Aero frames and crosswinds
2
Member
102 days
Matt B. posted 9 weeks ago.
I have a TTX 9.5 and I rode it this past weekend in 20+ mph winds. You are correct as far as the "kite" effect goes. Those strong of winds will push my bike around pretty good. The only time I ever droped below 20 mph was going up a hill or directly into the wind. The wind comming from the side did not have much of an effect on speed but it did on handling. I am 6'3" and weigh around 170lbs. Here is a question for you. Do you get winds like this all the time or every now and then? The winds we had were here on Saturday and gone on Sunday.
89
Member
289 days
burnman posted 9 weeks ago.
We have a variety of wind conditions, but weather changes for any venue. The only weather that matters is that on race day, so you have to be prepared for anything. When you spec out new equipment, you have to consider how it's going to operate under the worst (race appropriate) conditions. The aero frame may help me slip through a 20mph headwind, but how hard will I need to lean into a 20mph crosswind? Energy devoted to handling is energy lost from propulsion. The same goes for riding on a crappy surface where a lot of your energy goes into dampening vibration and overcoming momentum loss.
2
Member
102 days
Matt B. posted 9 weeks ago.
The only thing that I put on my bike for a race are a set of HED Jet 60's. That is only if there is not much of wind. You won't want to lean to hard into a cross wind or you may end up in a ditch or plowing into the side of another cyclist/vehicle. It almost happened to me a couple of times when I was out Saturday.
478
Member
1328 days
kona_expat posted 9 weeks ago.
The only crosswinds I've faced that had me all over the road were in Kona, and those were brutal. 20MPH winds? Those aren't bad. I ride a Griffen, and I really like how it handles in crosswinds. I'm really light (5'3" 110), and maybe I just know how to ride in crosswinds, but I don't seem to have trouble being "all over the road." Same goes on my Pinarello road bike, which is even lighter. Once I feel that first gust, I guess I just remember how to ride in that stuff. I think it must just be an acquired skill.
Now, I won't use my disk wheel unless wind speed is under 20. But I've used it (on the Griffen) in 15MPH winds including cross winds with no trouble.
YMMV
2311
Member
1185 days
Triguy98 posted 9 weeks ago.
I wouldnt worry about crosswinds slowing you down at all. The riders all over the road simply dont know how to handle the bike. Your wheels may have a bigger affect on handling in winds. And even then, with practice, you can learn to handle even a disc wheel in most conditions. 60mm rims are not going to be bad no matter how wild the winds.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
18
Member
75 days
SDtriman posted 9 weeks ago.
It comes down to being comfortable with your bike. I know that first time I rode my tribike in heavy cross winds I was all over the place but now that I am comfortable with it I have no problem.
Mox
18
Member
75 days
SDtriman posted 9 weeks ago.
It comes down to being comfortable with your bike. I know that first time I rode my tribike in heavy cross winds I was all over the place but now that I am comfortable with it I have no problem.
Mox
92
Member
995 days
NotAsFast posted 9 weeks ago.
6'4" 230 and no issues with the wind unless it is in my face. But, to be reasonably fair on the two riders you observed, did you survey their drinking habits the night before.......
I have very extensive knowledge of aerodynamics, and I fully understand the utility of incorporating aerodynamic profiles into a bike (both linear and rotational). However, I have a functional question regarding crosswinds that is better answered by experience. Although the least aerodynamic variable is the rider, does anyone (particularly light riders) shy away from aerodynamic frames due to crosswind drag (or off-axis winds period)?
The other day, I came up behind a pair of riders and noticed that one was riding a lean round-tube Trek road frame (tri-customized) while the other was riding a heavily-outfitted TTX (9.5 I believe). Winds that day were a steady 5-10mph with gusts up to around 20mph, and the guy on the TTX was all over the place. These guys both appeared to be the same size as me (5-9, 140lb), and neither was riding deep rims. Can anyone relate to this "kite" effect, either pro or con? It's one of my primary concerns when I consider switching to an aero frame.