel. For a top of the range Zipp disc it can be up to £1,500. However, for most time trials don’t worry about weight, it is the aero disc that will really help. Disc Wheel for time trials
Hand position. Keep hands close together on the bars. Minimise wind space in between

aero
A nice aero position. In particular, this position bring the arms close together, almost in parallel with the knees.

Lifting up Aero bars. Often lifting up the aero bars, into a praying mantis position makes you more aerodynamics. When I went into the wind tunnel, I found significant gains from this praying mantis position. It is not UCI legal. For British Time trial championship, I have to lower tri bars to be horizontal. But for CTT events, I do lift up aerobars. However, it is not necessarily more aerodynamic it can depend on your body type. But, it is worth experimenting.
Riding Style. For time trials, try keep the body stable. Where possible stay in the saddle, and avoid wiggling your upper body around. In training work on keeping this steady position. You will get more power from it and it will be more aerodynamic