Lightweight Bikes vs Aero Bikes: Getting Past the Hype

The Cycling industry is on a constant merry-go-round about what is more significant, Aero or Lightweight. In this video I look at the numbers behind the marketing claims and explain how aerodynamics plays out in real world riding situations.
#Aero #lightweight #bike #hype

00:00 Introduction

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[mister_ray]

The best gain comes from dropping body weight.

[newoldsteel]

Oh yea being in Florida with my steel bikes now, accelerating over and over has been punishing me 😂 but I still love it!
But my priorities are 1. Fitness, that’s my number one due to overcoming health problems using cycling and 2. Recycling these old bikes and components and planning on keeping them for a lifetime rather than letting them go to a dump!

[bengt_axle]

I think the biggest improvement to aerodynamic efficiency will likely be in being able to get lower position. Put money on improving your flexibility and comfort riding a low position, if you need to ride fast solo, such as in a TT. Lighter wheels do help when climbing, but only in acceleration. Over a 5% grade on a 10km climb, maybe it might be a minute or so for a wheel set that is 400g lighter. In all cases, losing 5kg is the best performance gain! I ride a steel bike like your Bianchi!

[ChillSnaps]

We also have to think about windspeed vs land speed. As you said the gains get bigger as you go faster. I'm simplifying but let's say we are riding 25mph into a 10mph headwind effectively makes it 35mph wind speeds and that makes aero more of a factor.

At the end of the day, finding the right balance for your style of riding is the most important.

Nice to see more cycling content with different perspectives. 🤙🏽

[stephendailey]

Body profile all day long, from 90kg to 75kg, coupled with a decent training plan, you can't go wrong.
Luis, I'm not sure if you mentioned tyre choices, they're some performance gains to be had in tyres.

[timowen]

At last! A discussion which deals with the reality of aero in the group - or the lack of it.  
Luis, you forgot one neat trick for the best free aero gains. If you're small (like me) then get yourself behind a 190cm rider - 20 less watts immediately.
This discussion (weight vs aero) must surely be heavily (haha) influenced by rider size and mass eg for me (166cm, 59kg on a 6.9kg bike) my aero drag would I assume be far lower than aforementioned 1.9m, 80-90kg rider. For them an aero bike would probably make more sense in terms of w/kg, whereas for me, a lightweight bike is the critical factor, nes par?

[mumm-ratheeverliving]

Really liking this channel! Great advice and thoughts for cycling in the real world. My bike is neither lightweight or aero, but one can always dream!

[kris]

Neither camp!
I own a road bike ss, and a 29er ss!
I watch this, because Luis makes very good and educational videos!😊
Greetings from Kris from Croatia 😎

[wiseoldman]

Was able to add 1.5mph with the same power output using a set of comfortable aero bars. Took all the pressure off my arms, hands, and neck. Very relaxing. Solo ride, would not use in a group. Huge comfort increase on long rides. All the aero wheels I tried scared the heck out of me on coastal rides. Wind pushed me into traffic. Went back with standard revolution, double butted spokes on box rims. Tubulars of course.. ultra light.

[briancopeland]

I put my stock in a solid combination of aero and weight. Living in Colorado I see my fair bit of climbs, but also spend a tremendous amount of time on the rolling hills and flats of the plains. My riding is a mix of fast group rides, racing and solo training. No one looking at me would ever mistake me for a climber as I definitely a bigger, more powerful physique.

I also prefer the looks of an aero style bike. They just look better and faster to my eye.

[wdx]

Thanks for this video. I have always thought along similar lines. As a recreational rider, if the bike isn't comfortable, you won't want to ride as much. As far as aero gains: Gaining 5% of 30% is negligible compared to getting a better position on the bike to gain 10% of 70%. Living and riding in Vermont where the hills regularly have 12 percent or steeper grades, weight is way more important to me than aero dynamic gains. That being said, I did just purchase a carbon wheelset that has a more aero profile than my old wheelset. It was more for the lower weight than the aero gains however.

[th]

1. Getting on the bike
2. Having fun
3. Being comfortable


4. Training regime

Seems like aero dynamics has been brown off my list 😅
Need to focus on no. 1, 2 and 3 in my age.

[tenspeedtears]

At 135 lbs and living in East Tn. I gain more from a light weight bike and being able to both ride and make power from a lower position on the bike. On the fast “flat” group rides positioning and dealing out power properly is way more advantageous for me than an aero bike…that’s just my personal experience. Great video with real world perspective!! Thanks!!

[Lotustro]

I prioritize fitness and aerodynamics of body positon. All of the other stuff is marketing that doesnt make "you" stronger. If you are only fast because you spent 10k and can sleep at night with that, then buy all means, buy all means. The cycling industry needs your money.

[pjetrs]

I always chuckle when I go on group rides: a couple of men somewhere around 85 to even 90kg, driving SL7, S5 and you name it..Because 'the bike is lightweight you know..And then they have a slammed stem and high carbon wheels 'because aero', whilst they sit up straight with their elbows locked out because they are not flexible enough to even get low with the upper body.
Meanwhile I spend less by eating less and can chill on my high stem, but can also drop down (almost) like Evenepoel when it's time to get aero. Because I spend time on core and flexibility exercises. Conclusion: there is a lot more to be gained with your body than with your bike and it costs a fraction.

[maritagraefer]

It would be interesting, if there are any drag measures of classic steel frames. Are there any comparisons?

A round profile has the same aerodynamic resistance in every direction, whereas elliptical shapes are only optimal when the wind blows directly from the front. In sidewinds there should be more resistances, besides the greater impact on the ridestability. To my impression Aero is 70-80% marketing driven.

[impaledface]

Body optimization is my focus. Weight loss, more gym/leg training, and time in the saddle. I already have pretty nice bikes with great rolling hubs and stiff/light enough rides. If I was serious about racing, maybe I would care more about aero+lightweight stuff. At my current stage it's a non-issue.
I enjoy climbing and there are tons of hills here so that's what I focus on weight more then aero. Maybe if I can cruise at 25+mph constantly then aero might have more credence

[thomasjackson]

Very nice video and interesting topic... I focus more on shaving off body weight, aero positioning on the bike and increasing power-to-weight (watts/kg). The weight and aerodynamics of the bike help too.

[peterstephan]

Thank you for the terrific video, as always. I have a heavy Giant Defy Advanced 1, and so, that as a given, I work on: 1). Maintaining a good aero body position, reducing drag as much as possible, and with a snug fitting kit. 2). Staying strong (training) and vigilant (good, healthy diet) with an eye on my power to weight. Stay lean. 3). Looking for small, inexpensive ways to reduce the overall bike weight, I just purchased a new saddle that's many grams lighter and far superior to the stock saddle in comfort and design. 4).Tire selection for low rolling resistance with decent puncture protection. Of course, a road/race vs. road/endurance bike (mine) will be hands down faster right from the gun. I just completed this past July, a cycling camp in the French Alps, where we climbed more than 25, 000 feet, over 200 miles in six days. The club provided us with a Canyon Ultimate CF SL 7 Disc, pounds lighter than my Giant and built for speed. Climbing, on the flats and descending were all notably easier and faster. For now, I have my Giant, but a lighter, faster, better handling bike makes a big difference, there's no question.

[digitalspecter]

Comfort is really important.. that's why I ended up riding with a recumbent bike. Well, the riding position happens to be really aerodynamic as well so that's a plus :D But anyway, longer rides are so comfortable now and I get to enjoy the scenery as well.. can't help but smile =)