Unbelievable watt savings

[bigbill]

I felt like I was too fast and swapped out my 44s for 46s.

[Louis]

Originally Posted by bigbill

I felt like I was too fast and swapped out my 44s for 46s.

Next time, just get one of these:

[JWB475]

Ben Delaney had a recent YouTube episode where he was in the wind tunnel with Silca. He switched from 46cm to 42cm bars, and it was around 16 watts saved at 20 mph. Switching from shallow to deeper wheels was an 8 watt savings.

Full video is here, the results start at the 15 minute mark:

https://youtu.be/AU9V-RCRmsY?si=QT6NPrriaUYfQO0T

[CBaron]

Originally Posted by EB

Clearly the answer is to dispense with the handlebars and just hold onto the stem.

Well played, well played...

My most recent (used) bike purchase came with 42 and that felt narrow. I guess I need to get with the program but 36 just seems crazy narrow for me personally

Cheers,
CJB

[ridethecliche]

I usually ride with 38-40mm cm bars.. Guess I'm just slow though since I don't notice a difference ������

[vespasianus]

News flash. Aero bars work.

[Black Dog]

Originally Posted by vespasianus

News flash. Aero bars work.

True. If we all turn our road bikes into TT bikes one component at a time they will get faster.

[Jeffie]

I'm building up a 13lb Trek Emonda (rim brake) for a long climbing ride we do here in June. I just put on some custom chopped 28cm (c-c) at hood Enve's.

Should have it built in the next week or so. They don't feel as bad as I thought they would.

[ridethecliche]

Originally Posted by prototoast

I think pretty obviously narrow handlebars significantly reduce wind resistance. I don't even think it's that big a deal for breathing, I routinely hold the tops of my bars near the center while climbing. The issue is cornering and high speed control. That's where lighter bars can really help, and so I think it's more a question of comfort and control than doubting the actual wind resistance data.

That's where having shallower drop and having some flare realllyyy helps. I don't think it negates most of the aero benefit either since you're riding on the hoods most of the time.

Originally Posted by Jeffie

I'm building up a 13lb Trek Emonda (rim brake) for a long climbing ride we do here in June. I just put on some custom chopped 28cm (c-c) at hood Enve's.

Should have it built in the next week or so. They don't feel as bad as I thought they would.

uhhhh... pics?

[Nomadmax]

What's next? Water is wet?

Somebody spent time and money to deternine that body position, narrower and lower, is more efficient. Something almost every cyclist who's ridden into a headwind already knows.

[Mikej]

Originally Posted by Nomadmax

What's next? Water is wet?

Somebody spent time and money to deternine that body position, narrower and lower, is more efficient. Something almost every cyclist who's ridden into a headwind already knows.

It puts an actual number on the savings, not just a random this is better, trust me. And it’s a pretty significant number at that.

[Gummee]

Originally Posted by HenryA

I don't doubt the results, but, I think the problem comes when the rider can't breathe efficiently.

Every time I see the pros running these really narrow bars, they're chicken winging badly.

You can't tell me that it's faster when you can't ride in the position

M

[benb]

Originally Posted by Louis

Next time, just get one of these:

Needs a parachute cause it's got no drag.

Good TT Position = 0.6
Lowest drag car ever made = 0.199
Faired Bent = 0.07
F-4 Phantom = 0.024

Also that giant aircraft only has about 3x the frontal area of a cyclist.

[Xrslug]

Originally Posted by Mikej

It puts an actual number on the savings, not just a random this is better, trust me. And it’s a pretty significant number at that.

I’m in this camp — it’s not a surprise narrower bars can lessen drag, it’s the degree that surprised me. According to the velodrome and wind tunnel testing done by Aerocoach (link I posted earlier), there is a 21 watt difference between its aerobar and a 42mm round profile handlebar for a 165 pound rider in the “flat arms on the hoods” position at 28mph. Even assuming a pro level FTP that’s a big chunk of watts.

[charliedid]

Not sure my handling skills are up to the task of a 30cm road bar. Sounds terrifying beyond a straight TT.