We have already analysed which material is more likely to be successful many times in wind tunnel tests and calculated using simulations, and the result is clear: aerodynamic wheels are the faster choice in the vast majority of situations. In sprints, on the run, on undulating terrain and downhill anyway. Air resistance is the racing cyclist's main opponent, which is why slipstreaming is of paramount importance in competition. Weight becomes more important uphill - once you reach a certain gradient. Because the pros reach aerodynamically relevant speeds even on climbs, aerodynamic drag also counts, at least a little. Only from a gradient of nine per cent upwards do aerodynamic details of the bike no longer play a role for racing cyclists.
Tour de France: Which road bike is right for which use?
However, there are many different situations in a race and it depends on the rider's role which bike is better for which mission. A helper whose job it is to set the pace in the first part of a mountain stage may deliberately choose an aerodynamic bike, while the captain may opt for a lightweight bike because he expects a late decision on the mountain. If everything goes according to plan, these considerations are correct. However, if the race takes a different course, for example if the captain is isolated early on and has to ride at speed downhill or in the valley, the lighter but aerodynamically inferior bike can also prove to be a disadvantage.
Aerodynamics before weight
Due to the unpredictability of the race, Specialized propagates the one-wheel strategy: the Tarmac SL 8 reaches the weight limit and only loses seven watts compared to the fastest aero bikes. That's a very good compromise for the classics riders; the specialists are only faster in extreme situations where aerodynamics are important. In addition to the technology, there is also the economic component: lean logistics and lower costs are also relevant for most teams. The dsm-firmenich PostNL team, for example, only uses the Foil aero model from Scott. The lighter Addict, which the team would also have access to, stays at home.
How relevant are the technical details for the sporting outcome? Not very; but the bike can tip the scales - especially for the stage win rather than the overall classification. In a photo finish sprint, it's all about hundredths of a second; the bike can be the deciding factor. The biggest differences arise in longer escapes: On an 80-kilometre solo, the aero advantage can add up to several minutes.
The importance of weight tends to be overestimated: 500 grams more means a gap of around one second (or six metres) per kilometre on climbs of nine percent when the captains are riding at full throttle. As attacks are usually late and many climbs only have short steep sections, the mathematical advantage of the light bike is much smaller than it feels.
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Jens Klötzer
Editor
